Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
"Jack, I swear..." What do you think Ennis meant by that?
silkncense:
I agree w/ BBMGrandma & Opinionista -
The look on Ennis' face clearly shows regret & heartbreak to me.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: Rayn on March 31, 2006, 04:26:16 pm ---The line is cryptic and open to interpretation. I thought he meant, "Jack, I declare, life is tough and strange." But then he touches the postcard of the mountain and I thought maybe he meant, "Jack, I swear I'll get you (Jack's ashes) up there like you wanted." I realize there may be no way to know exactly what he meant, but I'm very interested in hearing what others think about it.
Thanks,
Rayn
--- End quote ---
I love the ambiguity--there's that word that gets used so often about this movie!--of Ennis not completing the thought aloud. As a romantic at heart, I want to think the completion is, "Jack, I swear, I will always love you." However, I'm finding myself thinking more likely it's something like, "Jack, I swear, I will never forget Brokeback Mountain," in this case the mountain really meaning their relationship, because what they had was all founded on Brokeback Mountain.
ednbarby:
--- Quote from: Impish on April 08, 2006, 07:06:56 pm ---
--- Quote from: Aussie Chris on April 01, 2006, 07:57:48 am ---
Jack, I swear... You really messed me up good
--- End quote ---
I've always preferred this sort of take on it: that he wasn't vowing anything, just commenting on how sad he is and how much he misses him.
--- End quote ---
I agree 100%. And to me, that's his way of saying he loves him. It's not a declaration, just like you said - it's a comment on what he's meant to him. Kind of like that song: "Love, look what you've done to me..."
Aussie Chris:
--- Quote from: ednbarby on April 09, 2006, 05:55:27 pm ---Jack, I swear... You really messed me up good
I agree 100%. And to me, that's his way of saying he loves him. It's not a declaration, just like you said - it's a comment on what he's meant to him. Kind of like that song: "Love, look what you've done to me..."
--- End quote ---
This was always my favourite too. It's an acknowledgement, but not an admition, and just says Ennis all over for me. But even in this tiny crack of this half spoken sentence, there is also redemption and I can't help but love Ennis for it, faults and all. This is why Jack fell so hopelessly in love with him and was just as trapped as Ennis was.
Rayn:
"But even in this tiny crack of this half spoken sentence, there is also redemption and I can't help but love Ennis for it, faults and all. This is why Jack fell so hopelessly in love with him and was just as trapped as Ennis was".
Aussie Chris
Yes, Aussie Chris, I think you've hit the nail on the head... and also Jeff Wrangler and opinionista too. There is a look of utter loss, but also a glimmer of hope too. I would so like it if Annie P. wrote a sequel in which Ennis goes on to a happier life, but she said she won't, soooo oh well.
Thanks guys,
Rayn
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