Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
"I figured you were sore from that punch"
jpwagoneer1964:
A big reason Ennis wouldn't Have a life with Jack because he didn't want to leave his children or have Jack leave Bobby. True strength in character.
dly64:
--- Quote from: jpwagoneer1964 on July 23, 2006, 09:08:26 am ---A big reason Ennis wouldn't Have a life with Jack because he didn't want to leave his children or have Jack leave Bobby. True strength in character.
--- End quote ---
Although I see your point, I don't think that is Ennis' primary motivation for not having a life with Jack. IMO, Ennis uses his daughters as an excuse. (I am not saying that Ennis does not love his daughters or that Jack doesn’t love his son. I am saying that this is not what keeps them apart). The true reason … what keeps him from having a life with Jack … is his fear. That is why the Earl and Rich story is so important. It is the image of Earl that colors everything Ennis says and does (in relation to Jack). It is the ghost in the room. It is always there. Despite how much he feels for Jack, he is unable to rid himself of the image of a man who was dismembered and beaten to death. Ennis assumes that this will happen to Jack and/or himself.
--- Quote from: atz75 on July 23, 2006, 12:08:10 am ---Sometimes I can hardly stand to watch certain scenes... especially the post-divorce fiasco as you pointed out. I think one of the hardest parts of this dilemma he was in with Ennis is that he knows that this relationship is the right one. He knows that he loves Ennis and he knows that Ennis loves him back... how incredibly frustrating to have the thing that he wants (or that they both want), but only in little doses and the full-blown expression of their love (living together) just beyond his/ their reach. And the main obstacle to making things progress is the fear in Ennis's head.
--- End quote ---
I couldn’t agree with you more. The post-divorce scene is the most difficult (for me) to watch. The pain is so palpable … I can hardly breathe. Although the following seems OT, it really isn’t. When Jack drives away after Ennis has said, one more time, that he is unwilling to leave his life for one with Jack, this song is playing on the radio:
A Love That Will Never Grow Old
Music: Gustavo Santaolalla
Lyrics: Bernie Taupin
Sung By: Emmylou Harris
Go to sleep, may your sweet dreams come true
Just lay back in my arms for one more night
I've this crazy old notion that calls me sometimes
Saying this one's the love of our lives.
Cause I know a love that will never grow old
And I know a love that will never grow old.
When you wake up the world may have changed
But trust in me, I'll never falter or fail
Just the smile in your eyes, it can light up the night,
And your laughter's like wind in my sails.
Cause I know a love that will never grow old
And I know a love that will never grow old.
Lean on me, let our hearts beat in time,
Feel strength from the hands that have held you so long.
Who cares where we go on this rutted old road
In a world that may say that we're wrong.
Cause I know a love that will never grow old
And I know a love that will never grow old.
This song is placed purposefully. It expresses how Jack feels at that moment. It is a devastating expression of what could be. It kills me every time I hear it.
bbm_stitchbuffyfan:
--- Quote ---...then gets Aguirre’s “bring ’em down” news (double meaning of “Bring him down”--meaning Ennis--and it certainly worked).
--- End quote ---
Whoa, this is interesting. I never thought of that!
I find it so profound how it is illustrated that Ennis has thought about that moment when they parted in 1963 recurringly for the next four years.
I noticed how Jack spit in that short little snip of a scene after the punch and Ennis has this taken aback expression on his face; he looked worried that Jack was upset.
And yeah, I think Ennis felt really guilty and that was another little factor to his alley breakdown.
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote from: dly64 on July 23, 2006, 06:30:32 pm ---Although I see your point, I don't think that is Ennis' primary motivation for not having a life with Jack. IMO, Ennis uses his daughters as an excuse. (I am not saying that Ennis does not love his daughters or that Jack doesn’t love his son. I am saying that this is not what keeps them apart). The true reason … what keeps him from having a life with Jack … is his fear. That is why the Earl and Rich story is so important. It is the image of Earl that colors everything Ennis says and does (in relation to Jack). It is the ghost in the room. It is always there. Despite how much he feels for Jack, he is unable to rid himself of the image of a man who was dismembered and beaten to death. Ennis assumes that this will happen to Jack and/or himself.
--- End quote ---
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote from: dly64 on July 23, 2006, 06:30:32 pm ---Although I see your point, I don't think that is Ennis' primary motivation for not having a life with Jack. IMO, Ennis uses his daughters as an excuse. (I am not saying that Ennis does not love his daughters or that Jack doesn’t love his son. I am saying that this is not what keeps them apart). The true reason … what keeps him from having a life with Jack … is his fear. That is why the Earl and Rich story is so important. It is the image of Earl that colors everything Ennis says and does (in relation to Jack). It is the ghost in the room. It is always there. Despite how much he feels for Jack, he is unable to rid himself of the image of a man who was dismembered and beaten to death. Ennis assumes that this will happen to Jack and/or himself.
--- End quote ---
I do think that if Ehnnis's fears were much less, he would not yet be inclined to move on with Jack if they could not both be near their children intil they were grown. Would would be different is that Ennis would have expressed this to Jack so there would be plan for a future, Jack would have been less careless and likely survived.
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