Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 23/08: Jack, his mother and The Shirts
belbbmfan:
I get goosebumps just reading this thread...
There ain't no reins on this one
wayne1932:
Mothers don't always know. too much generalization can confuse the issue. And then they may know and not what to acknowleddge what they know.
Case in point. I knew my son was gay before his mother did, and he was about 30 when this became apparent to her. But there is a mitigating factor here. I knew that I could have been as queer as a 3$ bill since I was 13, IF!!! I had met the right man under the right circumstances. But in those days (I'm 75 YO) the right circumstances were very rare and the right man was as much in denial about what could be as I was.
optom3:
--- Quote from: Mandy21 on August 26, 2008, 02:41:43 pm ---Fiona, once again, you've given me goosebumps with your words and perceptions. How do you do that to me so easily??? You really ought to write a book or something; I'd be first in line to buy it ;)
There are some parts of BBM that no one could possibly sway my opinion on, and then there are parts like the scene with the shirts, where I've always waffled and wondered what it really meant. I think it was huge that that was the first scene where the camera pans to the perspective of the object Ennis is about to find, looking out at Ennis, rather than honing in on the actors/action. I knew right then that there was going to be a gigantic revelation. And the more I read yours and other's words on this thread, I'm more convinced that that revelation came of how much Ennis was loved, and Jack was loved in return, comes full-circle, finally after 20 years, in the span of about two minutes. Next time I watch it this week, I'll think of that scene from your eyes, thank you.
On a sidebar, I've read a lot of stuff about mother's intuitions and their innate protectiveness of their children. Not being a mom, I wouldn't know. Watching my poor mom being shuttled between the nursing home and the hospital lately, dying of 6 kinds of cancer -- I wish I could ask her what she knew about me that I never spoke out loud. But maybe it's best I don't know, cause I haven't exactly been the least naughty of girls in my life. Perhaps I should just let her rest, never knowing for sure....
--- End quote ---
You are so kind, thankyou for your lovely words.My main subjects were always science, but because I have always loved literature, I kept up with that as well.So many friends, to whom I write mails, ask why I don't write a book.I have written a few poems which are posted on Bettermost somewhere. Maybe on Hallmark, I can't remember.I do know that your words, lifted my spirits which have been saging a bit recently.
Gabreya:
The shirts will always symbolize love and togetherness. Always. And for the record, Jack's mom is probably one of the most sweetest people on movie screen, despite her role was small but relevant.
brokeplex:
--- Quote from: injest on August 25, 2008, 11:04:50 pm ---I am sure she did. I know I have found things in my son's room that are obviously private....you have to respect that privacy. Denial is a form of protection sometimes. Covers for things you can't/shouldn't talk about.
But she would have put two and two together..the shirts appeared after that summer. Ennis also appeared, in her son's conversation. I can't imagine Jack would have ever said a word bad about Ennis...so "like the horse thief that can't help flashing a glimpse of the bridle" his tone, his demeanor would have given him away to his mother.
--- End quote ---
agreed, I don't think that its any more complicated than that. Jack probably left the shirts in OMT's house, and his mother inquired about them, and she figured out that they had a deep significance that should be respected. Did Jack keep them hanging in the closet all of those years? Maybe not, maybe he kept them in a drawer. Hanging on a nail for 20 years, and the shirts would have deteriorated, as unwashed cloth will do over time.
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