Howdy BetterMostians,
this week we have the extras and small roles of the movie as topic.
Extras are mostly overlooked and not factored in when interpreting specifics. But boy, how important they are. Imagine Ben Hur without extras ;). Would look pretty empty ;D.
So extras are filler elements.
Another purpose of them is to set a specific surrounding, specific mood or make the circumstances of a scene immediately recognizable.
Since Ang Lee and crew took so many efforts with small details, I believe (some) extras in Brokeback Mountain serve more purpose than just being 'fillers' respectively setting for the main characters.
Take for example the heavily tattooed lady we see when Ennis dances with Cassie for the second time. I know we've talked about her a little, but to many her appearance is still puzzling.
Some of the extras or very small roles are really outstanding and (possibly) carry meaning. Similar to props like containers or the cross in Ma Twist's kitchen.
Here are some characters of extras/very small roles which I find outstanding:
- The tattooed lady when Ennis dances with Cassie for the second time
- Little boy with firecracker; Fourth of July scene
- Old man, sitting, with US flag; also Fourth of July scene
- Saleswoman in Monroe's grocery store
- Bartender suggesting calf roping in the Jimbo scene
- Bartender when Jack is waiting for a maitin' call
- The Basque
- Jack-like guy in Ennis's alley
- Older man in Jack's alley (Mexico)
- Guys with white hats/black hats surrounding E&J
What do you make of them? Are there more examples which come to your mind? Or do you disagree with some of the listed examples as being „outstanding“?
(http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m47/Penthesilea06/TOTW/ExtrasCollage2.jpg)
I was just looking around on Striped Wall for certain images of extras/ minor characters, and it's interesting to see how many of those types of shots Striped Wall does not have available. The incidental/ in-between moments are not actually captured frame-by-frame as are the major scenes between Jack and Ennis.
What I was looking for was a picture of the ominous figure who walks by outside the window of the bus station/ diner at the very beginning of that scene. It's a dark figure with a dark hat, and I've always had a very grim feeling about that figure. To me it signals that Jack is now gone... or it's almost like a visualization of him leaving the film.
While I like your interpretation, Amanda, after a closer look, the guy with the hat appears to be Carl (with Cassie just before they enter the building).
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/ffrraann/movies/CMCapture3.png)
There is another guy on the other side of the street, walking in the opposite direction, but he's hatless.
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa188/ffrraann/movies/CMCapture6.png)