Yes, and I wish I had taped it. I thought it was hilarious. I wouldn't put too much stock in that montage without seeing the material it was taken from. Too much was probably taken out of context.
Del, I think you're totally right that those clips were probably really out of context, but I think that montage was also hitting on something really significant about the tradition of those films. It was meant to be funny, and it definitely was, but at its core I think there was something pretty serious there to consider.
I would love it if someone here knew which films were in that montage... or knew of a source on the internet where it happened to be saved or discussed.
I dont usually participate in these discussions, but I felt compelled to make my
ideas known. I think that the entire term cowboy is an iconic image.
It deals with a person or persons that do certain things. Mostly having to do with
riding a horse. Tending stock, and spending a great deal of the daily chore out of doors.
If we are discussing Brokeback Mountain as a genre. To me it fits completely on the side
of a western. The time is not as we typically think of as "western" in the past.
The elements are all there however. The hero, in this case there are two heros. The protagonist. In this case its not just one person. Then society in general, is the antagonist. Not just a single black hat baddie. The leader of
that pack, as per the ones in the older "westerns" started as Aguirre. He is also related
to the squeeler in the old westerns. The one that give the hero a difficult task to perform. Making the choices he has to employ in order to continue to live. Stopping a bad guy from hurting the innocent, or unprepared. and makes him feel
in danger. From whatever source his danger derives.
Just because it is written in the modern time, doesnt make it any less a "western."
The love story is an integral part of the movie, as in most "westerns it is." It just so
happens that it is between two men. Thus giving new impetus to the story. The hero, and his love, fighting the inevitable foes that they encounter . Wherether real or imagined, that is the foe, nonetheless.
As to the Marlboro Man or the James Dean characterization. Giant was not in the
least a "western" in my opinion. It was as Del mentioned more of an epic soap opera.
Dean's character drawing on the typical gear and outfit of the rancher and cowboy, as
norm in dress and demeaner of the men. Having little education, and little to call their own.
I believe the downfacing way has more to do with the kind of people that are and were
drawn to that life style. The shy introverted type. The James Dean character that is shown on the movie cover, is totally different from the one in the beginning of the movie. He was the very epitome of the Ennis we recognize. But following the money making time he became rich, his personal look more polished and having a great deal of confidence. He showed upward facing charisma. I think that the advertising world knows
and understands the mystique of the legend and charisma of the "cowboy." Every
little boy, and many little girls also want to be a cowboy. They want a pony for Christmas.
Its an easy way to sell a product. Starting im sure with the popularity of the so called
"cowboy movies." People wanted to be one. Wanted to feel that they are living a
romantic iconic life instead of being a clerk, or a bean counter. Therefor they could lose
themself if only for a time, inside the darkened room. Pretend and be a cowboy. I think its basically the chicken or the egg question. I personally think the man, the gear, and clothing came because of the convenience of it to the job they did. Plus the funds that they could use. Then the Marlboro Man or some other advertisement took advantage, and
romanticised that visual. Then used it to sell a product. We would have to then ask
Heath where or not he used those as his prototypes...I believe he did to a great extent.
I think Ang Lee also made that his choice in the Ennis confine as well.
Thanks for this awesome and insightful post Janice! I'm glad you decided to jump in here!
Based on some of your great observations, one thing that I find interesting about BBM is the anxiety that it produces in certain viewers and critics. And, I think this goes beyond the issue of sexuality... I think it has a lot to do with exposing aspects of western culture... modern western culture often glossed over by the cultural ideals (whether depicted in movies, ads, toys, etc.). BBM in a way seems to be about the end of an era in western culture or about exposing things like the impoverishment and struggles of small towns in the economic climate of the '60s, '70s and '80s. Ennis and Jack are presented as glamorous (in the casting of handsome actors, primarily)... but, as you note really well, they're definitely
not heroic in the typical, hollywood glamour type of cowboy. They're definitely not Clint Eastwood.
<img src="http://www.divshare.com/img/thumb/3120055-94f.jpg" border="0" />I mean Ennis is posed in the classic Marlboro Man pose at the beginning, but
he can't even afford to smoke one full cigarette. Something about this gesture of snuffing out the cigarette and carefully saving it is just so significant... like a clue that the icon here is different or going to be challenged in this film.
<img src="http://www.divshare.com/img/midsize/3014728-fa2.jpg" border="0" />I think it's very, very unsettling for some audiences to have their icons challenged or questioned. And BBM does this in multiple ways (and again, not just having to do with sexuality). I mean Ennis is presented as very macho and strong and tough... but through the narrative of the film we know how much fear, anxiety and worry he carries around constantly. The idea that the toughest-guy-in-town (demonstrated by Ennis in the fireworks scene) might simultaneously be a very frightened, closeted gay man involved in a serious love affair with another man, I think is tremendously treatening to a mainstream ideal when it comes to the western or cowboy icon.
The simple fact that he's not as confident as he
appears is enough to be threatening (without any of the other elements). The idea that the cowboy-image may be a facade (masking over lots of different social realities)... and probably always has been a facade... could be a deeply troubling.
<img src="http://www.divshare.com/img/midsize/3119324-116.JPG" border="0" />******
As a footnote to the Clint Eastwood topic... I thought this comparison was cool.
<img src="http://www.divshare.com/img/thumb/3120054-d3b.jpg" border="0" /><img src="http://www.divshare.com/img/3120051-261.jpg" border="0" />I always thought that Clint Eastwood giving Ang Lee/ BBM the Golden Globe for best picture (I think it was the Golden Globes... I often mix up the award ceremonies) was an amazing passing of the torch in the best possible sense.
