Topic: What about Cassie Cartwright?

[chameau]

What about Cassie Cartwright?

This character played by Linda Cardellini is not seen that much but it's another fine piece of acting.  Linda did a great job and her last scene with Ennis was very interesting and moving.  She was obviously in love with Ennis. What do you think?

[dirtbiker]

So glad you started this thread.  I considered her to be the female equivalent of Jack.  She obviously felt a connection with him that she didn't feel for the "Carl" character she was with in the last scene with Ennis - when Ennis said he wasn't any fun anyway, she replied "girls don't fall in love with fun."  That was so touching.

[*Froggy*]

What about Cassie Cartwright?

This character played by Linda Cardellini is not seen that much but it's another fine piece of acting.  Linda did a great job and her last scene with Ennis was very interesting and moving.  She was obviously in love with Ennis. What do you think?

She is a great cameleon...and a good actress too...

"Legally Blonde"
"ER"
"Scooby Doo"...not the best movie ever...but she pulled it off!
"BBM"

[natalia]

What about Cassie Cartwright?

This character played by Linda Cardellini is not seen that much but it's another fine piece of acting.  Linda did a great job and her last scene with Ennis was very interesting and moving.  She was obviously in love with Ennis. What do you think?

She is a great cameleon...and a good actress too...

"Legally Blonde"
"ER"
"Scooby Doo"...not the best movie ever...but she pulled it off!
"BBM"

Who was she in Legally Blonde?

[chameau]

I considered her to be the female equivalent of Jack. 

This is brilliant!  :o

[*Froggy*]

Who was she in Legally Blonde?

She played Chutney Windham

[natalia]

Who was she in Legally Blonde?

She played Chutney Windham

Woah she totally did!
Thanks 

[borger1582]

What was Cassie's purpose in the film version?  I still haven't figured out what she tells us about Ennis.  Some folks on the IMDB board believe it shows that Ennis knows Jack is the love of his life, and he's not willing to go on hurting anyone else who may want to be with him when he doesn't want to be with them.  Others believe she's just a mask so the repressed gay Ennis can feel comfortable in heterosexual society.  In the story at least, I took it as some evidence that Ennis might NOT be gay - perhaps what one witty poster called "Jacksexual."

In the story, it seems that the character (unnamed, by the way) was just sexual release for Ennis - or a fib Ennis tells Jack as part of the entire "I'm not no queer" dynamic between them (I don't buy that one so much - not after 20 years AND Ennis, unlike Jack, is generally seen to be the more *truthful* of the two).

Anyway, I digress.  My question is, story-wise or symbol-wise, what does Cassie do for the film's story?

[dirtbiker]

What was Cassie's purpose in the film version?  I still haven't figured out what she tells us about Ennis.  Some folks on the IMDB board believe it shows that Ennis knows Jack is the love of his life, and he's not willing to go on hurting anyone else who may want to be with him when he doesn't want to be with them.  Others believe she's just a mask so the repressed gay Ennis can feel comfortable in heterosexual society.  In the story at least, I took it as some evidence that Ennis might NOT be gay - perhaps what one witty poster called "Jacksexual."

In the story, it seems that the character (unnamed, by the way) was just sexual release for Ennis - or a fib Ennis tells Jack as part of the entire "I'm not no queer" dynamic between them (I don't buy that one so much - not after 20 years AND Ennis, unlike Jack, is generally seen to be the more *truthful* of the two).

Anyway, I digress.  My question is, story-wise or symbol-wise, what does Cassie do for the film's story?

Well, my take on it, as I alluded to earlier, is that I believe she had some qualities of Jack - pursuing him early on - when he was leaving, she introduced himself and made him dance with her; then there's the scene with Alma Jr. showing that she was very interested in pursuing more of a permanent relationship with him, telling him her aspirations about going to nursing school etc., then the last scene where she breaks down (just like Jack confronting Ennis about their relationship) and says girls don't fall in love with fun.  I got a bit choked up at that scene.  She knew at that point that there was "no understanding him," and no prospect with him.

[jimnick]

Ennis is in love with Jack and wouldn't have given Cassie the time of day if she hadn't thrown herself at him.  I feel sorry for her but anyone could tell that that one wasn't going anywhere.  She was too easy and Ennis doesn't go for easy; likes it rough and tumble, a little spit and blood, whiskey and mud get his juices going.  Bust his nose and he'll follow you like a puppy... if you're Jack Twist.  If not, forget it Sister.

Jim

[bnjmn3]

Cassie shows us that Ennis is content being alone in life. She instigates every interaction they have and she is a straight cover for him as well. She is also the one who lets Alma Jr show us she has her dad's stoic quality ("Well, you don't say much" when she asks Alma if her father will get married again.). Cassie is in the film at the same time Jack has the new ranch hand buddy in Texas...parallel stories of how Ennis and Jack live apart coping without each other. The larger question of the men being homosexual or not is a great topic for thought. The artistry of the film focuses on the spiritual connection between two people who happen to be of the same gender...maybe we are way beyond orientation labels here. I really don't know.

