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

TOTW 03/09: What Was the Attraction?

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LauraGigs:
Many facets of the Jack + Ennis relationship have been discussed.  But what of the origin of it?
(The feelings that started it all, and the ones that kept them together despite the obstacles?)

What do you think the attraction was?  Each of them had met and worked with many other people.  Why was this different?  What attracted Jack to Ennis?  What attracted Ennis to Jack?

ohiomyown:
In my opinion, the attraction was a learned one, not instantaneous; it was not based on looks.
They each possessed the qualities that the other needed to complete them. 

First came respect when they each saw that the other pitched in and worked just as hard
as they did.  They were good partners and each knew the right way to prepare a campsite
and tend sheep.

Steady, hard working Ennis found fun and laughter with talkative Jack.  Jack asked a lot of
questions, but unlike many people he listened to Ennis.

Jack was attracted to the quiet thoughtfulness of Ennis, he looked up to him because he was solid.

They had empathy and compassion for each other's hard life.

Eventually, they found a friend who treated them fairly and enjoyed their company.  It's hard to
resist someone who Likes you a lot.

Finally, they were total babes,  and they couldn't get enough of each other!
Judy

Luvlylittlewing:
I think looks had a lot to do with it,  but in Jack's case, I'm sure he was attracted to and fascinated by Ennis' work ethic and his capacity to grin and bear it.  I think Jack saw Ennis as a sort of challenge: he wanted to see if he could pull solid, stoic Ennis out of his shell.

Ennis was certainly attracted to Jack's jest for life.  Jack had a can do attitude, and he actually dared to dream that a good life was within his grasp.  Jack also listened to every word that Ennis spoke, and that flattered Ennis.  Jack made Ennis happy.  He was solicitous and supportive: very attractive to a lonely man like Ennis.

Brown Eyes:
I actually think they were attracted to each other at first glance.  I think that's what the silent beginning of the movie is meant to convey.  The stolen glances, Jack's posturing against the truck, etc., I think were all meant to indicate they were immediately interested in each other.  I think the silence also indicates that the attraction, initially, was already physical and based on visual attraction.  Ennis sneaking glances at Jack on Brokeback prior to TS1 seem to echo the very early stolen glances that occur during the opening minutes of the film.

I also think the early bar scene (the scene from which the banner pic of Jack was taken) is meant to convey many symbols of attraction.  For instance, behind Ennis's head there is a dart board (you only see it when he moves his head around and when the camera is at certain angles).  I interpret the darts to be a very conventional symbol of the "prick of Cupid's darts or arrows."  And, Jack is literally "sitting in a ray of sunshine" in that early bar scene... from Ennis's POV, Jack already is in the role of a beloved or object of attraction.  Also, we've discussed the importance of the motion of Ennis and Jack's hands on their respective beer bottles... and the snap of attraction indicated by the shared lighter.  Fire, I think throughout the film is a symbol of attraction for Jack and Ennis.  In fact, I think Ang Lee loads the  beginning part of the film with almost over-determined symbols for attraction (while all of this, of course, remains unspoken).

So, initally, I think their attraction is like many couple's inital attraction.  Physical, a desire to listen to one another and to attract the attention of the other, etc.  But as their friendship/ relationship progresses things get much deeper.  Eventually, I think their attraction has everything to do with the yin and yang symbol.  They realize they're bound to one another because each one embodies character traits (often opposite traits) that the other one desperately needs to be complete and fulfilled.

Katie77:
I think Jack was eyeing Ennis off from the start, when he was looking at him thru the rear view mirror, and I think he was attracted to him from then...physically.

At that time, when Ennis sneaked a peek at Jack, I think he was thinking "who's this dude, why is he looking at me like that?"

Within days I think they had developed a mutual respect for each other, with both of them working together as hard as each other. And as has been said before, they listened to each other and both showed an interest in each other's past. I think Ennis felt comfortable with Jack, as is shown by how much he opened up to Jack, something he had obviously not felt before.

The first time I noticed an intimate attraction from Jack, was after Ennis fell off the horse, and the gentle way, Jack wiped his face, it was more than just a buddy type thing, it was something more, and I think Ennis noticed it too, thats why he grabbed the cloth from him.

I think Ennis was maybe noticing that the attraction Jack had for him, was a little bit more than what is usual for a couple of blokes to have, but I dont really think Ennis was looking or feeling that way towards Jack, he felt comfortable, he felt relaxed, he lked Jack's company, probably better than any other man he had kept company with, but I do not think the feeling was attraction and definately not, sexual attraction.

That did not happen until after TS1......when he rode up to the mountain, and gave himself space to think about what had happened, and exactly what he was feeling. I really dont think it was until that time on the mountain, when they had the "I aint queer" conversation, that Ennis felt more of an attraction to Jack, and from then it just got stronger and stronger.

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