Topic: What were thay expecting at the reunion?

[Rønnaug]

amazing the speed we went out

I think we see Ennis move fast three times, correct me if I missed another time. When he hurries to greet Jack here, when thay come from the hotel and are going away "fishing" and after Alma calls Jack Jack Nasty...  Ennis is not the speeding type He speeds for Jack tho

[matsuki33]

i dagree everytime tha happens it is because of jack, it is amazing how we react for love

[sam]

The 4 yr gap is part of the genius of the story.They grow up , have kids but for neither is it enough.Something so powerful happened that i think it almost took this time for the enormity to hit them.  The longing didn't pass. Brokeback got them good.


For Jack --- I think he'd often asked around about Ennis as he travelled about.  I think he knew the connection they had could have both good and bad consequences for them both. I also think he knew exactly why Ennis had hit him --- the intensity of the feelings.He was powerless to stop Ennis walking away and i bet he went over and over things he could have said or done during the 4 yr break. My guess is he knew there was a big risk getting in touch --- a tire iron could have been waiting for him --- but something in the simple ,honest message "you bet" gave him reason to hope. Great sex was never the sole motivating factor --- that would not have made it a risk worth taking.Jack puts himself on the line again and again.   

For Ennis, the realization of his feelings for Jack is so much more complex and shocking to him. While he craves the sex --it's so much more. I think he fears he was the one to end it before it had begun because of the punch. So he tried "to stand it". HE HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH HIS VERY IDENTITY.The sense he's been given a second chance fills him with so much happiness .I think he had no plan to be so reckless initially i.e. the kiss --- but the physicality of Jack was so strong. It's an extraordinarily powerful moment --- prob thats why the actors were initially scared--- it exposes everyone involved.

This scene for me is the essence of the story --- it shows the power of the love and the fact it could endure and overwhelm them. There could be no going back.

Well said.  I agree completely.

From the very first time I saw the movie I wondered why Ennis didn't contact Jack....if only to keep the friendship....such a deep friendship...going.  All he had to do is send a letter to:

Mr. Jack Twist
c/o Mr. & Mrs. John Twist
Lightening Flats, Wyoming

c/o means "in care of"

I am sure Jack's mother would have given it to him when he came home next time.

I don't think that Ennis really knew how Jack felt about him at that point in time.  They never were good at revealing their feelings to each other...and the summer ended in such an abrupt way: "Well, I guess I'll see you around, huh?" "Right."

Maybe both of them...(but especially Ennis)...just thought that it happened...and that like he said in that one scene..."It's a one shot thing we got goin' on here."

We see Ennis dry heaving in deep despair...We see Jacks teary eyed look in the mirror as he drives away...
But they don't know that of each other at that point.

I think that Ennis might have felt that he was 'chasing' after Jack if he did that.  No straight guy would do that.

sam

[City Slickin' Cowboy]

We see Ennis dry heaving in deep despair...We see Jacks teary eyed look in the mirror as he drives away...
But they don't know that of each other at that point.

I think that Ennis might have felt that he was 'chasing' after Jack if he did that.  No straight guy would do that.

sam

Excellent point!!!

[matsuki33]

exactly, the Ennis of 1963 wouldn't had go to chase Jack he was so confused of himself at that time.

[Stephen]

Very insightful, Sam. And you just reminded me of a question I had which is a bit off topic: after Ennis says his "guess I'll see you around" to Jack, and then starts walking until he dry-heaves, is he on his way to thumbing home? Does Jack realize he has to hitch a ride to get home? And as to their first reunion, do you think if Ennis had not had consumed all the beers, that the reunion would have happened as it did?

[sam]

Very insightful, Sam. And you just reminded me of a question I had which is a bit off topic: after Ennis says his "guess I'll see you around" to Jack, and then starts walking until he dry-heaves, is he on his way to thumbing home? Does Jack realize he has to hitch a ride to get home? And as to their first reunion, do you think if Ennis had not had consumed all the beers, that the reunion would have happened as it did?

