Hey Bud!
Great post! Well, things certainly become more complex once the story is added to the interpretive mix here. It's interesting to try to imagine where and how the filmmakers and screenplay writers displaced some of the conversations and details from the story into the film at various places. I think it's pretty clear that a lot of the details that we learn in the long "motel scene" in the story provide material for different scenes in the film. And, I think it's interesting to compare how story-Ennis seems compared to film-Ennis when this comes up. I think you're totally right that story-Ennis was quite self-aware by the time of the motel scene compared to film-Ennis in the movie version of the motel scene. Yes, I think in the story motel scene Ennis is quite open in explaining his feelings (without saying the word love, of course). I think film-Ennis has a much slower evolution emotionally. I think film-Ennis is in love with Jack by the time of the motel scene in the movie... but he may not be totally conscious of it yet (maybe).
So, I can certainly see how this later "maybe Texas" film scene could be a displacement of the conversation you highlight in your post. That makes sense to me.
And it is really striking the similarities in Jack's language... in the story it's "maybe go to Denver." And in the film it's "maybe Texas". These are great observations optom3!
But, I do think in the film that Jack is still really truly hoping that Ennis might be convinced at least to move closer. In this "maybe Texas" scene I think he's hoping that he's realized that maybe he can use Ennis's fear in a way that could maybe, finally, bring them closer together. I don't think Texas is a "throw away" answer at all. I think this is meant to demonstrate Jack's persistent hope. I think Jack gets so upset at the end of the scene because Ennis squashes down his hope again.
And, about the Denver answer... LOL... I love that answer in the story. It's one of the rare sort of light moments. I'm not sure that it's flippant... I think it's sort of realistic.
I do to some extent agree that Jack still retains some vestige of hope. What concerns me is the conundrum in rhe story (motel scene)when he tells Ennis he thinks they may have been seen.If Ennis then concludes (and who knows) that even in their idyllic summer when they felt so carefree,they were being observed,what hope elsewhere.I just wish Jack had really listened to the ,what do other people do.Reading between the lines I suspect he was so desperate just to have some more time with Ennis once they left the motel that he missed completely the significance of that simple statement.
Having missed out on that he continues to nurture his dream of a life together and would seem to take every opportunity,to yet again broach the subject.
I find it so full of pathos that no matter how many times he is rebuffed he continues to bounce back for more.However as the film progresses,to me at least there seems to an inexorable desperation in his suggestions.It is almost as if he knows the answer,but will still use any excuse to introduce the idea.maybe even he has come to the realisation that it is not to be.
I keep comming back to the same conclusion in both story and film .that the whole premise hinges on the bittersweet regret of lost opportunities,whilst simultaneously wishing that at least in the story Jack had listened more closely to the sub text.Still got to love him for perseverance against all odds.The other thing that puzzles me is when he spends so much time travelling to meet Ennis.No distance seems too great,as witness the visit ,post divorce note,why does he suggest Texas which would involve Ennis doing the travelling.has he finally had enough of the effort all seeming to be one way.
Ironic then that the one (I think) card from Ennis to Jack re the nov. meeting is the harbinger of doom.Well yet again I seem to have asked myself more questions than resolved any issues.
What a great thing this Brokeback is.Never ever have I so analysed and dissected any film or book.It is such a treat to have an author who rather than spoon feeding us every detail,allows us to ponder and reflect on all the various connotations for ourselves.