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

Why is the "dozy embrace" in the film?

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coffeecat33:
Sorry. But all I can think of is, WOW. This is a great thread and I wish I had a little more energy to dissect it. It's interesting, Annie Proulx said that (essentially) Jack & Ennis had a life of their own, the story has a life of its own, and the movie has a life of its own. As far as including the dozy embrace in the film, well it is a film and some things need to be explained visually and including for visual and cinematic effect. (Please note I am not suggesting anything was done in this film 'just because' - rather I think Ang Lee was very deliberate with his choices.) I tell you what... I love someone to embrace me from behind, I love embracing someone from behind (I am talking standing up hugs, people!) and I think Ennis embracing Jack from behind - in contrast to the violently passionate first tent scene that was also from behind - was so loving, tender and quietly passionate. This scene breaks my heart more than any other. Jack is so beautiful, Ennis so sweet that I can hardly stand it.

dly64:

--- Quote from: Samrim on July 26, 2006, 02:18:29 pm ---Although I regard the 'dozy embrace' scene as pivotal, and almost overpoweringly emotional, and it reduces me to pathetic snivels with monotonous regularity, I still feel it doesn't fit comfortably into the lake side scene. Early on it had ME confused too about what was going on, even though we now know just how powerful a metaphor it is for the bond between our boys!
Having said that, I haven't a clue where it would fit any better, possibly AFTER Ennis had driven away that last time! (Gulp) :-\
--- End quote ---

I, on the other hand, find that it fits perfectly where it is. Jack and Ennis have just had their most intense and personal confrontation in their long-term relationship. The flashback serves as a counterpoint to what their relationship has become. They spent twenty years going through the wringer … and we, the audience, have gone through it with them. The flashback serves as a reminder of what they had while on the mountain … a loving, unvarnished, and open relationship.



--- Quote from: jpwagoneer1964 on July 26, 2006, 03:04:57 pm ---The only part I don't like about the 'dozey embrace" is the contrast of Jack's then to the then present. Heartbreaking. I do agree that Ennis does look into Jack's face from behind.
--- End quote ---

IMO, that is an important facet of the lake and “dozy embrace” scenes. It is that contrast that makes the flashback so poignant.


--- Quote from: coffeecat33 on July 26, 2006, 06:58:07 pm ---It's interesting, Annie Proulx said that (essentially) Jack & Ennis had a life of their own, the story has a life of its own, and the movie has a life of its own. As far as including the dozy embrace in the film, well it is a film and some things need to be explained visually and including for visual and cinematic effect. (Please note I am not suggesting anything was done in this film 'just because' - rather I think Ang Lee was very deliberate with his choices.) I tell you what... I love someone to embrace me from behind, I love embracing someone from behind (I am talking standing up hugs, people!) and I think Ennis embracing Jack from behind - in contrast to the violently passionate first tent scene that was also from behind - was so loving, tender and quietly passionate. This scene breaks my heart more than any other. Jack is so beautiful, Ennis so sweet that I can hardly stand it.
--- End quote ---

I agree with you are saying. The one thing I want to reiterate …. and I know it sounds like I am nitpicking (which I have been known to do from time to time) …. is that there is a difference between embracing and holding. Holding is a lot more intimate. Think of marital vows … “to have and to hold”. I know I have said this earlier in this thread, so pardon my redundancy. However, it is worth repeating. Yes … Ennis can embrace Jack face to face, they kiss face to face, but Ennis is unable to hold Jack face to face. Think of the motel scene … Ennis is not facing Jack. The “dozy embrace” is the same way. IMO, it is a metaphor for Ennis’ being unable to face the reality that he loves a man and that he is, indeed, gay. Jack understands this to be true. He also knows that Ennis loves him, and that is all that really matters.

nakymaton:
You know, despite the whole not-looking-face-to-face metaphor, the sort of spooning position (standing, sitting, lying down, whatever) has the connotation of "protection" or "comfort" or "safety" to me. (Both the motel scene and the dozy embrace look very comforting to me.) Do other people see the position in the same way?

jpwagoneer1964:

IMO, that is an important facet of the lake and “dozy embrace” scenes. It is that contrast that makes the flashback so poignant.

 
[/quote]I agree with you the importance of the embrace and the timing. It's sad reflection on what their lives could have had when you see Jack as Ennis drives away, which of course is the point.

Front-Ranger:
Yes I do and I found it very poignant. Another movie where this is seen is "Hero" which is a Chinese movie made by one of Ang Lee's rivals. At the very end, the "hero" commits hari kari, and as he is waiting to die, the woman warrior who loves him comes up behind him and sits at his back, and talks to him. So they sit, facing the sunset, until she takes hold of the sword and forces it still further, into her own body. So they die in that position. When I saw it, it made me think of BBM.

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