Thanks for bringing this up Stephen, I often pondered that scene too, wondering why Jack didn't offer to give Ennis a lift.  I've been thinking about it since the very first time I watched the movie, and the first reason that I could come up with is that maybe both of them were just heading in different/opposite directions...  If I'm not mistaken (please correct me if I am mistaken!), Ennis was a headin' for the train station (in the short story), which was located only a hop-skip-and-jump away from Aguirre's trailer...so he probably didn't need a lift as he wasn't going so far.

The second reason I could fathom up was the fact that both of them had probably been dreading the "final farewells" so much, that neither one of them knew of a "correct" or "appropriate" way of taking their leave.  With both of them just "playing it by ear"...things just turned out that way.  In my opinion, without deliberate intention on any of their parts.  It was just so tough for them to say goodbye to each other, that they both must have just (intuitively) felt that a simple and "quick" goodbye was the easiest/right way to go.

I mean, after a summer of being so close to each another...up on the Mountain, where things were so idyllic...being up there alone together...caught up in their own small almost perfect world...having fun, sharing together deep warmth and affection...far away from the rest of the world, having to face the brutal fact that the summer had abruptly come to an end (Aguirre called them down from the mountain prematurely), must have been downright devastating for them.  They finally have to come back down to "reality" again.  Both of them are still confused by the emotions they feel for each other.  And both are hiding their feelings...trying to be brave.  Trying to "be a man".  At this point, neither of them want to admit to any gay feelings. ("I'm not queer...Neither am I.") They seem to be so awkward saying their sudden "goodbyes" (if you can even call it that!). I just think that they they decided to keep it simple and short.  To have offered a ride, would have just prolonged the agony of farewell...

If you ask me, I truly think that Jack had been hoping all along for some kind of sign from Ennis (however tiny it might have been!), which would have shown him that Ennis was open to perhaps continuing or building on their relationship now that they were now down from the Mountain.  If you watch that scene carefully, the one just before they both go their separate ways, you will see that Jack is almost always looking directly at Ennis.  It looks like he is studying Ennis' every movement, glance, gesture...hoping for a glimmer of hope.  Any small sign of acceptance.  But, Ennis is aware that Jack has his eyes on him.  He looks downright uncomfortable and tries to avoid Jack's direct stare.  He looks down, constantly fiddles with that cotton bag, mopes in a fidgety way about his 'lost shirt'.  I got the impression that he was so damn terrified that Jack would bring up their 'summer romance'...

This scene is a classic example of two people saying one thing to the other, while meaning/ or referring to something completely different.  For example:

Jack says: "You gonna do this again next summer?"
Ennis answers: ""Oh, maybe not.  Like I said, me and Alma is gettin' married in November...So, uh..."
Meaning:
Jack: "Will I see you again next summer? Can we meet up again? Would you like to see me again next summer, Ennis?"
Ennis: "Uh...well...I'm not queer you know...I already told you: me and my girlfriend Alma is gonna get married.  No, I don't think it's possible to see you anymore..."

Jack says: "I might be back...if the army don't get me."
Meaning:
"Well, ok...I hear you, Ennis...I understand what you are saying to me.  I know that it's hard for you.  But: listen: I'll be here again next summer...if you ever change your mind and decide you want to see me again...  I'll be here next summer, Ennis.  I really want to see you again, Ennis..."  Keeps looking at Ennis.  Hoping for any kind of affirmation...

Ennis avoids giving Jack any kind of accepting sign.  With only fleeting, almost furtive glances back to Jack, he quickly just answers with:
"Well, I guess I'll see you around, huh?"
Meaning:
Please Jack, this is the end of this conversation.  I don't want to talk about it anymore.  I understand you, but let's just leave it be.  It's time for us to end this now...

Jack answers: "Right."
Looks saddened and crushed.  His black hat tilts and he has to look down for a second in deep disappointment.  Finally accepts Ennis' refusal to commit with heavy resignation.  There is a trace of great and emty sadness in both his eyes.

(None of them are smiling.  In fact, they both have an almost grim, tight and desperate looking grimace on their faces...)

Ennis notices the deep sadness in Jacks eyes.  He too has to look down...looks away from Jack.  He can't seem to deal with it.  Maybe he feels guilty for not being able to give Jack what he's asking for...(What he also truly wants himself...)...so he shoves his hand in his jacket pocket (body language="closed/shut off")...abruptly turns...and starts to walk away from Jack and his truck in a swirl of dry, prarie dust...

