Topic: Surreptitious Glances

[Badarsila]

Didn't interpret the trailer scene meeting that way...What I saw was 2 guys appraising each other as probable, and I hate to use this word, companions for the summer.  Is he a good worker, looks strong, will he share the job, etc.  Someone mentioned Jack posing by his truck, leg tucked up against it, was probably a natural pose for a person at that time, not as suggestive as in an open meat market type of scene.  We can see Ennis in the mirror, but can Jack?  Given the angles, maybe not.  Seems like Jack would be looking at his own shoulder and face.  Given the pace of the film itself don't know if the first meeting would be that obvious... maybe later after they had spent some time together, you have to consider that their time on the mountain was not days, but weeks.     

Yeah, they spend those long weeks looking, looking, and more looking at each other, checkin each other inside out,-if u know what i mean yeah? - until finally their lookin turns into an eruption of glorious passions.....*sssiigghhh*....

Maaannnn how i love BBM,...*sssiigghhh*....

[pattyjean]

Didn't interpret the trailer scene meeting that way...What I saw was 2 guys appraising each other as probable, and I hate to use this word, companions for the summer.  Is he a good worker, looks strong, will he share the job, etc.  Someone mentioned Jack posing by his truck, leg tucked up against it, was probably a natural pose for a person at that time, not as suggestive as in an open meat market type of scene.  We can see Ennis in the mirror, but can Jack?  Given the angles, maybe not.  Seems like Jack would be looking at his own shoulder and face.  Given the pace of the film itself don't know if the first meeting would be that obvious... maybe later after they had spent some time together, you have to consider that their time on the mountain was not days, but weeks.     

I totally agree with your take on those first glances.  My two favorites were: 1.  The two come-on glances Ennis gives Jack when he says, "My Dad thought all rodeo cowboys was f***ups.  He's definitely trying get Jack push Jack's buttons!  2.  The actual nail-biting glances Ennis gives Jack during the confrontation scene--the very last time they saw each other...

[rimasworld]

How about when Ennis comes back to camp and Jack is taking down the tent telling Ennis they have to leave early, Ennis goes over to pout like a little kid about not getting all his pay but at the same time keeps checking out Jack's ass when he's bending over. We all know why he was pouting and it sure wasn't about money!   

[pattyjean]

How about when Ennis comes back to camp and Jack is taking down the tent telling Ennis they have to leave early, Ennis goes over to pout like a little kid about not getting all his pay but at the same time keeps checking out Jack's ass when he's bending over. We all know why he was pouting and it sure wasn't about money!   

Damn rimasworld--you're good!  Somewhere, like you, I posted that Ennis was pouting just before the lasso scene--not because he was losing a month's pay, but because he was losing that last euphoric month with JACK!  And the bloody nose caused him to react violently with the realization that he had been totally and completely reeled in by Jack.  He absolutely HATED the idea of the forthcoming separation from Jack--and the painful loss of the only perfect love he had ever experienced in his life.  Hence, the hard punch was delivered!

[maggie]

Damn rimasworld--you're good!  Somewhere, like you, I posted that Ennis was pouting just before the lasso scene--not because he was losing a month's pay, but because he was losing that last euphoric month with JACK!  And the bloody nose caused him to react violently with the realization that he had been totally and completely reeled in by Jack.  He absolutely HATED the idea of the forthcoming separation from Jack--and the painful loss of the only perfect love he had ever experienced in his life.  Hence, the hard punch was delivered!

Well said Pattyjean!  He thought he had another month with Jack and to have to leave so early was more
than he could take...poor Ennis.   

[pattyjean]

Well said Pattyjean!  He thought he had another month with Jack and to have to leave so early was more
than he could take...poor Ennis.   

Yes--poor Ennis!  Love the one-second glance Ennis gives Jack when they are riding horseback, bringing the sheep down in mid-August.  Ennis' tight brown plaid shirt and that one glance say it all!

