Topic: "I might be back" - Ennis & Jack parting

[Sunflower79]

I think there's a general feeling that both Ennis and Jack were very good at reading each others faces and eyes - knowing how the other was feeling with a word being spoken. I think Ennis knows Jack feels the same way he does when they part the first time - but his upbringing and childhood experiences don't allow him to do anything then, or indeed later. In a similar way, I think Jack reads between the lines when Ennis tells him it ain't gonna be that way - and that's the reason he gently strokes Ennis's face at the end of that scene, because he knows how Ennis really feels.

very nicely stated..I do agree that they could read each other faces and eyes..their facial expressions said what they couldn't say in words..I do agree that Ennis childhood fears would prevent him from saying what he truly feels. Jack being able to understand and know that Ennis does really care about him

[stacp]

I think Jack desperately wants to believe that he will see Ennis again.  But, Ennis leaves with that flippant "see you around."  The way Jack looks in his side mirror at Ennis breaks my heart.  You can see the hurt, longing and disappointment in Jack's face.  Little does Jack know Ennis breaks down in that alley,his own heart breaking from not being able to be with Jack.  If only Jack could have seen that . . .  :'(

[jimnick]

I think Jack desperately wants to believe that he will see Ennis again.  But, Ennis leaves with that flippant "see you around."  The way Jack looks in his side mirror at Ennis breaks my heart.  You can see the hurt, longing and disappointment in Jack's face.  Little does Jack know Ennis breaks down in that alley,his own heart breaking from not being able to be with Jack.  If only Jack could have seen that . . .  :'(

...and if only Ennis could have seen it coming...

 :\'( :\'( :\'(

Jim

[welshwitch]

Being devil's advocate here, but - if things aren't said, then at least the door is left open. Ennis doesn't say, "Well, that's it," or the equivalent. He doesn't have the words to say, or even the ability to analyze internally, what he's feeling, even if he could bring himself to, and I don't know at this point whether Jack does either. In a sense they're both surprised by love, like people swept under by an enormous wave. Remember Bassanio in "Merchant of Venice"? When Portian says she is his he replies,
                                                    Madam, you have bereft me of all words;
                                                    Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,
and I think this often happens betweeen the two of them.                                                                             

[shieldmaid]

Being devil's advocate here, but - if things aren't said, then at least the door is left open. Ennis doesn't say, "Well, that's it," or the equivalent. He doesn't have the words to say, or even the ability to analyze internally, what he's feeling, even if he could bring himself to, and I don't know at this point whether Jack does either. In a sense they're both surprised by love, like people swept under by an enormous wave. Remember Bassanio in "Merchant of Venice"? When Portian says she is his he replies,
                                                    Madam, you have bereft me of all words;
                                                    Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,
and I think this often happens betweeen the two of them.                                                                             

That's a gorgeous way of putting it.  If we take this scene in relation to earlier scenes, too, Jack obviously knows that Ennis is distraught as well--he sits alone on the mountain just before they come back down, and of course after they punch each other he can see how upset Ennis truly is.

[filazahies]

   "I might be back"

From the very first time I saw BBM I simply loved that moment, the way Jack says that, the way he looks at Ennis, it's like he's throwing the last signal to make Ennis react and say what he really wants to hear: "I'll be back too".
But no... :\'( :\'( :\'( :\'( :\'(

[christie wood]

Being devil's advocate here, but - if things aren't said, then at least the door is left open. Ennis doesn't say, "Well, that's it," or the equivalent. He doesn't have the words to say, or even the ability to analyze internally, what he's feeling, even if he could bring himself to, and I don't know at this point whether Jack does either. In a sense they're both surprised by love, like people swept under by an enormous wave. Remember Bassanio in "Merchant of Venice"? When Portian says she is his he replies,
                                                    Madam, you have bereft me of all words;
                                                    Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,
and I think this often happens betweeen the two of them.                                                                             

No, Ennis doesnt say "thats it" but to me, the fact that he says "me and Alma'll be getting married in November" when earlier in the film he'd given Jack a hint that they could be together again the following summer (during the sheep mix up, when Ennis says to Jack "what if we need to work for him again?), that to me is Ennis shutting down, emotionally.  He's had to deal with the trauma of leaving the mountain earlier than he'd wanted, he's just fought with Jack, he's obviously shutting down because he cannot handle the feelings that are stirring inside him.  He doesnt have the words, the expressions, the ability to tell Jack how he feels, and he feels its wrong anyway, so he goes into reality mode, and thats the only thing Ennis can handle. 

