I'm going to open up a *really* broad topic here. But, the scene with Jack and Lureen in the back of the car has been on my mind a lot and it seems to come up for me in a number of different threads lately. I think it's a particularly intriguing scene because it seems to be mostly about her desire and sexuality while Jack is sort of swept along by it. She initiates a lot of the contact, she undresses herself, she's on top, etc. This seems to be an extraordinary moment in the context of BBM because the movie is so much about the men's sexuality.
So, I just wonder how people feel the movie treats the subject of female sexuality (again I know this is a big topic) when it comes to the main female characters in the film. Lureen, Alma, Cassie, and Alma Jr. in the last scene.
I'll start with some "starter" questions/ obervations (beginning with my Lureen observation above).
Alma:
I think one of the more disturbing aspects of the story and film with regard to this topic is Ennis's persistence in having sex with Alma in "positions" that she does not like. As much as I love Ennis, this is a really upsetting thing for me to deal with/ think about. As much as I sympathize with his dilemma and his own pain, I think the way he treats Alma in bed is one of the worst aspects of his character. And I don't recall this topic being hashed out in great depth too often. So, I'd be interested in hearing what people have to say about this.
Cassie:
Maybe somewhat similar to the situation with Lureen, we get a sense that Cassie is sexually confident and bold. She's not afraid to make first moves or ask guys to dance (as we see Lureen will do too). But, it seems that the movie treats Lureen and Cassie differently when it comes to this topic, but it's hard for me to pinpoint how. And, maybe both Cassie and Lureen are meant to illustrate different reactions to frustration.
Alma Jr.:
I always feel so sad at the end of the movie that Alma Jr. is getting married so young to a "roughneck". I know I'm supposed to feel happy that she's in love, etc. But, honestly, I feel sorry for her. I feel like she's shown to be trapped in a bit of a cycle of little opportunity and a narrow social sphere. It's also interesting that Ennis doesn't ask Alma Jr. if she's in love... only whether Kurt loves her. What's up with that?
And, this is a sort of selfish question about this topic for me... in a movie that's so much about exploring the nuances of the love between two men and gay male sexuality and the societal pressures put on those relationships (not just Jack and Ennis's but also Earl and Rich and even Randall in his situation), why is there seemingly no hint about gay female sexuality?
In my mind, when I put Alma, Alma. Jr, Cassie and Laureen together. I think Alma loves Ennis to the point that she will do anything for him so long as he is her's. I believe Alma is in denial about Ennis being in love with Jack. And she her self still loves him. So even though she doesn't like the sex that Ennis likes she will still consent to it because she wants to feel like he will be her's even if it is just an illusion. Alma consenting to something she doesn't like though or rather the way Ennis treats her in bed disturbs me too. Don't get me wrong though, I don't mind that particular form of sex, just so long as both parties enjoy it to the fullest.
Alma Jr, did get married quite young. (she was 20 right?) but I think Ennis only asked her if Curt loved her because he, having realized just in how much pain Alma Sr was in their relationship, didn't want Curt treating Ennis' daughter the same way. But I believe he trusted that his own Daughter knew what she was doing.
Cassie and Laureen to me are both similar in that they are more dominant, action type girls then Ennis was. Jack (like I said before) to me was more of an action guy which is probably what attracted him even remotely to Laureen and vice versa in the first place. Then you have the opposites attract (in some cases) like Ennis and Cassie. Ennis was the more quiet, subdued one, like I was hence my identifying as an Ennis when I was younger. Where as Cassie is the more talkative take charge one.
My feeling that there being no hint of female homosexuality or little hint of female bisexuality is because in the 60's it was probably more common for someone even a woman to hide their same sex attractions. And with women already being able to admire another woman in those days and do things non sexual that would make two men look gay, it was probably harder to spot the lesbians in society unless they themselves specified.
Thats just my interpretation. I'm going to read more of this thread.
Sincerely, Kat.