[tpe]

I totally agree with your take on those first glances.  My two favorites were: 1.  The two come-on glances Ennis gives Jack when he says, "My Dad thought all rodeo cowboys was f***ups.  He's definitely trying get Jack push Jack's buttons! 

He certainly did!

2.  The actual nail-biting glances Ennis gives Jack during the confrontation scene--the very last time they saw each other...

There was so much tension in that look...

[tpe]

How about when Ennis comes back to camp and Jack is taking down the tent telling Ennis they have to leave early, Ennis goes over to pout like a little kid about not getting all his pay but at the same time keeps checking out Jack's ass when he's bending over. We all know why he was pouting and it sure wasn't about money!   

Yes, many of us here do believe that it wasn't the money at all that was the issue.

The glance Jack gave Ennis after he had packed is one of the most beautiful ones in this movie...

[rimasworld]

Yes, many of us here do believe that it wasn't the money at all that was the issue.

The glance Jack gave Ennis after he had packed is one of the most beautiful ones in this movie...

Yes, that look told me Jack was definitely in love with Ennis. Ennis on the other hand didn't have a clue imo but he was feeling angry about the situation at hand and confused about everything that had proceeded it.

[myprivatejack]

Yes, many of us here do believe that it wasn't the money at all that was the issue.

The glance Jack gave Ennis after he had packed is one of the most beautiful ones in this movie...

Yes,I agree completely.But I'd add one of Jack's most touching glances,IMO; the one he gives Ennis while they're speaking just before saying goodbye to each other.This glance while he's saying that maybe he'll come back to BBM next summer is a way of saying "please,don't go,give me some hope...",a desesperate supplication and a way of proving if Ennis feels the same for him.
And the little and shy glances that Ennis gives him-never directly,never openly...-is a protection against its strenght,to avoid falling into his blue deepness and never go away.Indeed,a good visual work on the part of Heath and Jake¡.

[atalley]

There are so many, but I really love when Jack is riding at night and looking down into the valley where Ennis has made his camp.  Also, after FNIT as Ennis is leaving the camp.

[pattyjean]

Yes,I agree completely.But I'd add one of Jack's most touching glances,IMO; the one he gives Ennis while they're speaking just before saying goodbye to each other.This glance while he's saying that maybe he'll come back to BBM next summer is a way of saying "please,don't go,give me some hope...",a desesperate supplication and a way of proving if Ennis feels the same for him.
And the little and shy glances that Ennis gives him-never directly,never openly...-is a protection against its strenght,to avoid falling into his blue deepness and never go away.Indeed,a good visual work on the part of Heath and Jake¡.

YES!  I love what Jack did with his eyebrows when he said, "I might be back (next year)".  He did exactly the same thing in Rendition when he said, "Maybe I'll get to use my gun!"  Facial expressions to die for!

[tpe]

Yes, that look told me Jack was definitely in love with Ennis. Ennis on the other hand didn't have a clue imo but he was feeling angry about the situation at hand and confused about everything that had proceeded it.

Yes,I agree completely.But I'd add one of Jack's most touching glances,IMO; the one he gives Ennis while they're speaking just before saying goodbye to each other.This glance while he's saying that maybe he'll come back to BBM next summer is a way of saying "please,don't go,give me some hope...",a desesperate supplication and a way of proving if Ennis feels the same for him.
And the little and shy glances that Ennis gives him-never directly,never openly...-is a protection against its strenght,to avoid falling into his blue deepness and never go away.Indeed,a good visual work on the part of Heath and Jake¡.

Thanks friends.  I admit that I find this glance very moving.  Though not completely surreptitious, I think it only hints at the enormous empathy and understanding Jack had for Ennis at that moment.

[tpe]

There are so many, but I really love when Jack is riding at night and looking down into the valley where Ennis has made his camp.  Also, after FNIT as Ennis is leaving the camp.

Yes, that was quite beautiful.  The smile that punctuated it was very beautiful.

[pattyjean]

Yes, many of us here do believe that it wasn't the money at all that was the issue.

