Maybe it's been said before, but it deserves being repeated if it had been said
I LOVE Ennis' vulnerability at the beginning of the movie. In the bar scene, he's so fragile, sucking slowly on his beer (can't afford many more - compared to Jack), taking out his half used cigarette (gotta pace his cigs usage - they cost money too - even rollies), borrowing the lighter, and answering in such weighed words - never one word too many.
Starboardlight, on another thread brought out the resemblance of this scene to the other bar scene where Alma Jr. is just as insecure, and weighs every one of her few words to express herself "You're good enough, I guess..." (at practically the same age as her daddy was at the beginning of the movie!)