Topic: Question about a scene - When Ennis met Jack after his Divorce (spoiler)

[Chase]

Hi,

This just came to my mind and I want to ask about it.

The scene where Jack drove to Ennis's place and Ennis was standing in the yard with his daughter in the truck. Jack wants to get together but Ennis says I have my daughter for the weekend...only get her once a month. You can see the dissappointment in Jacks eyes...In the background a truck appears to be driving up and Jack looks over his shoulder at it. Then says something like "I understand"

Any significance to this???

Also, anyone know the name of the actor that played the hubby to the yappy friend of Lureen's? Jack and Him were sitting outside the hall smoking...and the hubby wanted to go "camping" with Jack.


Damn cant get this movie off my mind

Chase

[stationbbm]

Chase!  Just responded to your great note earlier!

The scene to which you refer was only an exchange between Ennis and Jack that adds to the issue Jack has about limited time, limited access, limted relationship.  You will recall that Jack drove up after a non-stop 14 hour drive from Texas only to be told by Ennis that he'd be spending the weekend with his daughter.  Wouldn't a cellphone call have been nice?...or frankly any type of phone call?  Then again, Ennis isn't too terribly sharp for thinking ahead.  Jack was incredibly patient and understanding.  I would have never done that.  I would have told him right there, "Look.  Next time you wanna get together, you jump in your truck and head my way.  There are two-way roads that lead to Texas.  Later."

I don't believe the truck in the backdrop was of any significance, just part of the scene.

The actor on the bench next to Jack...not sure of his name...will do some research and let you know...I'm not even sure that I've seen him in other things...will see what I can find.

I am with you.  I cannot get this movie out of my head either.  Hard to explain.  You should run to a bookstore and get the "Open Range" short stories by Annie Proulx.  The very last short story is Brokeback Mountain.  30 pages.  Quick read. 

stationbbm

[Krispera]

You can see the dissappointment in Jacks eyes...In the background a truck appears to be driving up and Jack looks over his shoulder at it. Then says something like "I understand"

Any significance to this???

I think Jack thought someone was coming so thats why he said '' I understand '' but I think he's wrong like stationbbm said

I don't believe the truck in the backdrop was of any significance, just part of the scene.

[waterwalkingjesus]

The truck represents the fact that they could get caught at anytime. A ranch neighbor driving by, possibly seeing the two together, coming to conclusions, etc. This emphasizes that real reason why Ennis doesn't want to be with Jack. He's afraid of getting caught and possibly killed. The truck plays a huge part in the scene, IMO.

[CoyotePiper]

Waterwalking is right. The truck represents that anyone at anytime could just casually make the conection that Ennis is queer by noticing Jack hanging around too much.

That can't even relate as str8 guys possibly just BS'ing. Whenever they are together someone might figure it out - someone in a truck just happening by for instance.

[natalia]

David Harbour plays the husband of the chatty wife

[CoyotePiper]

David Harbour plays the husband of the chatty wife

And was that guy one hot Texas daddy bear or what? One of the most erotic, sexually charged scenes in the film. Notice how they sit with their legs spread wide as if their package is so big they can't close their legs. Don't get me started on this scene or you'll be sorry. 

[bobcarn]

What the truck really showed, more than anything, was Ennis' homophobia. Ennis only feels comfortable with Jack out in the "middle of nowhere". A random truck drives by, Ennis keeps his eyes on it out of fear of being discovered, Jack follows Ennis' gaze, sees he's watching the truck out of fear, realizes Ennis is NOT ready to cohabitate and that he made a big mistake, and says "I understand".

[Apollonos]

The scene to which you refer was only an exchange between Ennis and Jack that adds to the issue Jack has about limited time, limited access, limted relationship.  You will recall that Jack drove up after a non-stop 14 hour drive from Texas only to be told by Ennis that he'd be spending the weekend with his daughter.  Wouldn't a cellphone call have been nice?...or frankly any type of phone call?  Then again, Ennis isn't too terribly sharp for thinking ahead.  Jack was incredibly patient and understanding.  I would have never done that.  I would have told him right there, "Look.  Next time you wanna get together, you jump in your truck and head my way.  There are two-way roads that lead to Texas.  Later."

Did Ennis ever have a phone? I don't remember ever seeing a phone in any of the places Ennis lived. From Ennis' remarks, I got the idea that he was so dirt-poor, that he could never afford a phone, unlike Jack. That's why they were forced to communicate by postcard.

[Fleur]

What the truck really showed, more than anything, was Ennis' homophobia. Ennis only feels comfortable with Jack out in the "middle of nowhere". A random truck drives by, Ennis keeps his eyes on it out of fear of being discovered, Jack follows Ennis' gaze, sees he's watching the truck out of fear, realizes Ennis is NOT ready to cohabitate and that he made a big mistake, and says "I understand".

