There are so many! The first that springs to mind for me, happens during Ennis' meeting with Jack's Dad. When John Twist talks about another fella moving up to Lightening Flat, Heath's slight, saddened smile disappears and his nostrils flare. Fantastic.
The single finest acting moment, in my mind, has been mentioned by several already. It's the subtle change and the emotions expressed in Ennis's face when OMT says that bit about the "other fellow, the ranch neighbour". It's so subtle yet it's so clear that these words delivered a devastating and cruel blow to Ennis and he's fighting with everything he has to process this terrible news (and the spite with which they were said) and yet to hold on to some sort of stoic composure. Best Acting Moment Ever. Though also extremely difficult to watch, for that reason....
Runner-up IMO is the whole reunion scene between Ennis and Jack. I don't know how many times I've watched that, on the net, in the film... I never tire of it. It's my favourite film scene of all time. It shows everything that is between them.. the longing, the love, the passion, caution, joy, confusion, despair, relief, comfort... Dividing it up into still images proves the perfection.. every single image shows a nuanced yet eloquent new set of emotions on their faces, in their body language. (And it's totally hot - let's not forget. :P )
Really,seeing this is difficult to believe they were only friends.
Amen.
3) The fight between Jack and Ennis at the lake. The intensity of the nose-to-nose conflict when they're really having it out about Mexico is really wonderful. Both Ennis's intensity in his threats and Jack not flinching or backing down even slightly. Sometimes I don't think Jake gets enough credit in this scene for how good it is. The "I did once" delivery just seems pitch-perfect to me too.
Wow. My "moment" is also when Ennis realizes there was "another fella." I nearly died the first time I saw that. It ripped my heart right out of my chest. Few among us have not felt that combination of pain, anger and nausea upon finding out there was someone else, and Heath captured it perfectly with subtle expression changes. I've honestly never seen an actor portray so much while not saying a word. The nuances in this scene alone should have won him the Oscar.Amen again. Beyond description. And still unbelievable that he didn't.
Oh!! Jack's mother. When she says "you are welcome to go up there, if you want..." with a hand on his shoulder and a look of understanding and acceptance, and the way Ennis immediately picks up on it... his expression is so grateful and relieved, and as he silently acknowledges this unspoken pact, you can tell he knows there's a reason she's sending him up there. And as Ennis is standing at the door with her on the way out, the way he mouths "thank you for this" while gesturing down at the bag he's holding... again, I nearly died. Just amazing acting.
The "I did once" delivery just seems pitch-perfect to me too.Amen!
There are so many! The first that springs to mind for me, happens during Ennis' meeting with Jack's Dad. When John Twist talks about another fella moving up to Lightening Flat, Heath's slight, saddened smile disappears and his nostrils flare. Fantastic.
When Ennis is first looking at the shirts and gradually realizes what they are, over a few seconds as he handles them - first the sleeves etc. Unbelievably subtle changes in expression and body attitude show what is going on in his mind. But really, Heath's whole performance is unreal, it's not even acting. I don't know what to call it! He is not playing Ennis; he is Ennis.
Seems like the very best moments are silent.
The nuances in this scene alone should have won him the Oscar.
Also, when Cassie is tearing him a new one at the truckstop/diner (whatever it is) and he says "I'm sorry." Dear God. This was a totally broken man. You could tell at this moment that there was no fight left in him. He was done.
One of my favorite acting moments is when Ennis is talking about his life - "the more than I've spoken" scene - when Ennis realizes Jack is looking at him and says "Whut" with that puzzled look in his eyes. This scene is open of the most open Ennis scenes that I know of. It is incredible how he begins to open up to Jack.
In honour of the day, MSN has compiled what they beleive are the 10 sexiest movie kisses of all time.
I surely do agree with them that the reunion kiss is on their list, though I don't agree with their no. 6 placement of my favourite movie kiss ever.....
Then again, 6 of the other kisses on their list are from the 1940's and 50's, so at least the reunion is up there with the big contemporary classics. I wonder whether Heath and Jake knew just how well they managed to nail that scene when they'd just made it.
http://movies.msn.com/new-on-dvd/feature-article/?news=299569
Jakes voice in the post-divorce scene. Gawd, it almost broke my heart.
Of course, the reunion kiss also stands out because it's such a moment of pure joy and relief.
Does anyone have a clip of Jake accepting the "best kiss" award at the MTV Movie Awards? Didn't he say something about the fact that both he and Heath were sort of hoping for the "best kiss" award while shooting it... of course, he was probably semi-joking based on the exact context of the award show. And, do you all remember how much people were wondering and speculating about whether or not Jake and Heath would re-enact the kiss (as actors often to at the MTV Movie Awards)?