Of course, we know how Ennis feels, what he really wants to say to Jack, but Jack is still left heartbroken and has to leave without anything to hold on to.  When Ennis says "see you around", and Jack puts his head down, it breaks my heart.  Because not only is Jack devastated, he's probably feeling a little humiiated too, because its almost as though Ennis is denying anything happened between them with this rejection.

[christie wood]

I remember hearing Jake say that and wondering what he meant. Does he mean the things they don't say that they should have said - like "I want to be with you" or "I love you"? Or does he mean the things that they don't say with words but instead with looks and expressions?

Yes I saw that interview and I took it that Jake was referring to both meanings.  Jay Leno had just shown a clip from the film, and Leno had commented on the scene (it was the some sweet life scene) and said something about there being lots of undercurrents of what was going on between Ennis and Jack, and thats when Jake said that line quoted earlier.  So I actually think he meant it in both ways, and they are both as important as the other. 

[NoReins]

I remember hearing Jake say that and wondering what he meant. Does he mean the things they don't say that they should have said - like "I want to be with you" or "I love you"? Or does he mean the things that they don't say with words but instead with looks and expressions?

Yes I saw that interview and I took it that Jake was referring to both meanings.  Jay Leno had just shown a clip from the film, and Leno had commented on the scene (it was the some sweet life scene) and said something about there being lots of undercurrents of what was going on between Ennis and Jack, and thats when Jake said that line quoted earlier.  So I actually think he meant it in both ways, and they are both as important as the other. 

Yeah, I think you could be right. Thing is, for me the looks and expressions say pretty much all of the things that they didn't say in words including "I love you" - especially in the motel and the "just like this always" scenes.

[LuvJackNasty]

Being devil's advocate here, but - if things aren't said, then at least the door is left open. Ennis doesn't say, "Well, that's it," or the equivalent. He doesn't have the words to say, or even the ability to analyze internally, what he's feeling, even if he could bring himself to, and I don't know at this point whether Jack does either. In a sense they're both surprised by love, like people swept under by an enormous wave. Remember Bassanio in "Merchant of Venice"? When Portian says she is his he replies,
                                                    Madam, you have bereft me of all words;
                                                    Only my blood speaks to you in my veins,
and I think this often happens betweeen the two of them.                                                                             

No, Ennis doesnt say "thats it" but to me, the fact that he says "me and Alma'll be getting married in November" when earlier in the film he'd given Jack a hint that they could be together again the following summer (during the sheep mix up, when Ennis says to Jack "what if we need to work for him again?), that to me is Ennis shutting down, emotionally.  He's had to deal with the trauma of leaving the mountain earlier than he'd wanted, he's just fought with Jack, he's obviously shutting down because he cannot handle the feelings that are stirring inside him.  He doesnt have the words, the expressions, the ability to tell Jack how he feels, and he feels its wrong anyway, so he goes into reality mode, and thats the only thing Ennis can handle. 

Of course, we know how Ennis feels, what he really wants to say to Jack, but Jack is still left heartbroken and has to leave without anything to hold on to.  When Ennis says "see you around", and Jack puts his head down, it breaks my heart.  Because not only is Jack devastated, he's probably feeling a little humiiated too, because its almost as though Ennis is denying anything happened between them with this rejection.

Well put.  :\'(

[FlwrChild]

All very well put! Oh the look on Jack's face when he says that...

They did really manage to physically inhabit their characters, didn't they? Heath disappears into Ennis and Jake does things with his face and voice that make him indistinguishable from Jack.

[christie wood]

All very well put! Oh the look on Jack's face when he says that...

They did really manage to physically inhabit their characters, didn't they? Heath disappears into Ennis and Jake does things with his face and voice that make him indistinguishable from Jack.

I know....its the way he puts his head down for a second, after Ennis says "see you around" that gets me every time.  And then Ennis just stands there, not wanting to go, but knowing he should go, and its heartbreaking to see him so confused and hesitant.  I think they both did a truly breathtaking job of conveying so much in this scene, with very few words. 

[welshwitch]

I like the "might be back" subjunctive - he knows very well he will be but doesn't wnat to give too much away. And I like the way Ennis just stands there, desperately trying to think how to behave in a situation he has no precedent for - and Ennis finds it hard enough to fit in with conventional interactions - look at the way he sidles over towards the wall in Aguirre's office.

[tpe]

I think they both did a truly breathtaking job of conveying so much in this scene, with very few words. 