The glance Jack gave Ennis after he had packed is one of the most beautiful ones in this movie...

I was concerned that Jack did not seem upset about bringing the sheep down early.  Now I understand that he probably figured that his love affair with Ennis did not have to end--it could go on forever, since they both lived in Wyoming.  And Ennis' impending marriage was no problem at all for Jack, considering the explosive mutual attraction between them...and Ennis' apparent sadness over their parting...

[myprivatejack]

I was concerned that Jack did not seem upset about bringing the sheep down early.  Now I understand that he probably figured that his love affair with Ennis did not have to end--it could go on forever, since they both lived in Wyoming.  And Ennis' impending marriage was no problem at all for Jack, considering the explosive mutual attraction between them...and Ennis' apparent sadness over their parting...

I also believe this,Pattyjean.That's why Jack seems so easy in comparison with a really upset and sad Ennis; the first believed that their relationship would last,at least,that he would keep on meeting Ennis down the mountain.As you have said,he knew that Ennis was going to get married,but I even believe that he thought that he would break the compromise,since he also knew the strong attraction and love they felt for each other.Whereas Ennis knew that "this" couldn't happen,in spite of his innest feelings; for this reason,his reaction was much more radical than Jack's.

[pattyjean]

I also believe this,Pattyjean.That's why Jack seems so easy in comparison with a really upset and sad Ennis; the first believed that their relationship would last,at least,that he would keep on meeting Ennis down the mountain.As you have said,he knew that Ennis was going to get married,but I even believe that he thought that he would break the compromise,since he also knew the strong attraction and love they felt for each other.Whereas Ennis knew that "this" couldn't happen,in spite of his innest feelings; for this reason,his reaction was much more radical than Jack's.

Yes--Ennis needed a cover, which his marriage to Alma would give him.  Remember that Ennis had not yet told Jack about "Rich and Earl", so Jack could not fathom the paralyzing fear that Ennis was experiencing...

[myprivatejack]

Yes--Ennis needed a cover, which his marriage to Alma would give him.  Remember that Ennis had not yet told Jack about "Rich and Earl", so Jack could not fathom the paralyzing fear that Ennis was experiencing...

Of course,I agree.So,Ennis was struggling inside himself between his feelings and his duties; duties that his fear took to him...

[smartestsonia]

It amazes me how the attraction between Ennis and Jack is shown so subtly throughout the entire movie.

Seeing the film last weekend, I found one such example which I did not notice in prior viewings.

Close to the beginning of the movie, Aguirre is giving out instructions to Ennis and Jack in his trailer.  Aguirre is interrupted by a phone call.  While Aguirre is on the phone, you see Ledger/Ennis stealing a glance at an unsuspecting Gyllenhaal/Jack while the latter has his head bowed.  When Ledger/Ennis looks away, you immediately see Gyllenhaal/Jack giving his now unsuspecting co-herder a surreptitious glance that is also so full of longing.  This exchange occurs in the short time when Aguirre is busy with the phone call!!!!

Just thought I wanted to share this.  Feel free to give similar examples.

good observation....this one second glance is subtle yet prominent..the 1st glance was really intense i feel when they saw each other for the 1st time....that increased curiosity to know the other and it was followed by the scene that u have described...

[tpe]

I was concerned that Jack did not seem upset about bringing the sheep down early.  Now I understand that he probably figured that his love affair with Ennis did not have to end--it could go on forever, since they both lived in Wyoming.  And Ennis' impending marriage was no problem at all for Jack, considering the explosive mutual attraction between them...and Ennis' apparent sadness over their parting...

I also think that Jack was better in hiding his feelings -- compared to Ennis, certainly.  Even his disappointment after Ennis rejected his proposal for a sweet life after the 4 years barely showed in that scene -- there is only a hint of an edge in his voice when he said "Every 4 f**king years?"  And there was barely any when he asked "For how long".  If you see any hint of how he truly felt, you had to look at his glances, or the way he looked at Ennis (or his refusal to look at him.)

