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Is Ennis in the shrt story more tender/loving than in the film?

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optom3:
It struck me while reading(yet again) the story ,that Ennis comes across as slightly more tender and loving than he does in the film.One example being the reunion scene,where Proulx states "and Ennis not big on endearments.said what he said to his horses and daughters,little darlin"
Later in the motel scene he admits to Jack what happened when he left him saying he figured his gut wrenching moment was "that I shouldn't a let you out a my sights "

We know I think,that Ennis truly loves his daughters,as it is a love he can comfortably express,so by using the same phrase to Jack as he does to His daughters,we can deduce (I think) that he loves Jack.
I know that books and films are not exact copies of each other,what I find unusual,is that usually we have to fill in more gaps as a reader,than when watching a film.Yet here is the reverse.

Was it done because Ang wanted to add more pathos to the final scene,was he trying to make us the audience use our own imaginations,rather than being spoon fed.Or did he simply think that some members of society, would take the little darlin phrase, as a step too far,in an already potentially risque film.

 Personally, I would love to have heard him say, little darlin, and also admit to Jack,he wished he had not let him go.The former because it is just so loving,and the latter because in the end Jack does go. Ennis has in fact let him go once,through choice ,and then again by his untimely death.So to me it would have added even more tragedy, by knowing that Ennis realises he has let go twice.

I suppose I would also have liked to see Jack have the small crumbs of comfort in the film that he does in the book.

I would appreciate any opinions,as it continues to bother me.

Penthesilea:
Great observations and questions Fiona!  :)

I think there's more than one reason for Ennis' different behaviour. One is that Ennis in the story is more conscious about himself and his feelings for Jack. Therefore he can be more vocal about it.

Another reason is that the reunion sequence (from which your examples are) is different in movie and story. And Ang Lee gave us (and Jack) other small tender moments: the prayer of thanks for example.

A third reason is that Ang could give us visuals Annie Proulx couldn't (well, theoretically, she could have, but it would have made another story): the way Ennis' face lits up when he exits his car at the camping trip where Jack puts the corn into a pot, the embrace that follows, Ennis beaming at Jack after they untangled the Chilean sheep from theirs, the third tent scene, etc.

Penthesilea:
And The Nuzzle! How could I forget this? There was a whole thread dedicated to it ("Ode to The Nuzzle" on IMDB back then; I think it might well be in the Remarkable writings from IMDB rewound forum).

loneleeb3:
I agree.
The Ennis in the movie is much harder and more reserved than the Ennis in the book.
I loved that in the story where he calls Jack Lil Darlin.
It is one of the most beautiful endearments. However, in the movie we get the Dozy Embrace and I think that makes up for it. That is one of the most tender and moving scenes from any movie. It is so short lived though. I hate where it cuts from sweet sleepy Jack watching Ennis ride up the tend the sheep to older angry Jack watching Ennis drive away! Again.

optom3:

--- Quote from: Penthesilea on March 01, 2008, 01:35:09 pm ---And The Nuzzle! How could I forget this? There was a whole thread dedicated to it ("Ode to The Nuzzle" on IMDB back then; I think it might well be in the Remarkable writings from IMDB rewound forum).

--- End quote ---

Love that scene,and also when they are in the motel and rather than reply to Jack,Ennis just rubs his arm.Lost count of how many times I have watched those scenes.I wonder if one day I will watch them without a years supply of tissues.

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