Indeed, very beautifully done.  When one tries to look away; when the other swallows his disappointment.  When one tries to be stoic; when the other tries to hold on.  When one says 'I guess I'll see you arround'; when the other responds 'OK'.  Indeed, very beautifully done.

[FlwrChild]

I think they both did a truly breathtaking job of conveying so much in this scene, with very few words. 

Indeed, very beautifully done.  When one tries to look away; when the other swallows his disappointment.  When one tries to be stoic; when the other tries to hold on.  When one says 'I guess I'll see you arround'; when the other responds 'OK'.  Indeed, very beautifully done.

Oh tpe, sometimes reading you is like listening to music. 

[tpe]

Thank you FlwrChild.

BBM is music to us here.




 

[hpv]

I think Jack desperately wants to believe that he will see Ennis again.  But, Ennis leaves with that flippant "see you around."  The way Jack looks in his side mirror at Ennis breaks my heart.  You can see the hurt, longing and disappointment in Jack's face.  Little does Jack know Ennis breaks down in that alley,his own heart breaking from not being able to be with Jack.  If only Jack could have seen that . . .  :'(

I must point out,that in the opening scene Jack also glances at Ennis on his side mirror,trying to catch his eye ..maybe?
It's ,parallels IMO, to the second scene,when he drives away.

[tpe]

I think Jack desperately wants to believe that he will see Ennis again.  But, Ennis leaves with that flippant "see you around."  The way Jack looks in his side mirror at Ennis breaks my heart.  You can see the hurt, longing and disappointment in Jack's face.  Little does Jack know Ennis breaks down in that alley,his own heart breaking from not being able to be with Jack.  If only Jack could have seen that . . .  :'(

I must point out,that in the opening scene Jack also glances at Ennis on his side mirror,trying to catch his eye ..maybe?
It's ,parallels IMO, to the second scene,when he drives away.

Yes, I think there was an old post that expressed the same opinion: bookends at the start and end of their stay in BBM.  It is most likely intentional. And the use of the mirror -- so symbolic and meaningful -- is very beautifully done.

[TheBoyFromNoWhere]

the story would be different if...
- ennis hasn't commited to marry alma
- ennis has no fear of dying or his male lover dying from being beaten like the old man
- ennis doesn't try to get back on the normal-life track
- ennis just say i'll be back in the next summer
- ennis lives in this time

ennis would say i'll be back for sure. 

[carlton5]

That I might be back scene is wonderful- and how Jack/Jake said it and that look of hope ,anticipation,and intonation in his voice was so touching- To me it meant that Jack didnt want to lose what started on Brokeback and was just hoping/pleading for Ennis to come back the next year in a non= threatening, non chalant way - The dry heaves that Ennis had in the alley were the physical way his emotions answered that question/statement-Knowing in his heart that he would probably never see the love of his life again. I am sure as Jack drove away he probably had the same dry heaves-Isnt that why they call it "love sickness"? How many of us have dry heaved over someone -that would make an interesting new thread -

[tpe]

TheBoyFromNoWhere and carlton5, thank for the insights.  Everything seemed to have conspired against them -- it is most evident in this particular scene when it is plain what both of them feel, and yet...and yet...  Fate.

And I do love the intonation of Jack's voice here.  It is indeed so touching.  He is trying to bridge the widening gap as they prepare to leave.  It is like Jack throwing himself into the emotional divide, all for love.

[welshwitch]

Tragedy is the interweaving of character and fate, or luck, or kismet - that's why this is an authentic tragedy. There are so many points at which it would take only one little action or event or word to change the whole course of events - this is one of those moments - but it never happens, and the juggernaut rolls on unimpeded.

[aintfoolin]

Ang L uses this alot in this fine film. Implied words told through expressions and gestures. ie: SNIT where there are no words spoken at all but ew all get it . It's also used in this scene. When Ennis says " I guess I'll see ya around then" I wanted to sream at the screen. How can you possibly walk away from these deeply affecting experiences with this guy? And poor Jack has to lower his head to hide his tears. Saying that he'd be back was clue....Ennis...Hello!?I suppose at the time Ennis felt he had to go marry Alma , but he could have saved everyone alot of pain by just being true to his feelings towards Jack. but then that would'nt be Ennis right? And I aint foolin.

[welshwitch]

It's typical of Jack that he wants to leave things open - "I might be back" means "I will be back if you're going to be there".

