Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
What if Jack gave Ennis an ultimatum? Come with me to Mexico or it,s over.
David:
The final lake scene "fight" was really an ultimatum. Jack said all those unsaid things. Ennis's collapse certainly showed that he was terrified of losing Jack.
I honestly feel that each of them left that day and processed the event differently. Jack had a long drive up to Lightning Flat to think things over. He obviously felt that Ennis would never change, therefore he tells his folks that he's going to divorce Lureen and bring Randall up there to live. Meanwhile, Ennis obviously realizes that he can't "stand it" anymore, so he has to fix it. That means dump Cassie and tell Jack it's time for some changes when they meet in November.
Jacks death unfortunately just pushes Ennis farther back into the closet I think.
alec716:
--- Quote from: jpwagoneer1964 on June 10, 2006, 09:40:03 pm ---I am with you on this one. When Ennsi says "I can stand this anymore Jack" I take it to mean that since he "can"t fix it" he is ready to move closer to Jack in some fashion. His responsibilities to his daughters are nearly over, I think that was as big a reason as any not to move forward before.
--- End quote ---
Exactly my hope. And I like your point about the eventual end of his child support-paying days, which would free him up economically.
In their final scene by the lake, Ennis FINALLY realized that the could not stand it, he was going to summon the courage, inch by inch, to fix it. As we all know, Ennis believed that what cannot be fixed must be tolerated. What's the corollary? If you can't stand it, fix it. He needed to evolve in order to survive. For 20 years, he tried to stand it. Couldn't. At the last meeting with Jack, he tried to bluff his way out of it. Couldn't. Only option left was to get a grip and move himself forward. I am not normally known for being this optimistic in life ;), but this is what my gut tells me and my heart wants to believe. Ennis gave Jack an ultimatum and shocked himself into growth in the process. Pain is a great motivator, especially in combination with love.
bbm_stitchbuffyfan:
Oh my God, this is extremely fascinating...
JakeTwist, I see what you're saying about Ennis' treatment of Cassie -- except I don't think of it as 'narcissistic,' considering that Ennis appears to have very low self-esteem. I feel bad for Cassie but I understand what Ennis was going through and why he was so repressed.
My jury's verdict is still out on whether or not Jack was ready to move on from Ennis. Fascinatingly, I think this is one of the beautiful ambiguities in the story that I will go back and forth on repeatedly. Right now... I think he might have put his mind to it, at least thought hard about starting something up with Randall, but I think he would never be able to go through with it. He loved Ennis too much.
I think Ennis was starting to make a change too and that's what makes Jack's untimely death all the sadder. Oh, I'm gonna freakin' cry...
--- Quote ---I've gone through this too which is why, contrary to what some people think, in my opinion Jack and Ennis's relationship was doomed since the day Jack went to see him after the divorce and Ennis rejected him. Even if he hadn't died, and Ennis has changed his mind, I don't think they would've survived a as couple. I know a lot of people disagree with me, but from a reality point of view, I seriously doubt their relationship had any future from that moment on, no matter how much they loved each other. They'd need extensive professional therapy for it to work. Twenty years of struggle and pain is too much for a person to handle, I think. You end up feeling kind of numb.
--- End quote ---
This theory is undoubtedly valid but I have to disagree. I think, had Jack not died, if Ennis did make a positive change then Jack would have stuck with him even if he was still in disbelief that Ennis had changed. They both experienced the same pain, in a way, as well. Maybe it's cause I'm so taken with their love but I can definitely see them, if they are both willing to live their 'sweet life,' committing themselves to making it work.
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote from: alec716 on June 10, 2006, 09:54:08 pm ---Exactly my hope. And I like your point about the eventual end of his child support-paying days, which would free him up economically.
In their final scene by the lake, Ennis FINALLY realized that the could not stand it, he was going to summon the courage, inch by inch, to fix it. As we all know, Ennis believed that what cannot be fixed must be tolerated. What's the corollary? If you can't stand it, fix it. He needed to evolve in order to survive. For 20 years, he tried to stand it. Couldn't. At the last meeting with Jack, he tried to bluff his way out of it. Couldn't. Only option left was to get a grip and move himself forward. I am not normally known for being this optimistic in life ;), but this is what my gut tells me and my heart wants to believe. Ennis gave Jack an ultimatum and shocked himself into growth in the process. Pain is a great motivator, especially in combination with love.
--- End quote ---
Forgot to mention that "I cant stand..." in not in the book or my copy of the screenplay'.
I think Jack would have stuck with Ennis no matter what, He does seem resigned to the fishing trips( they would have done some fishing, the river was always nearby and Ennis doen't take his gear out of the truck for nothing) and you see this in their easy familar interaction by the fire conversation which the last of we see is"Tell you what....truth is......" Jacks look as Ennis drives away to me a look of anger and sadness that if things never chage to as the book says "let it be..." accept things as they are.
alec716:
--- Quote from: jpwagoneer1964 on June 10, 2006, 11:27:26 pm ---Jacks look as Ennis drives away to me a look of anger and sadness that if things never chage to as the book says "let it be..." accept things as they are.
--- End quote ---
I know that the expression on Jack's face as Ennis drives away is one of about seven million shots in this charmingly and maddeningly ambiguous movie ... I see the anger and sadness that you see, along with the resignation and yes, the commitment. I realize that Jack may well have been planning a life with Randall, but I believe that he would have continued to see Ennis as much as possible. Had Ennis made any progess toward more availability, Randall just might have found himself alone. Nothing short of the death that found Jack could have kept him from Ennis. Randall was merely a more available substitute, even if Jack loved him also. Sez me. ;)
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