Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum

Ennis' reaction to Jack's death.

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ednbarby:

--- Quote from: cricket99999 on July 27, 2006, 09:11:58 pm ---I agree.  When my sister told me of my father's sudden death, I asked a couple questions calmly (Where? She said "At the farm." When? She said "Earlier this afternoon.")  Then she asked me "How did you know?" and I said "I didn't."  Obviously some people, Ennis included, can use this reaction to shield themselves from overwhelming grief, at least for a time.
--- End quote ---

I can still remember it distinctly, too.

Andy:  Barb.  Are you sitting down?  (Right then, I think I knew.)
Me:  Yeah.
Andy:  It's Mom.  She's dead.
Me:  What happened?  (Very calmly.)
Andy:  They think it was a massive heart attack sometime last night or this morning.  We found her in her apartment about an hour ago.
Me:  OK.
Andy:  Are you gonna be all right?
Me:  Yeah.
Andy:  Is Ed there?
Me:  No, but a friend is.  I'm not alone.
Andy:  OK.  I've gotta call Jay.
Me:  OK.  Thanks.  Bye.

When it hit me was almost two months later when I went to call her phone number out of habit and heard the "out of service" message and then it all came crashing down on me.  Then, like I say, I couldn't stop crying for three full days.

coffeecat33:
I tell you what, the first time I saw this scene with the “deceased” stamped across it, I felt stunned disbelief and thought there must be some mistake. (It is what I have felt hearing about other untimely deaths. One time, before my brain had time to think and react, I said very loudly, “Oh my god, you’re kidding!” when someone told me our friend’s husband died.)

And thanks for the connection, I hadn’t thought about picking up mail in the P.O. as a pleasure then getting a mailbox at his home. It still amazes me how many connections there are in this movie! – Thanks for pointing them out everyone.

As for my own experience, I could hardly face it when my granma was in hospice. When my mom called me to tell me she’d passed, she said, “You know why I’m calling.” Even now after so many years I still get a scared empty sad feeling inside. I don’t recall crying at her funeral although most of my family was crying a little, none of us “broke down” sobbing. I don’t think it’s suppressing emotions as just being overwhelmed by the enormity of the loss; we have to deal with in pieces.

IMO Ennis is feeling a great many emotions when he sees the postcard. I speak from experience as I am a female Ennis. It looks like I’m calm but my insides are churning and I can hardly express myself. The grief Ennis is feeling is so overwhelming (as big as the open prairie) that he can hardly take it in. IMO when Ennis is on the phone he is shaking and can barely speak. He does start to choke up at the end and has to hang up. And he gets tears in his eyes at the sight of the shirts and at the Twist’s house. And of course the “Jack, I swear…”

Gosh someone get a box of tissues!

bbm_stitchbuffyfan:

--- Quote ---In the book Ennis does not believe it at first, thinks its a mistake and when he calls, that Jack will answer
--- End quote ---

This is sooo sad (as are all of your guys' stories).

jpwagoneer1964:

--- Quote from: goadra on August 20, 2006, 10:54:25 am ---

Because the Lightning Flat kitchen is dim, it’s difficult to tell for sure--I think the shirt Ennis is wearing is different from the one during the “Deceased” scene. I used to think he drove there right away, but now I don’t. I wonder what the day(s) in between would have been like. Probably just more classic Ennis, freezing his feelings to get by.

 

--- End quote ---
It is the same outer jacket, but I don't thingk the same shirt.

dly64:

--- Quote from: goadra on August 20, 2006, 10:54:25 am ---When I was 21, I had the task of calling people to tell them about my father-in-law’s death. Most of his friends had known him for at least 40 years, but did not know he’d been fighting cancer for only a few months. Some were matter-of-fact (“Where’s the funeral? Should I bring something to eat?”). Some repeatedly said, “Oh, I’m so sorry.” One screamed and dropped the phone.
--- End quote ---

Barbara - you are so right. You have just illustrated how everyone responds to tragedy in a very personal and different way. It is interesting that we see Ennis on two occasions completely losing it (right after Ennis and Jack separate and during the lake scene). But, it is Jack’s death where we are left guessing. The timing is very purposeful. We don’t see Ennis immediately after he sees the postcard and we don’t see him after he hangs up the phone. Because Ennis and Jack had a very intimate and loving relationship, I can only surmise that Ennis’ reaction to Jack’s death was treated in a similar fashion. What I mean is that Ennis needed to be alone to grieve Jack’s death in a way that we cannot be a part of. (Hope that makes sense).

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