Alright, I still immensely enjoy discussing the movie itself and the book (as long as I'm not talking to dumb ass trolls). I've had a particular question since I first saw the movie but I never thought to ask...
What is the purpose of the Fourth of July scene?
I first thought it was to show Ennis' violent side but I was wondering what everyone else got out of this scene. By the way, even though I am not sure of it's purpose, I love this scene. The motorcyclists scream 'trash' (that in itself makes me giggle) and it's absolutely thrilling to see Ennis kick some ass. Nobody messes with Ennis Del Mar. ;D
And plus, visually beautiful -- once again.
-- Establishes why Alma would be afraid enough of Ennis to avoid confronting him about Jack. Wrongly, I think (why would a wife fear her husband would turn anti-biker violence toward her?), but still.
-- Provides iconic Americana trailer image.
-- Sets up a "masculinity" bookend/echo: on one holiday, Ennis successfully beats up bikers while Jack strikes out with Jimbo. But later in the movie on another holiday, Jack successfully tells off L.D. Newsome while Ennis gets beat up. Jack has progressed and matured -- and settles things with words -- while Ennis hasn't and doesn't.
I could go on and on about the McMurtry-Ossana/Lee interpretation of the original story; but, all three of them used their own artistic license to change a lot of the original story.
And personally I'd hardly call the language he uses to L.D. Newsome "progress."
I'm not sure about the "not confronting him about Jack" part, but I think the other point isn't turning "anti-biker violence toward her," but rather that maybe Alma has never seen Ennis being violent before, and now she knows her husband is capable of violence.
Now, there's an interesting thought! Except I'm totally missing the part about Jack progressing and settling things with words. When did we see him being violent like Ennis?
And personally I'd hardly call the language he uses to L.D. Newsome "progress." ;)
I agree with most of the things above, the scene shows different facets of Ennis and the 20 year history.
But here is how I see this from inside Ennis' head:
Here you are two useless riffraff guys, able to openly talk about your sexual desires, openly and rudely with no respect for your partners. But here am I aching and longing for my man who respects me and wants me too, but we cannot even admit to ourselves that we have these strong legitimate feelings. We cannot publicly admit our love, but you can crudely say the most sexual things that reflect no real commitment or respect.
I can hear him saying "You have your Independence Day, and you have this freedom and that freedom, but so can I have my freedoms too. This is my Independence Day, and I take all my rights and freedoms, too. And I take them with a side order of teeth, if you please."
But then he is reminded that his rights come at a cost to his wife and daughters too.Freedom's just another word
for nothing left to lose.
K. Kristofferson
Here you are two useless riffraff guys, able to openly talk about your sexual desires, openly and rudely with no respect for your partners. But here am I aching and longing for my man who respects me and wants me too, but we cannot even admit to ourselves that we have these strong legitimate feelings. We cannot publicly admit our love, but you can crudely say the most sexual things that reflect no real commitment or respect.
Alright, I still immensely enjoy discussing the movie itself and the book (as long as I'm not talking to dumb ass trolls). I've had a particular question since I first saw the movie but I never thought to ask...
What is the purpose of the Fourth of July scene?
I first thought it was to show Ennis' violent side but I was wondering what everyone else got out of this scene. By the way, even though I am not sure of it's purpose, I love this scene. The motorcyclists scream 'trash' (that in itself makes me giggle) and it's absolutely thrilling to see Ennis kick some ass. Nobody messes with Ennis Del Mar. ;D
And plus, visually beautiful -- once again.
It was just another attempt to add extra heterosexual elements to the movie, where "Straight" screenplay writer Larry McMurtry could have another scene with a woman in it.
Hunh? You think Larry McMurtry is desperate to sneak in women characters simply because he enjoys them as a straight man? Then why would he take on this project in the first place?
I've always thought that for my interests, emotionally, I have to seek women to talk about. Men don't talk about emotion. They don't understand it.
Men don't talk about emotion. They don't understand it.
Hmmm! That's interesting, tiawahcowboy. I apologize for my skepticism. And you're right, it is a bit sexist.
As for this comment: Men don't talk about emotion. They don't understand it.
It's certainly true of this movie, anyway.