Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Why it stays with you and what to do about it..
ashleyjb:
This was my IMDB post back in Jan 06.
Why it stays with you and what to do about it.., 23 Jan 2006 - 10/10
Author: ashleyjbear from Paris
One of the most overwhelming aspects of this film, and at the same time its genius, is how its story absorbs you into itself, finally wounds you and leaves you bleeding; yet it is a wounding that is also healing... Rather than fading by the time you get home and back to 'life', instead grief and bittersweet pain visit in waves until, alone, in private moments of the day, tears well-up.
It's at once exhilarating and disturbing to be so deeply affected by a film. When it persists more that a day or two, albeit gently, you begin to wonder just what is happening to you.. Which brings me to my point: Brokeback Mountain is not staggering in its impact on you because of superficial concern for characters, but for how it somehow seduces you into confronting vicariously your own thwarted dreams, missed opportunities, thinly covered disappointments - even shame of your own unhappiness; so too your first loves, your great loves, the memory of love. One is ambushed by one's own phantoms and fondest memories, in potent and distilled form. It's not so much the movie that won't seem to leave us but our own soul's joys, sorrows and hopes, surfaced and in need of the light of day.
So what are we to do? See the film endlessly? It is tempting to believe one more viewing will give me something more.. Probably not the final solution. What we need to do is read the text of our own life now, albeit as dramatically surfaced and illuminated for us by a film. We need now to re-enter the adventure of responsible liberty and walk resolutely and courageously into this storm that has come to visit us. We cannot out-source this profound task to film makers or anyone else, no matter how they may have inspired us. It is for us now to finish the story...
As Proust wrote on the ultimate inability of other's books (or films) to satisfy us in our quest for truth and spiritual life,
"Reading (movie-going) is on the threshold of the spiritual life; it can introduce us to it: it does not constitute it."
Bon courage à tous...
Lynne:
Welcome, Ashley!
I had not seen this post of yours before. I didn't see BBM til late January and was quite non-functional for weeks afterwards. By the time I started lurking around IMDb, I saw Phillip's post and red-lined all the way to BetterMost. It was his vision of providing a venue for 'finishing the story' in our own lives that really spoke to my heart and allowed me to start healing. I think your post summarizes exactly why this touched me the way it did, although I could never come close to articulating it this well myself.
-Lynne
--- Quote ---Brokeback Mountain is not staggering in its impact on you because of superficial concern for characters, but for how it somehow seduces you into confronting vicariously your own thwarted dreams, missed opportunities, thinly covered disappointments - even shame of your own unhappiness; so too your first loves, your great loves, the memory of love. One is ambushed by one's own phantoms and fondest memories, in potent and distilled form. It's not so much the movie that won't seem to leave us but our own soul's joys, sorrows and hopes, surfaced and in need of the light of day....
What we need to do is read the text of our own life now, albeit as dramatically surfaced and illuminated for us by a film. We need now to re-enter the adventure of responsible liberty and walk resolutely and courageously into this storm that has come to visit us. We cannot out-source this profound task to film makers or anyone else, no matter how they may have inspired us. It is for us now to finish the story...
--- End quote ---
Br. Patrick:
I saw it in the theater on January 23, 2006 just as you did. NOTHING has been the same since. I could have wrote your original post a few days ago but not with such beautiful prose. I have seen the film 5 times in the theaters and had to stop when my uncontrollable sobbing started making me feel very self conscious that I was annoying anyone within hearing distance. I have seen it 5 times on DVD, the last time with Subtitles on (A MUST!) and I am so shattered for days that I have to plan my viewing where I will have a few days without having to be around anyone. I plan on watching it alone on Christmas, followed by "Latter Days" another life rocking film that was introduced to me in a chat room with Lynne (above) and Daniel.
What to do about it? Be Grateful that we've had a life changing experience! Grow and take it one day at a time...
peace :)
br. patrick
BBM-Cat:
What to do about it? Be Grateful that we've had a life changing experience! Grow and take it one day at a time...
Amen to that! Is it possible to go through withdrawals? I have now seen BBM twice (one week ago) with carefully planned viewings each time (as Br. Patrick alludes) in an attempt to not become desensitized. I now find that I am craving it. I was also worried, that since the movie has been intellectually dissected on these forums and I have been reading intensely all there is to offer - that I would lose interest as well because but that also does not seem to be the case.
I have started my descent down BBM, but very gradually.
Br. Patrick:
--- Quote from: BBM-Cat2006 on December 21, 2006, 03:47:39 pm ---I have started my descent down BBM, but very gradually.
--- End quote ---
I envy you. No, I can't say that, I LOVE what this film is doing to me, even if it is pulling my guts out a foot at a time. I guess I just plan on staying up here "flying in the euphoric, bitter air, looking down on the hawk's back and the crawling lights of vehicles on the plain below, suspended above ordinary affairs and distant from the ranch dogs barking in the dark hours." Annie says it so well.
peace :)
br. patrick
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