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- This movie explores the complex nature of same-sex relationships in the 1960s, highlighting the contrasting perspectives of its main characters. Ennis seeks only a casual hookup, while Jack longs for a committed relationship. From the outset, Jack has plans to involve someone in helping with his father's farm, indicating his desire for a future together. He is also open with his parents about his intention to bring a man home. In contrast, Ennis is still coming to terms with his own sexuality. He grapples with a deep fear of societal judgment and the possibility of violence against gay men during that era. The narrative primarily revolves around Ennis's struggle with being in the closet as the movie ends with Ennis opening a closet and crying on the shirts how life could be if they weren't closeted.
- Moreover, the dynamics with their wives further illustrate their differing situations. Alma is aware of Ennis's infidelity and suspects he is gay, yet she chooses to pretend she doesn't know, resulting in silent suffering throughout the film. In comparison, Lureen has a sense that something is wrong in her relationship with Jack, but she doesn't fully understand what it is, leading to less profound emotional pain.
-How did Jack know? Both Jack and Ennis's fights brought an end to their summer romance, and they are now on different life paths: Ennis is set to get married, while Jack may join the army. It seems there is no future for their summer fling to develop further. This is reinforced in their conversation at the motel.
Despite this, something compels Jack to reach out to Ennis again, but fate intervenes. Someone has already explained how general delivery works in rural areas, which is historically accurate. Meanwhile, Jack has a strong intuition that Ennis is in Riverton. “Drop me a line; let me know if you’re there,” he says. Ennis replies, “You bet.”
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