It never ceases to amaze me when I read all the posts here, the amount of creative, sensitive, perceptive talent in this forum.
Tony, you ask the most interesting of questions: would Heath have been a brokie if he didn't portrayed the role of Ennis.
Keren_b, your view of Heath and Ennis as two sides of the same coin, how to and how not to live life without regrets.
GuyinJax, your statements, that "regret is a sensitive, thoughtful, loving teacher. He helps us remember things with a gentle nudge, a distant pain. To deny regret in one's life is to give in to the notion that life happens twenty four hours at a time. It doesn't. Regret is my constant companion, my guide." is wisdom distilled from experience.
To answer Tony's question, I dare speculate that Heath would be definitely a brokie because he would connect with the story, just as he connected with Adam Sutton, and Ennis Del Mar. He would understand the pain of regret, the pain of love unexpressed. And I disagree, Tony, that Heath would not be obsessed with Brokeback Mountain, like us. He has that passion about him, like his passion for Drake's music. When you are this connected, there is no arguing. Heath would love the movie as much as we do. All his movies has the theme of the individual struggling against all odds, society, circumstance, himself, to express love. Brokeback Mountain was Heath's destiny, and if he didn't take part in it, he would be forever a part of us. Born of their love, Bound by ours, including Heath's.
For Keren_b, I have only this to say: fast or slow, Jake would love the direction you are going. Do not worry how fast you can change your old habits. The fact is, you have decided to change, that is the first step. Once you pick up speed, and momentum, nothing can stop you. I have faith in you.
Guyinjax, I understand what you feel, and I have also watched Brokeback Mountain again, feeling the same pain in the last few scenes. The pain was not just for Ennis, and myself, but now, also for Heath. For I see not only Ennis on the screeen, as I used to do before that tragic day. I now see also Heath on the screen with Ennis, and the tears are for him, too...for his not being around to play another role, to show his skills as director, to sing another lullaby to Matilda, to ... :\'( BUT I also feel the same peace, when Heath/Ennis touch the two shirts, and brush his thumb along the postcard of Brokeback Mountain, and say to Jack, I swear. Because, now it is not only Ennis saying it to Jack, but also I, saying it to Heath. The road may be long and lonely ahead, but there is bittersweet remembrance, and hope for the future, and MOST OF ALL, there is friendship, and family, not only in this forum, but also in real life. Each and every regret is a gentle nudge, a distant pain, that reminds me to seize the day, and not let another opportunity goes to waste, to say and express how I feel, to not be afraid.
I never cared much for formality, so the Academy Awards were interesting to watch, but not that life-shatteringly important. The fact that they did not give Heath the Best Actor Award that year, said more about them, than him. His work speaks for itself. Their action will always be questioned by future generations. How they attempt to correct this, will be interesting to watch as well. For me, it is but a minor footnote in Heath's life. His awards are more than just the tangible ones.
To everyone who contributed to this amazing thread...In Loving Memory, you are ALL amazing.
And most of all,
