Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
What is behind Jack and Ennis' hats?
Front-Ranger:
Great post, Mikaela! I've been wearing my straw cowboy hat over the summer, and I can tell you that having it on really does affect your world view. And it's the most natural thing in the world to duck and have the hat take over when there is something you don't want to look at or confront. Also, when you're putting your hat on, especially with a straw one, you tend to "rock" it which is what I saw Ennis doing one or two times in the movie.
mvansand76:
Wow, such great observations, and all these scenes where the hats play such a big role are becoming iconic, especially when Jack looks around after his first glance at Ennis in front of Aguirre's trailer, the point where he turns away from him and looks away, his hat lowered, and then to the ground and we see him in profile. Oh my God, the first time I saw that I knew the movie was going to be unforgettable, that shot is a classic one.
mvansand76:
--- Quote from: Front-Ranger on August 17, 2006, 02:44:49 pm ---Great post, Mikaela! I've been wearing my straw cowboy hat over the summer, and I can tell you that having it on really does affect your world view. And it's the most natural thing in the world to duck and have the hat take over when there is something you don't want to look at or confront. Also, when you're putting your hat on, especially with a straw one, you tend to "rock" it which is what I saw Ennis doing one or two times in the movie.
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:D I have been wearing my straw one over the summer too, it's great, it's easy to pull it over your eyes when you are on the train!
dly64:
--- Quote from: Mikaela on August 17, 2006, 02:13:50 pm ---The hats are put to excellent use throughout the film - a combination of practical realism and symbolism that is so seamless it's nearly impossible to untangle the one from the other. I'm completely on board with what has been said here so far, so I won't repeat to prove that I agree. ;) I do however want to say how impressed I am at the use of those hats as effective props throughout the entire movie. And how impressed I am at Rodrigo Prieto for the camera angles that manage to show off the hats and their significance to the emotions of the characters in scene after scene, depending on the angle of the brim and how much or little of the face (and eyes) is shown.
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Well stated! You have provided so many additional thoughts about how the hats were used.
I love everyone’s insights on this topic. All of you keep providing more and more ideas that I had not previously considered! Love it!!
--- Quote ---I can't help thinking that one reason they kept the hats on in the dozy embrace was not only the realism (they're outside, and it's pretty cold) but the stunningly iconic image the two of them in their white and black hat create. They come close to forming the yin / yang symbol. I think Ang Lee may have thought it worthwhile prioritizing that over strict adherence to a consistent symbol language of hats donned and doffed. :)
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Great point!
serious crayons:
Fantastic post, Mikaela! And I love your explanation of hats in the dozy embrace! :D
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