When I first saw this film, I had no love for Ennis, (to be honest) for a long time. He fought Jack at every turn, to be more committed to this relationship that lasted for twenty years. Jack's commitment to him was there, but Ennis was so fearful, and this is man who would fight at a drop of a hat. But yet couldn't or wouldn't fight for the love he had for Jack. I said "this just doesn't make sense" Jack was the one I admired, he was out there, and knew who he was, and what he wanted, and he wanted Ennis. Jack went through all the things that Ennis feared, the put down from Aguirre when he went back to work for him, the rodeo clown's rejection when he tried to come on to him. He went through all that, and Ennis just thought people were talking about him. But Jack kept on with life, even with the pain. Maybe I can have a better understanding of Ennis, I want to, but I couldn't help feel Ennis was a coward, and didn't appreciate Jack's love and commitment to him until after his death.
It seems that your evaluation of Ennis, like so many, is negative and exemplory of the desire to judge him basis contemporary measurements and 'what one might do today'. I think, conversely, that Ennis was far from coward status; unless one knows what it is to be bisexual or homosexual in the 1960s where Ennis was, one cannot imagine the need to put up a front. Regardless of one's opinion of 'what i would do', sheltering oneself from harm's way is not a sign of cowardice. Closeted behavior is not cowardice; rather it's a chosen lifestyle that works within a framework, sometimes comfortable, sometimes not very comfortable.
And, I do not think Ennis fought against Jack. Ennis was far more realistic; he accepted the responsibility of marriage for himself AND Jack (Jack would have walked from his wife and young child), he managed to meet with Jack under far greater difficulties than Jack had, he, apparently, was committed and faithful during their years together while Jack used the excuse of 'having to have more than 3-4 high altitude...". Jack, to me, put sex above his emotional commitment to Ennis more than once, particularly in the end. Ennis was the pillar of strength, the real man, the source of strength and solidarity, and voice of reason in an unreasonable situation.
I am also not sure Jack was "out there" and deserves great amounts of admiration for "knowing who he was". If so, why did he marry and have a child? Very selfish, indeed, if he was focused on Ennis.
both men sought safety zones within which to live and cope with their feelings; each was slightly different but not worlds apart. Ennis to me, however, is a tower of greatness in terms of how he tried to please, kept on giving, remained uncomplaining, and loved and appreciated the blessings he had. His line when he and jack were stream-side after their reunion "...I'm sending up a prayer of thanks...". He was grateful for what he had; he did not measure his joy, success, and love for what he did not have. There's a man who I'd stand in line to shake his hand.