Jack enters the battered truck without a second delay, and not saying a word more, he hurriedly drives off.
He looks back at the image of the solitary Ennis on the road behind him, in the pickup's round outside side mirror.  Sooooo small...and already sooooo far away from him...  There is great disappointment reflected in his eyes.  He lets out a small, deep, melancholic sigh...

We can almost hear him thinking: "Why not Ennis?  Why not?  We could have a sweet life together...". :'(

But of course...this is just the way I personally percieved this scene. (Big sigh!)  Maybe you all have a different perception of it than mine...

sam

And as to their first reunion, do you think if Ennis had not had consumed all the beers, that the reunion would have happened as it did?

I think so.  His return postcard with "You bet." revealed to us his true and innermost feelings for Jack.

[jerasjr]

Sam, you express things so well...am going to have you write out BBM from your view.  It would be as insightful as anything we have seen.

[matsuki33]

Sam you had left me without words, if I totally agree with your perception it is excellent!!!!

[BBBOY]

I think so.  His return postcard with "You bet." revealed to us his true and innermost feelings for Jack.

good take and great observation Sam except for the story. In the story both the boys have driven trucks to Signal. "Right, said Jack, and they shook hands, hit each other on the shoulder, then there was forty feet of distance between them and nothing to do but drive away in opposite directions. Within  a mile Ennis felt like someone was pulling his guts out hand over hand a yard at a time. He stopped at the side of the road and, in the whirling new snow, tried to puke but noting came up." The first time I read this I had to walk away from the book I was reading. It was just too hard to accept.

[sam]

good take and great observation Sam except for the story. In the story both the boys have driven trucks to Signal. "Right, said Jack, and they shook hands, hit each other on the shoulder, then there was forty feet of distance between them and nothing to do but drive away in opposite directions. Within  a mile Ennis felt like someone was pulling his guts out hand over hand a yard at a time. He stopped at the side of the road and, in the whirling new snow, tried to puke but noting came up." The first time I read this I had to walk away from the book I was reading. It was just too hard to accept.

Thanks BBBOY, you are probably right about the short story. I'll have to check that out.  (Gives me another reason to re-read the short story, hehe!~~it's been awhile since I first read it...)  (I had just been to see the movie again yesterday afternoon for like the 20th time!~~so I must have only had the cinematic images in my head when I wrote the above post late last night.)  But it seems that in both the screenplay and in the final commercial film version, Ennis has hitched a ride to Signal, rather than have had driven himself into Signal.  In the movie, we see this at almost the very start: he steps off that large dark blue and red "cargo" (?) truck with shiny metallic trim after it suddenly stops and lets him disembark along side that grassy piece of road in the soft, early morning sunlight...(just before the words "1963-Signal Wyoming" appear on the bottom of your screen).  It looks (from the movie introductory shots) as if they had been travelling all night, in the dark...  We see Ennis hop down from the high cab, and put his coat on, balancing/jiggling with his brown paper grocery sack as he does this...before turning and walking down that deserted street towards Aguirre's "Farm and Ranch Employment Office" in that trailer.

And in the movie, didn't Ennis say something about the transmission on his pickup being "broke", (so that he couldn't continue attending high school)?

Anyway, here are some excerpts from my copy of the screenplay:

MAIN STREET, SIGNAL WYOMING:

The truck stops with a screech of air brakes...

ENNIS steps out of the truck, no suitcase, just a grocery sack stuffed with his only other shirt and pair of Levi's.

The truck moves again, almost before he hits the ground, spraying him with dust.

No one in sight on the streets of Signal...

Hehe...but, I admit: I love this film so much...I can see how my imagination sometimes just gets the better of me, and I sometimes start to see things that might not entirely be there!  Just call it: "creative fan imagination/forum post writing", if you please.  LOL~lol~LOL!   "OOOOoooeeeeeee! I jest git carried away and I can't seem to help it!"

from an honest-to-goodness, present-day suffering, Post-Brokeback Mountain-Syndrome victim: sam

"I tell you what, this here a film has got me good!~~And I mean it!" 

