Saw the Hand Holdin'.

[amh]

It's great, isn't it?  I saw it before on a You-Tube vid after someone pointed it out.  But I just saw it last night for the first time on my DVD - and loved it even more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   [swoon]   

Even if it started as a balance thing, which I totally understand, they still could have grabbed anything else to balance.  The fact that it's their hands at least gives the viewer something to "hang" on to as well!!!!

It's funny that I've gone from being surprised by this scene the first time I saw the film (not disliking it, just that it's quick commencement kind of blindsided me the first time, I didn't see it coming and it seemed out of place) to totally LOVING it!!!

[serious crayons]

I love that hand holding, because it happens right after Jack pounds the floor and it's almost as if Ennis is soothing him or calming him in some way, like he's saying it's alright, settle down...

Yeah, that's how I interpret it, too, as Ennis offering support and comfort and affection. And it's the perfect argument against those ignorant people who say that scene is too ... well, whatever it is they say about it. It's actually very sweet.

[moremojo]

Hi, team:

I hope to purchase a copy of the DVD from Borders or Barnes & Noble this weekend. Never saw the hands at any of my five theatrical viewings, but my friend Melinda assured me that they're there, having noticed them for the first time earlier this week on the DVD. Oh god, I feel like swooning at the very thought of it!

Always loved this scene, by the way, especially Ennis's confused, vulnerable "What're you doin?", his grunt, and the way he falls over on Jack's back. The filmmakers expertly conveyed the lust of the moment while never veering into the explicit. Ennis and Jack are fully revealed here as sexual beings, and I really value this depiction as a gay man who feels gay screen characters are often neutered out of a sense of decorum or "good taste".

Regards,
Scott

[serious crayons]

I really value this depiction as a gay man who feels gay screen characters are often neutered out of a sense of decorum or "good taste".

Ang is often described as having good taste, and he does, but I like how he doesn't pull any punches with this; he just puts the sex right out there, like it or not, no switching to exterior tent shots or anything like that. Yet at the same time the scene IS tasteful. It can be hard to watch an explicit sex scene involving any two people of whatever gender unless it's done well. And this one is done beautifully.

[Front-Ranger]

This scene has really taken on a whole new dimension for me in the DVD. Not only is it brighter and easier to see, but it's more romantic and intimate than when I saw it in the theater.

[sparkle_motion]

This scene has really taken on a whole new dimension for me in the DVD. Not only is it brighter and easier to see, but it's more romantic and intimate than when I saw it in the theater.

Absolutely agree.

[JCinNYC2006]

<snip>Always loved this scene, by the way, especially Ennis's confused, vulnerable "What're you doin?", his grunt, and the way he falls over on Jack's back. The filmmakers expertly conveyed the lust of the moment while never veering into the explicit. Ennis and Jack are fully revealed here as sexual beings, and I really value this depiction as a gay man who feels gay screen characters are often neutered out of a sense of decorum or "good taste".
Regards,
Scott

Totally.  It's graphic and explicit without being porno (in the sense of being artificial - in a porn you don't necessarily believe that the sex is spontaneous passion).  The first time I saw it I was shocked because it felt like seeing two guys just fall into it.  And yeah it happens that it slips out of the 'rosebud', depends on different things.

[ednbarby]

This scene has really taken on a whole new dimension for me in the DVD. Not only is it brighter and easier to see, but it's more romantic and intimate than when I saw it in the theater.

Absolutely agree.

I second that emotion.  The way they stare into each other's eyes - Jack so plaintively, if that's the right word, and then down at each other's, uh, packages just rocks my socks off.  Never caught that in all five of my theater viewings.  It's just the s***, nodamean, Vern?

[sparkle_motion]

I didn't see them look at each other's packages!! Looks like I'll have to watch it again to see that part. Where does it happen exactly?

Barb, I can't believe you just used knowwhatimean, Vern. That made me laugh outloud.

[ednbarby]

I didn't see them look at each other's packages!! Looks like I'll have to watch it again to see that part. Where does it happen exactly?

Barb, I can't believe you just used knowwhatimean, Vern. That made me laugh outloud.

I think it's right after Ennis says, "Whadya doin'?" and they're kneeling there, kind of grabbing at each other, and Jack hasn't undone his belt and fly yet.  First, there's that eye-to-eye stare, then some more grabbing around the face and neck and shoulders, and then their eyes head south at the same time and linger there just before Jack undoes the belt.  Both their mouths are open just a little bit the whole time.

Here I thought the reunion make-out was the sexiest damned thing ever recorded on film, and this trumped it.  Hell, this hand could go it alone.