[rimasworld]

How about when Jack is trying to stay on the bucking mare to ride up to the sheep, his legs hanging on to the horse's flanks real tight and Ennis is watching. As Jack gives him that look and rides away after getting the horse somewhat in control, Ennis cocks his head a little sideways and keeps looking as Jack rides off. 

[Romeo164]

Yes--poor Ennis!  Love the one-second glance Ennis gives Jack when they are riding horseback, bringing the sheep down in mid-August.  Ennis' tight brown plaid shirt and that one glance say it all!

I didn't notice that one. Guess this is just another excuse for me to watch the DVD again. 

[Romeo164]

Yes,I agree completely.But I'd add one of Jack's most touching glances,IMO; the one he gives Ennis while they're speaking just before saying goodbye to each other.This glance while he's saying that maybe he'll come back to BBM next summer is a way of saying "please,don't go,give me some hope...",a desesperate supplication and a way of proving if Ennis feels the same for him.
And the little and shy glances that Ennis gives him-never directly,never openly...-is a protection against its strenght,to avoid falling into his blue deepness and never go away.Indeed,a good visual work on the part of Heath and Jake¡.

I totally agree. To me, that scene has a hidden sadness about it, what with the wind howling in the background. Jack probably thought Ennis didn't care, but it looked like Ennis didn't really know how to handle it and kept mumblin away at how he lost the shirt.

[smartestsonia]

I love the glance Jack gives Ennis after Ennis tells him that "thats the most he spoke in a year"...after that just before Jack starts dancing Jack stares at Ennis from up to down..wow..what a stare

[pattyjean]

I looked up surreptitiousin the dictionary:  It means clandestine!  And nothing gets more clandestine than when Ennis is "starkers" and Jack is peeling the potato!  Rest assured that Jack can see Ennis just fine using his peripheral vision!  Every slosh of the washcloth is high-altitude high-definition for Jack the whole time Ennis is "warshing everything he can reach" (Annie Proulx).

[myprivatejack]

I love the glance Jack gives Ennis after Ennis tells him that "thats the most he spoke in a year"...after that just before Jack starts dancing Jack stares at Ennis from up to down..wow..what a stare

What I've also noticed in this scene is that Ennis-after having said that it was the most he had spoken in a year-is exchanging some smitten glances with Jack,O.K.?.But,just before saying what his father said about rodeo cowboys,he's looking Jack from up to down also,but I'd said that making an special remark in his "middle" part of his body.There's a pic in which it seems very clear,at least IMO; has anybody noticed this too?.

[smartestsonia]

What I've also noticed in this scene is that Ennis-after having said that it was the most he had spoken in a year-is exchanging some smitten glances with Jack,O.K.?.But,just before saying what his father said about rodeo cowboys,he's looking Jack from up to down also,but I'd said that making an special remark in his "middle" part of his body.There's a pic in which it seems very clear,at least IMO; has anybody noticed this too?.

ya i have noticed that..and that glace is dam cute and adorable

[myprivatejack]

ya i have noticed that..and that glace is dam cute and adorable

And full with desire,even if Ennis didn't realise it,or didn't want to realise it...

[rimasworld]

And full with desire,even if Ennis didn't realise it,or didn't want to realise it...

Yep, the lust bug had bitten Ennis and its name was Jack Twist

[rimasworld]

I looked up surreptitiousin the dictionary:  It means clandestine!  And nothing gets more clandestine than when Ennis is "starkers" and Jack is peeling the potato!  Rest assured that Jack can see Ennis just fine using his peripheral vision!  Every slosh of the washcloth is high-altitude high-definition for Jack the whole time Ennis is "warshing everything he can reach" (Annie Proulx).

I love this scene, so much going on.. Ennis washing a few feet from Jack and Jack trying not to look but we know he's sneaking a peek. It's so sensual,again with no words spoken..Jacks face and body language says it all. Great scene