[Rønnaug]

Had the parting in signal been like the reunion in Riverton the neither would have been any good. That is what I think I agre with u'r post sam about wanting to do it fast, hurt less when you rip of the band-aid u know And It does make the reunion so much more believable cause this is what Ennis has wanted ever since he saw Jack drive off. Thats what I think

[Stephen]

thank you so much, Sam, for your detailed and cogent response to my questions; but aren't the details of that scene in the  book different from those on the screen?  The film opens with the 14? wheeler driving across the screen and then we find, don't we, that Ennis has hitched a ride, apparantly  a long way, to the trailer in search of a summer job. So, when he and Jack part, I'm imagining Ennis having to return all that way.....and thank you for taking me back to the story; I'd already forgotten the details you mentioned. I love your insights on the emotional subtexts of Ennis and Jack's parting scene.....and now I'll take these to my next viewing when the DVD is released!

[NoReins]

Had the parting in signal been like the reunion in Riverton the neither would have been any good. That is what I think I agre with u'r post sam about wanting to do it fast, hurt less when you rip of the band-aid u know And It does make the reunion so much more believable cause this is what Ennis has wanted ever since he saw Jack drive off. Thats what I think

I think that's very true Esme. The reunion is so amazing because their departure from Brokeback is so quick and heartless (at least on the surface - although not if you watch their eyes and facial expressions) Although the movie doesn't reveal directly that Ennis has been thinking ("wringin' it out"!) about Jack over those four years, there are loads of subtle signs - his gut cramps, the way he has sex with Alma (or is it just me who thinks that shows he's thinking of Jack? :-[), the reaction when he gets the postcard...

I think that both of them have been hoping for that sort of reaction at the reunion, but neither of them is sure it will be like that. The hug, however, reveals everything - they're hugging so tightly that they would feel the other's heart beating faster and, I'm guessing, feel each other tremble....and when the desire is that obvious and that strong, they're both powerless to resist where it takes them.

I still love the look of surprise on Jack's face when Ennis slams him against the wall though. Someone, somewhere, said it was like "what the hell???" to "hell, yes" in 10 seconds - great description.

[edgar]

Something that struck me very much in the "second chapter" of the movie--Ennis's years right after marriage--was how feminine Ennis's world was. When they live in the country, he is stuck at home with three females all day.
When they move into town, "above the laundrymat," it's also a feminine atmosphere. Sure, Ennis still works with men, but, being Ennis, he doesn't really connect with the guys there.

Ennis, having grown up mostly without a father, and having been pushed out of his home by an insensitive brother, longs for a friendship with another male. I don't really think he is much planning on the sex with Jack (though he certainly doesn't mind), but he responds "You bet" because he is very very lonely for the only (male) friend he has ever had.

Then, with the drinking and all, his deepest feelings/desires overflow--certainly he had not plannned that. The hug is what he planned; the kissing was an accident.

If things had been different--if Jack had come several hours earlier, if Ennis hadn't been drinking... They *might* have just gone out for some beers, flirted a little, and Ennis gone back home, sending Jack off to his parents. All the factors just happened to be in place, and Ennis was so hungry for male companionship that he slipped into something he never intended to. (But, like I said before, something he enjoyed, and wanted on some level.)

[Stephen]

Edgar, thank you for you interesting insights; you pull a lot together that I hadn't really thought about! Yes, Ennis must have had a subcoonscious need for male companionship and fate brought Jack, who filled the bill as friend, soulmate, and surprisingly, lover! Ennis had it all, but of course could not know that until it was too late. The reunion, as many have said, is all the more powerful because we were left with a bittersweet and abrupt parting after the Mountain summer, and Ennis seemed destined to enter married life without looking back!

[keren_b]

If things had been different--if Jack had come several hours earlier, if Ennis hadn't been drinking... They *might* have just gone out for some beers, flirted a little, and Ennis gone back home, sending Jack off to his parents. All the factors just happened to be in place, and Ennis was so hungry for male companionship that he slipped into something he never intended to. (But, like I said before, something he enjoyed, and wanted on some level.)