[chameau]

Thanks for sharing, very interesting post. 

[Wxaupe]

What is your take on how long Cassie knew Ennis before she decided she wanted him to marry her? It seemed like a rushed decision , she was a girl in a big hurry, as when she picked him up. Obviously she didn't know Ennis very well, the attraction seemed sexual and superficial. Even if Ennis wasn't in a state of numbness because of his situation and love for Jack, would this marriage have had much chance of success if he had married Cassie? Or did I miss timeline clues here as to the length and depth of the relationship? Cassie just seemed a little on the "lite" side to me, but in a big hurry to get married, if not to Ennis, then perhaps to Carl, the next guy to come along. Or did I get this wrong?

[chameau]

What is your take on how long Cassie knew Ennis before she decided she wanted him to marry her? It seemed like a rushed decision , she was a girl in a big hurry, as when she picked him up. Obviously she didn't know Ennis very well, the attraction seemed sexual and superficial. Even if Ennis wasn't in a state of numbness because of his situation and love for Jack, would this marriage have had much chance of success if he had married Cassie? Or did I miss timeline clues here as to the length and depth of the relationship? Cassie just seemed a little on the "lite" side to me, but in a big hurry to get married, if not to Ennis, then perhaps to Carl, the next guy to come along. Or did I get this wrong?

I must see BBM again to recall her exact words.  At the end of their last scene, she made a very clear statement:  She fell in love with Ennis.

[bnjmn3]

Anyway, I digress.  My question is, story-wise or symbol-wise, what does Cassie do for the film's story?

Cassie (I think her character is in the film going on 5 years) is similar to Jack as mentioned above..she brings Ennis out of himself (she is always instigating--foot rub, you're staying up cowboy, all the notes she left) and she loves him. Her character also counterbalances the character of the Ranch Foreman that Jack has the affair with. I think Cassie's main purpose is that she confirms to Ennis (the island) that he cannot accept or know how to accept love other than Jack's...he actually apologizes to her over the Apple Pie---maybe he is apologizing to Jack here...does he apologize to anyone else prior to this point in the story? McMurtry and Ossana were smart to add her...I think..

[Toadily]

Shamus said in the Logo show that she sort of represents Ennis trying to make things work, meaning a conventional life, after really just messing things up with Alma and all that etc.  She is sort of his last try, and it doesn't work *obviously*.

[scruffy]

I agree with the previous posts that Cassie was a way to show that Ennis was still trying, in a way, to follow society's rules and maintain a straight relationship.  I disagree that he was content being alone.  Notice that it was Alma that refused sex and Alma that most likely initiated the divorce.  She hooks up with the store clerk soon after.  It always appears to be the women in Ennis' life that hold the reins of the relationship, so to speak.  That is until the argument on the mountain with Jack.  It's at that time Ennis seems to see that Jack is truly the only one for him.  It's then that the thought of another man in Jack's life is too much.  We don't see Cassie after that until she sees Ennis eating pie.  It is then we learn that Ennis has not returned any communication with Cassie for some time.  On a side note, it can be insinuated that for the first time Ennis initiated a meeting with Jack -- a postcard/letter marked "DECEASED" is returned to sender, not the other way around.  This makes it all the more sad for me.

It's clear that Cassie fell in love with Ennis but when she sees him in the diner eating pie it's obvious that she's looking at a man who has had a hard time of it.  It's all he can muster to say "I'm sorry."  When Cassie is crying I am not sure if she's crying for herself or for Ennis.  She's obviously hurt but Ennis' tortured soul is starting to wear through to the outside and even if Cassie doesn't know what is at the root of it all she clearly sees something in his appearance.  "I don't get you, Ennis Del Mar."  That scene is very powerful to me because it really shows how Ennis is falling deeper and deeper into stoic lonliness.

[lacy8753]

Ennis is in love with Jack and wouldn't have given Cassie the time of day if she hadn't thrown herself at him.  I feel sorry for her but anyone could tell that that one wasn't going anywhere. 


I agree. At some point Ennis tells Jack that she had problems but thats not reall the point. I dont think he'd ever be disloyal to his one true love, especially with a woman. I think he'd outgrown women. Lacy

[DrKeith]

To me, it seems pretty obvious. The viewers are being offered the idea that Ennis truly was a gay man, and in love with Jack for life. Here a gorgeous, sexy, fun girl, in short, a straight man's ultimate fantasy, presents herself to Ennis on a silver platter, yet, despite her willingness and her candour at making the first move (meaning there is little more for Ennis to do other than accept), he STILL cannot commit himself to a woman.

Maybe he realizes on some subconscious level (I tend to believe all of Ennis's realizations are subconscious!) that he simply cannot enter another heterosexual behaviour and hurt himself and the woman in the way he hurt his own marriage.