I agree - what this basically meant was that BBM was the only place they could ever be together - although I guess there was that one time in the motel. Ennis was not just putting Jack of on one occasion, what was implicit in that dialogue and scene with the truck was that Jack would never be welcome there ...

[Toadily]

What the truck really showed, more than anything, was Ennis' homophobia. Ennis only feels comfortable with Jack out in the "middle of nowhere". A random truck drives by, Ennis keeps his eyes on it out of fear of being discovered, Jack follows Ennis' gaze, sees he's watching the truck out of fear, realizes Ennis is NOT ready to cohabitate and that he made a big mistake, and says "I understand".

I agree - what this basically meant was that BBM was the only place they could ever be together - although I guess there was that one time in the motel. Ennis was not just putting Jack of on one occasion, what was implicit in that dialogue and scene with the truck was that Jack would never be welcome there ...

You know I never really thought about it like that but youre right, it was like you can't come within my home basically.  No offer to meet him later etc.  man, that's gotta hurt like hell.  Damn you Ennis!  You whoreson bitch!

[bbmlover]

I have another question about a scene. I thought i will use this common thread instead of starting a new one.

After Ennis fights with his x-wife on thanksgiving day - then he gets hit by a guy on road. The scene following where Jack & Ennis meet. While washing some dishes there is some arguement between them. Then Jack says "HE WILL STICK IT LOUD/OUT"

What does that mean. I'am just too bad in any slangs.

Then Ennis says "figured it out. Jack F***in' twist". So that sentence of Jack really pi**ed Ennis out. Please tell me what it means.

[tweric]

I think Jack said "I'm just thinking out loud" or the sort...

[bram]

I'm not sure that Ennis could have called Jack. I know plenty of people who can't afford phones, and as for a cellphone call, cellphones didn't exist until the mid 80's and they didn't get popular among the middle and lower classes until less then ten years ago. I didn't even think about owning one until 2004.

[april]

What the truck really showed, more than anything, was Ennis' homophobia. Ennis only feels comfortable with Jack out in the "middle of nowhere". A random truck drives by, Ennis keeps his eyes on it out of fear of being discovered, Jack follows Ennis' gaze, sees he's watching the truck out of fear, realizes Ennis is NOT ready to cohabitate and that he made a big mistake, and says "I understand".

I totally agree.

[camom]

Chase!  Just responded to your great note earlier!

The scene to which you refer was only an exchange between Ennis and Jack that adds to the issue Jack has about limited time, limited access, limted relationship.  You will recall that Jack drove up after a non-stop 14 hour drive from Texas only to be told by Ennis that he'd be spending the weekend with his daughter.  Wouldn't a cellphone call have been nice?...or frankly any type of phone call?  Then again, Ennis isn't too terribly sharp for thinking ahead.  Jack was incredibly patient and understanding.  I would have never done that.  I would have told him right there, "Look.  Next time you wanna get together, you jump in your truck and head my way.  There are two-way roads that lead to Texas.  Later."

I don't believe the truck in the backdrop was of any significance, just part of the scene.

The actor on the bench next to Jack...not sure of his name...will do some research and let you know...I'm not even sure that I've seen him in other things...will see what I can find.

I am with you.  I cannot get this movie out of my head either.  Hard to explain.  You should run to a bookstore and get the "Open Range" short stories by Annie Proulx.  The very last short story is Brokeback Mountain.  30 pages.  Quick read. 

stationbbm

To be fair to Ennis, in this scene Jack has driven all the way from Texas on a misunderstanding.  Ennis only told him about the divorce, he didn't actually invite him up.  Jack just made an assumption.  I agree that Ennis handled the situation poorly, but Jack also should have been clear about his intention.  Ennis obviously was surprised to see him.

camom

[stephan]

To be fair to Ennis, in this scene Jack has driven all the way from Texas on a misunderstanding.  Ennis only told him about the divorce, he didn't actually invite him up.  Jack just made an assumption.  I agree that Ennis handled the situation poorly, but Jack also should have been clear about his intention.  Ennis obviously was surprised to see him.
camom

I agree with you on this, camom. Ennis does say "What are you doing here?" or words like that when Jack arrives. He wasn't expecting a visit. And he does apologise three or four times for not being able to ask Jack to stay, as if he worried that Jack might think he didn't love him.
I have the idea that Ennis wanted Jack to be a secret from everybody. Only Alma and the girls know about his "fishing buddy." When Ennis goes to visit Jack's parents, I think he appears surprised when Mr Twist says that Jack used to talk about him.
Stephan

[rod1960]

They did have a phone, in the book Ennis calls Alma from the motel room.

[camom]

They did have a phone, in the book Ennis calls Alma from the motel room.

