Howdy, Roux, and all my BetterMost pardners:
Well, I'm happy to report that I'm not over this--not by a long shot! This ain't no little thing here, to be sure! I caught the end of Brokeback Mountain last night on HBO, at the moment of the "Do you ever get the feeling others know?" exchange; I found it quite by chance by flipping the channels.
I noticed it was showing on one of the regular HBO venues, and also at the same time on HBO's Spanish-language channel. Though my knowledge of Spanish is extremely rudimentary, I thought it would be fun to watch the movie through the end dubbed in Spanish. I noticed that the actor dubbing for Ennis said the Spanish equivalent of 'deceased' at the moment of the postcard receipt, and it was fun to hear the same man mimic Heath's hmmming, and the delicate giggle of the actress dubbing for Junior.
The closing shot faded out, and the credits started to roll, and the tears started to flow down my face all over again, just like I was seeing this beautiful story for the first time. My love, sympathy, and concern for Ennis was just as vivid and compelling as ever, as was my gratitude for Jack's gentle, nurturing spirit, and my regret for a lost moment in time stung at my heart as mysteriously as before, with the strange, inscrutable mountain itself looming over my rapt spirit.
I was amazed at the enduring power of this great work of art, which came through with such force even through the medium of a foreign language. Something has changed within me because of my encounter with Jack and Ennis, and, like Mel has intimated, I'm not at all sure I'll ever be able to fully explain it. But I will use the rest of my lifetime in the attempt.
With gratitude and love for you all,
Scott