Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 05/08: What do you make of the "Maybe Texas?" scene?
optom3:
--- Quote from: Sandy on February 19, 2008, 01:32:11 pm ---I wonder how Ennis would have reacted if Jack had said, "No, it's not normal-normal is with you", "yes, she suspects there's someone else" and "no, I don't think anyone who sees me automatically knows".
Would Ennis have moved to Texas!
--- End quote ---
I have pondered this as well.For once ,Ennis in the film appears to be showing some self awareness,albeit somewhat paranoid.If Jack had been more honest,who knows what may have transpired.Instead Ennis is left again feeling that it is only HIM who appears to the outside world to be obviously gay, whilst the viewer knows otherwise.
Maybe a more honest answer from Jack would have alleviated some of the fears of Ennis.After all to him it must now seem Jack is well adjusted, and yet again he is the neurotic one.
I know I should not bring up the book ,but in the motel scene in the book ,Ennis has already pondered whether others are like them, and if so what do they do .(go to denver quips jack) It is obviously something that preys on his mind.Not only that but he has obviously given the matter some consideration.For a man not overly prone to introspection this is quite revealing.
So on 2 occasions ,one in the book and one in the film,his serious and considered question has resulted in an almost flippant reply.I realise that thsi is part of the character of Jack,but how much more rewarding might have been the final outcome if his answer had been more considered. I realise this is only conjecture/wishful thinking. I just wonder, if Jack had admitted that he did feel people may have guessed ,and look hey Im still here alive, might that have been sufficient for Ennis to overcome his childhood "haunting" and take the plunge.
More wishful thinking,but then he would have been around to "protect" Jack from the incident. Ah well can't rewrite the whole thing,much as I may wish to!!!!
Artiste:
I think that Jack did worry somewhat about what Lureen did think.
Do you?
Hugs!
BBM-Cat:
--- Quote from: LauraGigs on February 19, 2008, 12:56:23 am ---I love your point, BBM-Cat, that Jack's non-empathy is a big mistake. Ennis truly feels alone in his dilemma (an island indeed), the perfect setup for him to get together with Cassie in the next scene. How can Ennis refuse when the perfect cover (or at least her feet) falls right in his lap?
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Thanks LauraGigs - you hit the nail on the head, empathy was certainly lacking. I always kind of cringe when I watch the 'Maybe Texas' scene, thinking Jack missed a big opportunity there. I don't think Jack displaying empathy and reassuring Ennis' fears would have ultimately changed anything as far as outcomes, but at least Ennis might not have felt so alone in his experience (rational or irrational). How I wish Jack had given just a tiny nod of acknowledgement or a soft 'yeah' to Ennis' questions about people 'knowing' or 'suspecting'. But as others have alluded that would have meant admitting to being queer.
And you're right, the perfect setup for Ennis to get together with Cassie.
Katie77:
I keep going back to the fact that Ennis was bottling all this up since the Thanksgiving argument with Alma.
He wanted a in-depth conversation with Jack, maybe he would have even told him about what Alma had said, told him about the "Jack Nasty".. maybe even find out if Laureen had ever said anything like that to Jack. Maybe even a warning to Jack, that Laureen might suspect too.
He had been bottling it all up, not being able to talk about it, he was hoping for something positive from Jack, I think. And of course, Jack's reply was NOT what he wanted.
injest:
--- Quote from: atz75 on February 18, 2008, 04:30:49 pm ---Nice chatting with you too Bud! It's a nice way to pass the time here at work. ::) ;D
Anyway, Randall is the guy on the bench with Jack. Yes, I think Jack is sort of stunned by the whole turn of events at that dinner dance. I think there's a lot of flirting between Jack and Randall at the table and then it is raised to the way-next level by Randall on the bench. I'm sure there are a million things running through Jack's mind at that point. One of which, may be "how does he know?". But, I think he's also weighing his options about saying yes or no... and he's also probably freaked out that Randall happens to suggest fishing (since that's his big association with Ennis).
On the other hand, I think Jack has particularly good "gaydar"... so I think he had Randall figured out at the table.
Ennis, on the other hand, during the main "maybe Texas" scene in question, seems to be (in part) worrying about "gaydar" in another way. Worried about how people are starting to perceive him. And, it really is interesting that here we almost hear Ennis admit that he understands that he's gay or at least "different."
Hey Janice! I think this post is great. I do think this scene illustrates just how much Ennis and Jack are stuck on their own issues and are almost speaking passed one another or at cross purposes. This scene really strongly demonstrates how much of a strain their relationship is under given the conditions placed on it.
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huh, my thought at that moment was that Jack was thinking of Ennis. Going to Mexico for a little relief is one thing....starting a new relationship with a man that knew him was different. to me it showed he was thinking of moving on from Ennis. and was very torn by the idea.
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