Erm... this probably doesn't belong here, perhaps we should have a separate thread for "lists of "best this and that" which include Brokeback and Jack&Ennis" -
4) Ennis' face when he asks Junior if Kurt loves her and she replies that yes he does. To me that's when he actually reliazed just what he and Jack had had all those years and what he's lost. That is when he finally gives up and grieves properly.
The hitch in her voice
The way Jack's face fell during the post-divorce scene. You could actually watch the look of utter devastation cross his face.
1) Alma's Confrontation With Ennis - This scene work on so meant levels. The way Alma starts off trying to be cold, but slowly becomes so detached and emotionally hurt to the situation. Michele hits Alma at the right levels and the scene could not of been done better. It was like i was reading the book. She hit the right note. In my option she deseverd the Oscar. Apparently she did'nt get it cause she wasnt in the movie enough. But this scene here makes a lot of the movie.
4 me, there is no "acting" in this movie - just honesty.
This from a former actor who sucked (thus former), so what do I know.
All examples cited are extraordinary. Yet, every moment of this movie is so amazingly executed, it moves beyond "acting" into another category entirely. 2 cents.
. . . And as Ennis is standing at the door with her on the way out, the way he mouths "thank you for this" while gesturing down at the bag he's holding...
Well I am going to mention one that has not been discussed. It is however in my opinion a very crucial, and pivotal part in the story. I think she never received the credit that she was due. I think it was because the rest of the cast was already nominated, they thought since her role was a smaller one. She didnt deserve the nomination. Pity. . .
. . . I have always thought that Lureen on the phone to Ennis was perfection. . .
. . . If she never does anything more than the teen fair of the Princess Diaries again. Simply because of the wonderful way she portrayed Lureen. The beautiful bouncy and sparkling Texas princess, to the lonely wife, "Why is it men never want to dance with their wives?" To the obviously distraught widow. She played it all, with perfection.
Unless an actor is inconsistent in their performance (for instance, an accent that comes and goes); looks like (s)he is reading from cue cards; or their manner, speech, or actions don't somehow seem to fit the overall piece, I go with the flow, figuring that's just how that character is supposed to be.
If I buy it within the context of the piece, it's good acting to me. If it touches me in some way, that's great acting.
Oh yes, the scene where Ennis is waiting for Jack to arrive.....I remember the first time I saw the film, I was sitting there thinking "now what is gonna happen here when they meet up again"..."are they gonna act like Brokeback never happened?, just act like buddies?" and I guess that comes from the way Ennis was acting, so fidgety, and uncomfortable, even to the point that he may have even been getting bored and frustrated from having to wait all day for Jack...sitting back and closing his eyes, like he had come to the point of "well, I dont give a dam".......the frustration of the day is not only felt by Ennis but by us watching the movie, waiting, waiting to see what happens..........and then that smile, that wonderful wonderful smile on Ennis's face when he sees him, and then I think we know whats gonna happen before it does......So then, its WE know, Ennis knows, and Jack doesnt.....until that grasping embrace, that hard aching kiss and then the look from Jack, and finally, finally, WE all are there, chests pounding, feeling the presssures of their bodies andl lips pressing into each others, hands grasping and holding each other so dam hard, like nothing else exists......OMG has there ever been a scene with so many emotions.
One other scene I love,whilst it simultaneously breaks my heart, is when they are sat round the camp fire.They have been talking of who else they have been seeing ,and then silence,followed by Jack saying,'tell you what truth is,sometimes I miss you so bad I can hardly stand it"
I so ache for Ennis to say something,anything,that would let Jack know he feels the same.
We the audience are just left with the deathly silence, and a million things left unsaid. Jack can hardly stand the pain, and for Ennis ,it is as hard as always to articulate what he feels.All we get is 'the look"
The only thing that makes it bearable, for me at least,is when the film then cuts to the two of them in the tent,with Ennis wrapped round Jack.A moment I love,because of its pure simplicity.One single shot that tells such a tale. In sleep we see the true love that Ennis has for Jack. It is almost childlike in its portrayal. The way a mother curls round her child,simultaneously,loving and protecting it.
Also as someone has mentioned previously, metaphorically,protecting the back of the person you love. Like so much of the film, a brief moment,which manages to convey so much more.
1) Alma's Confrontation With Ennis - This scene work on so meant levels. The way Alma starts off trying to be cold, but slowly becomes so detached and emotionally hurt to the situation. Michele hits Alma at the right levels and the scene could not of been done better. It was like i was reading the book. She hit the right note. In my option she deseverd the Oscar. Apparently she did'nt get it cause she wasnt in the movie enough. But this scene here makes a lot of the movie.
One other scene I love,whilst it simultaneously breaks my heart, is when they are sat round the camp fire.They have been talking of who else they have been seeing ,and then silence,followed by Jack saying,'tell you what truth is,sometimes I miss you so bad I can hardly stand it"