In my opinion, we are being told that while Ennis has the ability for women to fall in love with him, he simply is incapable of loving a woman truly and completely, because of his own sexuality and because of Jack Twist.

[tpe]

To me, it seems pretty obvious. The viewers are being offered the idea that Ennis truly was a gay man, and in love with Jack for life. Here a gorgeous, sexy, fun girl, in short, a straight man's ultimate fantasy, presents herself to Ennis on a silver platter, yet, despite her willingness and her candour at making the first move (meaning there is little more for Ennis to do other than accept), he STILL cannot commit himself to a woman.

Maybe he realizes on some subconscious level (I tend to believe all of Ennis's realizations are subconscious!) that he simply cannot enter another heterosexual behaviour and hurt himself and the woman in the way he hurt his own marriage.

In my opinion, we are being told that while Ennis has the ability for women to fall in love with him, he simply is incapable of loving a woman truly and completely, because of his own sexuality and because of Jack Twist.

Welcome DrKeith.

I think Ennis loved Alma in a special way (at least in the beginning, before trust was betrayed.)  But he was not complete with her.  Too many unfulfilled desires and longings.  He needed Jack.  Jack was the only one.

I think he pitied Cassie in a way.  He did not hate her.  But I think he did not love her.  Most of all, he was in fear that he was going to hurt another person by allowing them to be emotionally attached to him.  It was partly to protect her that he tried to keep his distance.

Ennis knew it could ONLY be Jack.  Ennis knew it could NEVER be Jack.  There lies the tragedy of it all.

[siredevienne38]

I think, Cassie should symbolize "normal" everyday life. She is pretty but not a beauty, she is nice but not fulfilling....
 To reject her means to be definitely an outsider living in your own world - where there is only Jack and nobody else in Ennis' heart
In the final dialogue with Cassie he definitely knows that every single world will hurt her - he wants to get rid of her, to meet her regulalry before was his last attempt to lead a normal life. As soon as he knew that it won't work he terminates the relationship

[Toadily]

Yes, I think he tried to make it work with Cassie, but it didn't, just like the rancher never "came to pass" for Jack.

[matsuki33]

 :-\

[n061857]

I considered her to be the female equivalent of Jack. 

This is brilliant!  :o

I agree.  She was gregarious and uninhibited, like Jack.  I like to watch Ennis's amusement at Jack's freedom.  I see this when he is with Cassie.  It is almost like he can live vacariously through the observation of others who really live their lives. He has a little smile when she drags him off to the dance floor and when she throws her feet up on his lap.  Notice also when he is at the bar with Cassie, he says something like, "I hope I don't have to dance anymore."  He doesn't say he will not dance anymore, almost like he loses his own will and inhibition when in the company of this type of person. 

I kind of hope that he rekindles at least a friendship with Cassie after Jack's death, because she like Jack is a breath of fresh air to Ennis.                                         - Nancy

[Toadily]

Yeah I like Cassie.  Ennis does too, but just can't give her what she needs. 

[coguaro]

Thinking about Cassie I feel some pain  :-
She seems so sure in her approach to Ennis but she didn't know that his heart will never be her...
She appears also so genuine when she speaks to Alma Jr...

Cassie is another Ennis victim...

[*Froggy*]

Ennis was one hell of a heartbreaker!!!

[filazahies]

What man wouldn't surrender to an attractive woman who's constantly around him and showing him she's willing to start a relationship?
 A man who's already in love. And that's Ennis' case, he's in love with Jack. And, as someone said on a previous post, he realised about that during his last meeting with Jack in the mountain, when they had the big argument. He couldn't stand the thought of Jack being, not with another woman, but with another man.
And I also agree that he didn't want to hurt her and that's why he tried to avoid contact with her.

[jackie62]

What i love about this forum is the opening of my eyes to aspects of the story i'd not even realised i was unsure about or hadn't worked tru.

thank you.

For me Cassie represents aspects of Jack , even to the extent one of the first things Ennis says to her is " WHAT YOU DOING"---  echoes of 1st tent scene.

 But also she makes it clear that even if a warm ,loving, fun person wanted to take Ennis and all his flaws , he can't give what she needs . It says again how caught they both are --- Ennis would have a half life with Cassie ,as Jack would with Randall. I understand why he would want to be with her ---especially the loneliness.

But i also think Cassie recognises something in Ennis that suggests he could be capable of great love --- i think thats what i "fell in love" with on the screen. One purpose she served for me was to identify how, as a woman, you could fall in love with Ennis.

I agree with so many that Ennis realises how unfair  it is being with her at the "breakdown scene." So he disappears. I think he knows that by leaving Cassie he is actively chosing Jack in a more explicit way than he usually lets himself realise.



As the sceen play says --- when she leaves him in the diner --- She knows she's not the answer.

[bnjmn3]

I like when she enters the diner, she recognizes Ennis by his cough. When she leaves, she pushes Carl off of her at the door.