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?