But Ennis closes things down - he's said he's getting married and will look for work on a ranch, so "See you around" is a meaningless addition. It's almost as if he's trying to tell Jack the summer and their relationship are over and hoping Jack will accept that and disappear. Then a few minutes later, but too late, he realises there's something wrong, but  ( so he says  in the motel scene) it takes him a year to work out what.

Ennis loves saying no; Jack looks for possibilities, alternatives, ways round things.

[NoReins]

It's typical of Jack that he wants to leave things open - "I might be back" means "I will be back if you're going to be there".

But Ennis closes things down - he's said he's getting married and will look for work on a ranch, so "See you around" is a meaningless addition. It's almost as if he's trying to tell Jack the summer and their relationship are over and hoping Jack will accept that and disappear. Then a few minutes later, but too late, he realises there's something wrong, but  ( so he says  in the motel scene) it takes him a year to work out what.

Ennis loves saying no; Jack looks for possibilities, alternatives, ways round things.

I'm not sure that's the case, actually. I think Ennis actually hopes he'll see Jack again because apart from everything else that's happened between them during the summer, Jack has become the best (only?) friend Ennis has ever had. He doesn't want to lose that, even if he's convinced that he has to lose the other side of their relationship.

[christie wood]

It's typical of Jack that he wants to leave things open - "I might be back" means "I will be back if you're going to be there".

But Ennis closes things down - he's said he's getting married and will look for work on a ranch, so "See you around" is a meaningless addition. It's almost as if he's trying to tell Jack the summer and their relationship are over and hoping Jack will accept that and disappear. Then a few minutes later, but too late, he realises there's something wrong, but  ( so he says  in the motel scene) it takes him a year to work out what.

Ennis loves saying no; Jack looks for possibilities, alternatives, ways round things.

I'm not sure that's the case, actually. I think Ennis actually hopes he'll see Jack again because apart from everything else that's happened between them during the summer, Jack has become the best (only?) friend Ennis has ever had. He doesn't want to lose that, even if he's convinced that he has to lose the other side of their relationship.

I understand what you are saying Lindsey.  Ennis hopes to see Jack again, no doubt about that in his heart, but his head is telling him that the summer is over and he's going back to marry Alma, back to reality.  Jack is part of the magic of Brokeback, and I think he just decides to separate the two, because otherwise he would have to deal with his feelings for Jack on a deeper level, something Ennis found hard to do on Brokeback, and so would find nigh on impossible to do in reality.  Saying "see you around" doesnt mean much, and Jack knows that.  What Ennis is really saying is "I dont know what else to do"........and I think Jack knows that too.   

[TheBoyFromNoWhere]

umn... could be both ways.

but for me, i think if i were ennis, i would say something like what ennis said.  that is because i might feel that what i did on BbM was not right.  i shouldn't do that.  and i would try to get my normal life back by doing my promise by getting married and tried to forget everything i felt guilty about.  it was such a confusing feeling.  that could made me collapsed and punched the wall too.  time would cure my feeling until jack was back to my life.  the reunion was the real turning point after 'i might be back' in my opinion.

[aintfoolin]

Ennis's " deep" experiences with Jack on Brokeback affected Ennis like nothing ever did before. IMO there's no way he could just forget them or sweep them under the rug.He fell in love with Jack. deeply in love.But he just did'nt quite understand the feelings at the time. When he collapsed in the alley He was so frustrated by this . All he knew was that he'd hurt Jack and he was driving away from him with nothing but a " see ya around" to remember the whole thing by. I think he wishes he could have said more but just did'nt know how. The feeling I get is that Ennis uses marrying Alma as a crutch and wall to hide behind still after SNIT. But it did take a year according to the story to realize that this was'nt just an after thought Jack's sad face probably haunted Ennis for a long time.

[welshwitch]

I agree with CW and TBFN - Ennis is almost wishing that the whole thing would go away - it's too difficult to deal with back down away from Brokeback, a place he manages to return with Jack but away from which he only once allows the relationship to exist. Brokeback and Jack are part of one thing for him, one experience, one relationship, but one that doesn't translate into his normal world.

[aintfoolin]

I'm sure he did wish it would go away but I feel that he knows it won't.( punching the wall in frusration) But deep inside he knows that what he feels is real.  Those feelings were pushed aside for four years in an ttempt to live " normal" life with Alma. He buried them, which is not hard for Ennis to do.  Picture the scene. Ennis comes home from work. a day just like any other day until Alma mentions the postcard from Jack . All of a sudden his world changes . There is excitement, anticipation and wanting. Just like on Brokeback. All those same feelings, long buried come back full to the surface again. And oh my , does he act on them.