Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Jack and Alma
Brown Eyes:
Heya bbm_stitchbuffyfan,
I agree about the dynamics between Ennis/Lureen and Jack/Alma. The phone scene between Ennis and Lureen is a bit like Alma seeing Jack and Ennis kiss. It's an equivalent epiphany moment for Lureen (doubly heartbreaking for her, realizing that she's talking to Jack's *true* love on the phone while still being in a state of grief herself. Whatever the state of her relaionship was with Jack, I'm sure she was grieving for Jack in her own way too).
On Alma's competitiveness... Clearly she lets loose with this sense of anger and rivalry in the Thanksgiving scene when she tells Ennis what she knows about him and calls Jack "Jack Nasty." I've always wondered if Ennis's extreme/ violent reaction here has a tiny bit to do with him being upset that Alma insults Jack. I know the main reason for his anger, definitely is over being 'outed.' But, still I really do wonder if the 'nasty' insult ruffled his feathers even more.
bbm_stitchbuffyfan:
Hey atz,
You see, I *always* associate Ennis' anger at the Thanksgiving scene with Jack. I know he's really uncomfortable and scared that Alma knows but watch how Ennis responds when she first says "Jack Twist..." and then caps off with "Jack Nasty." I think Ennis was not only trying to stick up for himself in that scene but also Jack.
I'm glad you also see the dynamics of Ennis/Lureen and Jack/Alma. I watched the DVD last night and looked for the expression. Was it after he said something along the lines of "Pleased to meet you, ma'am?" I bet there was a bit of animosity there. :)
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: bbm_stitchbuffyfan on April 22, 2006, 10:33:57 am ---I watched the DVD last night and looked for the expression. Was it after he said something along the lines of "Pleased to meet you, ma'am?" I bet there was a bit of animosity there. :)
--- End quote ---
Hi there,
Yes, it's really the very last moment before Jack backs out the door. It is after he says "Pleased to meet you". Maybe I'm reading way too much into it. But, to me he seems to look at Alma in an intense way for just a second or two. It reminds me of the intense look on his face in the "prayer of thanks" campfire chat when Jack says "you and Alma that's a life?" And Ennis replies by saying that the situation isn't Alma's fault. Jack looks at Ennis there in a pretty intense way there too. I chalk all of this up to a bit of competitiveness.
serious crayons:
Hey, Bud! Good to see you -- it's been a while, for some reason, and I'd begun to wonder why our paths hadn't crossed lately. Now, as usual, you have drawn me in with an intriguing thread.
In fact, I just referred earlier tonight to the Jack/Alma rivalry on a thread called (I just looked it up; I've been posting so promiscuously lately I couldn't remember off the top of my head) "Interesting post from the imdb board," on CT. This was in connection to something later -- the idea that Jack may have felt jealous of Cassie, even though Ennis clearly wasn't very concerned about Jack's fling with "the rancher's wife." I think this difference is also illustrated by Jack/Alma (tension) vs. Ennis/Lureen (little or no tension). Ennis doesn't care about Jack's male/female relationships, but Jack does.
I agree that Jack is staking his claim with Ennis back on Brokeback, with the laundry being the metaphor. Ennis, for his part, seems oblivious (just as, later, he seems OK with Jack's fling with the rancher's wife). In the reunion meeting between Jack and Alma, Ennis seems too happy and excited about Jack's presence to notice any undercurrents. In the "now you leave Alma out of this" he's just being fair and chivalrous and -- YES! -- Jack's look is very intense and I've always wondered what that was about! I think your idea that it's the rivalry emerging is exactly right.
I also am enlightened by your take on the Thanksgiving scene. I always interpreted it purely as Ennis being angry at being outed but, you're right, the "Jack Nasty" remark must have stung as well.
Brown Eyes:
Heya Friend,
Thanks for giving me the heads-up about the "Interesting post..." thread.
I'm beginning to feel that Jack was jealous of anyone/ anything that kept Ennis away (a little selfish but also probably pretty understandable). And, I do think that the "Jack Nasty" comment was very insulting to Ennis (and caused him to also feel protective of Jack). A judgment on Jack reflects back on Ennis and his own taste (taste in men, lovers, etc.). He's also proud of Jack I think. He's proud especially in the reunion scene when he introduces Jack to Alma. Ennis is just beaming and seems pleased as punch by Jack's witty little "smiles a lot" comment.
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