Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Question about a particular scene
ednbarby:
In lo my nine (so far) viewings, it's never occurred to me to ask this question. But a friend who'd just seen it for only the second time (first on DVD) the other day and who loves it, too, asked me this, and I wasn't able to answer: "Why do you think they had that cowboy walk by Ennis while he was dry-heaving and sobbing - wasn't it poignant enough without its being interrupted like that?"
The only answer I've been able to come up with since is that maybe Larry and Diana (or was it Ang? I don't know if it's in the screenplay but I know it isn't in the short story) wanted to give everything significant a sense that someone was always watching - as Aguirre was watching and Alma later, too? Or was it just simply a dramatic device? I do think he makes a good point - that the scene and the acting were believable and strong enough that it was unnecessary.
What are your thoughts?
hermitdave:
All the reasons you listed make sense as to why the cowboy is walking by. Maybe Ang wanted to show another example of how repressed,angry, and afraid Ennis is of showing his real feelings. After all the cowboy may have stopped out of sincere concern-to ask if Ennis was o.k. But before he could say anything, Ennis rebuffed him and drove him away. He was off the mountain, back in the real world. even on a mostly deserted street-he had to pull himself together, push those feelings back down- or people would "know".
David:
Oh I think having that guy spot Ennis having his ...uh, panic attack? was important.
Much like many of Ennis's "loss of control" scenes, he reacts with an outburst of anger.
"What the F*ck are you looking at!?" So very typical of Ennis. So very important that Ang Lee shows us that. It is the first of many such outbursts.
Like the 4th of July scene, the post Thanksgiving scene, even the final fight with Jack. He lashes out at Jack just before he collapses to his knees in front of Jack. Yup, that scene in the Alley just sets the precedent.
Poor Ennis. :'(
Front-Ranger:
You're right, hopeful, I think. Even more, Lee shows how his fear is justified. When you have to let your feelings out, be vulnerable, is just when the danger of being found out is greatest. It is also one of the earliest examples of Ennis lashing out with anger and violence to cover his fear and to distract people from "coming to know those things" about him.
ednbarby:
Thanks, everyone. Excellent points, all. I'll pass this on to my friend. And thanks for enlightening me, too.
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