Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > All Things Brokeback: Books, Interviews and More

Interesting essay about BBM - the movie and short story

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optom3:
What a thought provoking article. I loved her interpretation of the ending of both the book and the film. I read the SS first and the line about Ennis waking up sometimes in joy etc had me in floods of tears. I was in so much pain by that stage that when I read the lines, the sheets wet, some times the pillow, I was struggling to breathe. It is so desperately poignant, all he has to warm him, as per the prologue are his memories and the shirts.
By the time we reach the epilogue, both in the SS and the film, our emotions have been on a roller coater ride of joy and despair and we may feel we can take no more, yet little do we know.The final searing pain is yet to come.
I have never read the SS or seen the film and not been emotionally crucified by the ending.  I  feel akin to the way Ennis does when he retches in the alley, having come down the mountain.
In the film as those first few notes of wings  penetrate my very core, so the tears flow unchecked,in the book I am reduced to a quivering wreck by the lines about the sheets and pillow.We are brought, more so I feel in the book, full circle. That is in no way a criticism of the film which I love equally but differently. The presence of both in my life have awakened emotions and memories long since thought dead and buried. The very writing of this post has made me stop and evaluate things once again.
I am an avid reader and never before have I been so completely winded by a story, yet I feel honoured and privileged, to have been given the gift of all that constitutes BBM. I feel sorry for those who simply do not or will not "get it " The rich tapestry of my life has been enhanced by both mediums.

bailey1205:
I'm going to have to read this essay.

When I think of BBM now, I always seem to go back to the SS first.

mariez:
Thanks, Leslie.  I really enjoyed her essay - so eloquent and thoughtful, as I told Anne in my comment.  :)

AnneBrooke:
Many thanks for reading - and thank you to Leslie for the tip-off! The comments are much appreciated.

Apologies to Jeff for my misunderstanding of the text - I just always thought like it seemed as if it was indoors in the book - probably just my assumption! Though I do think I remember Alma opening the door halfway through the clinch and seeing Ennis' heaving shoulders as he was kissing Jack and it felt like they were all in the same space?? Or maybe that's just me! It has been known ...

If so though, it was probably an outdoor landing if it was the laundry? Either way, my ignorance of US houses shines bright. I'm not allowed out much, you see ...

 ;D

Hugs and thanks to all

Axxx

Front-Ranger:
Welcome to BetterMost, Anne! Like you, I always thought the reunion scene happened in a cramped indoor stairwell until the movie. I like the movie scene better because the two men have more eye contact and interchange before the "coming together." Annie Proulx is vague on this, so it is up to the reader to flesh out the story. It does mention Jack's hat falling to the "floor" so that is further reinforcement that they are inside. And the story does specifically mention that Jack ran up the stairs, so the clench took place just outside the door to the apartment. However, Lee's treatment, with the boys at least trying to hide in among the beams of the stairwell, underneath the doorway, seems more realistic and makes for some better camera angles. The thought of Ennis's "straining shoulders" that Alma sees makes for a compelling image but nothing like the violent kisses and nuzzles that we get treated to in the movie.

I'd love to hear more of your insights!!

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