Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum

So why the watch?

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Shakesthecoffecan:
Why the watch? Never enough time.

LauraGigs:

--- Quote from: retropian on January 10, 2009, 05:42:44 am ---I like all of the suggestions above. My own thought is that the watch symbolises the heart, think The Wizard of OZ and the Tinman. It's Ennis's heart that is about to be activated, that's why he gets the watch, not Jack. Jacks heart (capacity for love) is already ticking. Ennis keeps the watch in his pocket because he's not the type to wear his heart on his sleeve.

--- End quote ---

In his chest pocket — right next to his heart.

Yeah, great posts, both of you!

Brown Eyes:
This really is a wonderful thread.  Great observations everyone!

I think if we really combed through the film we'd probably see or hear many different references to time.  Definitely the watch at the beginning and the clock in Jack's childhood room at the end are super significant.  And, of course the "never enough time" is the clearest open articulation of the problem of time in their relationship.

But, then, there's also the big, giant, fancy gold watch that Jack wears in his truck on the way to visit Ennis in the post-divorce scene.

And, things like the seconds being announced during the barrel racing contests, etc. all make the concept of time foregrounded a lot and in different ways both visually and verbally.

optom3:

--- Quote from: atz75 on January 11, 2009, 02:37:28 am ---This really is a wonderful thread.  Great observations everyone!

I think if we really combed through the film we'd probably see or hear many different references to time.  Definitely the watch at the beginning and the clock in Jack's childhood room at the end are super significant.  And, of course the "never enough time" is the clearest open articulation of the problem of time in their relationship.

But, then, there's also the big, giant, fancy gold watch that Jack wears in his truck on the way to visit Ennis in the post-divorce scene.

And, things like the seconds being announced during the barrel racing contests, etc. all make the concept of time foregrounded a lot and in different ways both visually and verbally.



--- End quote ---

I had forgotten about that fancy watch Jack was wearing, post divorce. He sure went up in the world financially. That gives us yet more contrasts. Jack with his fancy watch,Ennis not really moved forward financially at all.
Yet there is also the dichotomy of Jack and his obvious financial success, in stark contrast with his failure in matters of the heart.
He arrives singing, whistling and on such a high. He leaves crying, watch visible, yet on such a low.

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