Have to say I think one ways works really well in written form, while the other works equally well in graphic form. Plus it has given us one the most memorable scenes in moviedom, Jack's rearview mirror sight of a slightly bowlegged Ennis walking down the street all alone with his flour sack of worldly goods over his shoulder. And of course the heartbreak Jack felt in seeing this.
The reintroduction of the "Ennis in the rearview mirror" effect (the first being in Aguirre's parking lot when Jack's shavin') is a pure stroke of movie genius to me. It would seem to be a pure Ang Lee motif as it is not included or described thus in the filmscripts. Jack's view of Ennis, the mirrored view, a man reverse - it would have been very difficult to put this effect into words (even for Annie), but Ang's genius was able to capture the idea of this image simply and profoundly, twice. MHO.
Interesting points, guys. I never
thought about the nuance of this scene. Since you mentioned it, I can see the genius, Jackster. I also see a difference in the book vs movie interpretation of Ennis.
The book describes Ennis as bigger than life, faster than average, strong and tough. The movie, through Heath's genius as well as Ang Lee's, portrarys Ennis as all that but also vulnerable and a little kid in a big man's body.
The rear view mirror bit is genius, I concur, because it shows "object is smaller than they are" and also captures the man in a little circle, detached from reality, as if Ennis is contained, caged, not free to do as he wishes, going down a long stretch of road, with no choices, no where to go.
I wonder about the choice of switching directions, instead of going opposite ways, watching Ennis coming at him from behind,
why didn't Jack turn around and offer him a lift? It's an obvious question that must have crossed everyone's mind. Perhaps
that's why Ang Lee introduced the switch, to trigger that question, to show the strain between the two cowboys, as alienated by the fist fight, to the point of no return. Coming down the mountain, Jack watched Ennis spitting in anger or whatever. They stooped silently while Joe counted the sheep and put them down. They were at their lowest point. The little exchange at the truck was also strained, but not enough apparently for Ang Lee. The rear-view mirror scene brought tears for me during the earliest viewings, and no doubt, my next viewing after so many months.
The drama of watching the tiny approaching Ennis getting smaller, I think, is more intense when the "lost opportunity" of not getting a lift is compounded with the "lost opportunity" of a life time.
Just my two bits. Thanks for the new ideas, Jackster, jedibarrister. May the force be with you.