I, on the other hand, think that it would've happened with or without the drinking. I don't think it would've mattered if Jack came a coupla hours earlier. Ennis had such strong feelings for Jack and he wanted him so much, subconsciously or not, that once Jack was in his arms the kiss and what followed were inevitable.

[aimi15]

If things had been different--if Jack had come several hours earlier, if Ennis hadn't been drinking... They *might* have just gone out for some beers, flirted a little, and Ennis gone back home, sending Jack off to his parents. All the factors just happened to be in place, and Ennis was so hungry for male companionship that he slipped into something he never intended to. (But, like I said before, something he enjoyed, and wanted on some level.)

I, on the other hand, think that it would've happened with or without the drinking. I don't think it would've mattered if Jack came a coupla hours earlier. Ennis had such strong feelings for Jack and he wanted him so much, subconsciously or not, that once Jack was in his arms the kiss and what followed were inevitable.

Agreed keren.  Even when we first see Ennis (i'm presuming its morning) before he has drunk too much beer, he is anxiously waiting by the window, wearing his best shirt, chainsmoking - he must have run the scenario over and over ever since he received postcard from Jack. Alma offered to go out with them and he quickly put her off - he wanted Jack all to himself despite the fact he'd not seen him for 4 years, and as soon as he did see him - WOW. 

[edgar]

Just to clarify what I'm sayin'...

I really think the sexual nature of the reunion (including the kissing) took Ennis by surprise. Heck, Ennis never goes beyond the "I'm not queer" stage in examining his sexuality. Ennis *didn't know* that he and Jack would "get back into" the sexual aspect of their relationship.

I think that, in his mind, he was just really looking forward to seeing an old friend again, especially since his childhod and his present life were so short of good male companions.

Jack was *hoping* for the rekindling of a lifetime love affair, of course. But I think he probably expected Ennis to resist. He was obviously shocked when Ennis kissed him. For all Jack *knew* (as opposed to dreamed, thought, hoped, fantasized), they would meet, have a coupla low-altitude beers, and then a replay of "Well, I guess I'll see ya round, then."

[ethan]

edgar, thank you for your interesting posting.

I too agree that Jack and Ennis were not expecting anything like their kisses. Ennis must have gone through the time he and Jack had back in Brokeback Mountain. Seeing Jack, Ennis just could not resist to show his affection. The result was the reunion kisses we all cherish dearly. 

[keren_b]

My turn to clarify myself...

Edgar, I understand what you're saying and you may be right - it's pretty hard for me to "decide" what Ennis was or wasn't expecting, but what you say makes a lot of sense. still, my point is that even if Ennis didn't expect anything like that, once he hugged Jack the kissing was inevitable - even if he hasn't been drinking. Once he had Jack in his arms he couldn't repress his feelings any longer.

[bubbaluna]

Just to clarify what I'm sayin'...

I really think the sexual nature of the reunion (including the kissing) took Ennis by surprise. Heck, Ennis never goes beyond the "I'm not queer" stage in examining his sexuality. Ennis *didn't know* that he and Jack would "get back into" the sexual aspect of their relationship.

I think that, in his mind, he was just really looking forward to seeing an old friend again, especially since his childhod and his present life were so short of good male companions.

Jack was *hoping* for the rekindling of a lifetime love affair, of course. But I think he probably expected Ennis to resist. He was obviously shocked when Ennis kissed him. For all Jack *knew* (as opposed to dreamed, thought, hoped, fantasized), they would meet, have a coupla low-altitude beers, and then a replay of "Well, I guess I'll see ya round, then."

Oh  I don't agree at all. Ennis was much too nervous and much too anxious about meeting Jack to just be expecting they would have a few beers. Drinking or not the way his face lights up when he sees Jack his underlying hope was that somehow someway they would rekindle their "love" although he would be loathe to call it that. Now I would agree that he probably felt he needed to drink in order to calm himself and face up to whatever might come next. Although he likely suspected that Jack MUST have wanted him, he couldn't be absolutely sure until they were in each other's arms. But  with the way Ennis "prettied" himself up with his best shirt and took the day off from work he had to   at least be hoping for a lot more than a few beers...my take anyway.....