Yes, and then Ennis calls Jack to tell him about the divorce (in the movie it's a postcard).

camom

[Rod]

What the truck really showed, more than anything, was Ennis' homophobia. Ennis only feels comfortable with Jack out in the "middle of nowhere". A random truck drives by, Ennis keeps his eyes on it out of fear of being discovered, Jack follows Ennis' gaze, sees he's watching the truck out of fear, realizes Ennis is NOT ready to cohabitate and that he made a big mistake, and says "I understand".

This isn't homophobia to me, it is paranoia.  Ennis is so afraid people will find out or guess that he just can't have Jack around, unless it is way the hell out away from everyone.

[CherryCake]

What the truck really showed, more than anything, was Ennis' homophobia. Ennis only feels comfortable with Jack out in the "middle of nowhere". A random truck drives by, Ennis keeps his eyes on it out of fear of being discovered, Jack follows Ennis' gaze, sees he's watching the truck out of fear, realizes Ennis is NOT ready to cohabitate and that he made a big mistake, and says "I understand".

This isn't homophobia to me, it is paranoia.  Ennis is so afraid people will find out or guess that he just can't have Jack around, unless it is way the hell out away from everyone.

Ya... Ennis was paranoid... and after I thought I about it, the white truck was one of the most telling things about Ennis in the story... actually kind of made me sad... 
Here a truck was just casually and innocently passing by and Ennis was terrified by it.  By what people might think.

[BBBOY]

Ya... Ennis was paranoid... and after I thought I about it, the white truck was one of the most telling things about Ennis in the story... actually kind of mad me sad... 
Here a truck was just casually and innocently passing by and Ennis was terrified by it.  By what people might think.

It's Ennis's own latent homophopia. By now he knows what he feels for Jack and has to know that "it" ='s gay, whether he's attracted to other men or not. The white truck is a symbol of his father and the way he was raised I think.

Just my call, but what do I know.  :-\

[bnjmn3]

Ennis was terrified by the truck--central to his character, but he did seem proud or happy or comfortable introducing the girls to Jack.

[jimmypage]

What the truck really showed, more than anything, was Ennis' homophobia. Ennis only feels comfortable with Jack out in the "middle of nowhere". A random truck drives by, Ennis keeps his eyes on it out of fear of being discovered, Jack follows Ennis' gaze, sees he's watching the truck out of fear, realizes Ennis is NOT ready to cohabitate and that he made a big mistake, and says "I understand".

I saw the movie again 
and  I noticed  a black bird flying over the white truck ...
so I thought that that bird is Jack (and the truck is  Ennis and his fears).

[ragtimecowboy]

Ennis had just backed out of Jack's embrace and was probably feeling paranoid that someone had seen him hugging a man, the love of his life no less. Jack says "i understand." He probably was remembering his encounter with Joe in the trailer and the the comments made about Ennis and Jack "stemming the rose."

[christie wood]

That post-divorce scene is really moving, and just highlights the fear and repressed emotions Ennis has about his feelings for Jack.  On first showing, I didn't even get the significance of the white truck - in fact, I first thought it was Alma for some reason - but on second showing, I realised it was noone, but just the fact that someone, anyone could see him standing talking to Jack, would make them suspicious, in Ennis's mind.  Jack was totally oblivious, in his own world of thinking how life would be now that Ennis was divorced...only to be brought back down to earth with devastating effect.  Heath Ledger was heartbreaking here I feel, he could hardly look Jack in the eye, but when he did, he was trying to say so much in those few words ("I'm sorry Jack, you know I am").  Poor Ennis.....poor Jack...... :'( :'( :'( :'(

[aimi15]

I know, Ennis eyes flickering every which way and Jack, so disappointed but so desperately trying to hold it together. The way he stares at Ennis when Ennis is trying to explain and tries as nonchalantly as he can 'i'll see you next month then'. This has already been said on here i think but if Jack had just driven away resigned it probably wouldn't have hurt me so much, its the way we see him so full of excitement and smiles on the way there and so completely broken down driving away. :'( :'( :'( Such a heartbreaking scene  :'(

[christie wood]

Oh Aimi, don't get me started!  Heartbreaking stuff indeed....but what scene isn't in this film?  :'(

I tell you, you really have to read the screenplay to get the full appreciation of how desparately sad and heartbreaking this scene is.  The filmed scene is amazing, but written down, you really get the unspoken awkwardness from Ennis when he realises that Jack thinks his divorce means they'll be together, and then the disappointment from Jack on realising that this isn't the case at all.  The description of it just takes your breath away, really it does.

Poor Jack....one minute on top of the world....next minute crushed.   :'( :'( :'( :'(

[bbmlover]

even my heart crushed here for Jack...........
god i cry even now when i hear that song when Jack cries while driving back......"a love that will never grow old".. :'( :'( :'(
All this guy wanted was love from Ennis....... mann..... Ennis?!.

[Toadily]

I don't think any scene has ever shown crushing heart break better than that one.