Topic: Quotes

[Rickfreitas]

I love that scene where Jack whispers in Ennis's ear: "Ol'Brokeback got us good...". Just love that scene...

[scruffy]

I think I caught something during Ennis' breakdown that hasn't been mentioned yet.  After he crumples to the ground stating that he's "nothing, nowhere..." you can just barely hear him mumble "I can't stand it"  It refers to what he said earlier: "if you can't fix it, you gotta stand it"  Now, if I heard right that blows the scene into a whole new level.  It is an admission on Ennis' part that their "situation" wasn't nearly enough for him either.  If anyone goes back to the theatre to see it please see if you can confirm if what I heard was right.

Another qote is perhaps the three strongest words in film history. "Jack, I swear."

A lot of people have been adding to the line such as ..I swear if I had to do it all over again I would  etc.   But I don't think we have to add words.  Here's why...

To swear to someone is the highest form of verbal contract one human can pledge to another.  That is why swearing in oaths are saved for only the most important ceremonies in society.  It is an oath of allegence and loyalty.  It is an offer of mind, body and soul to another.  Knights swore an oath to Kings.  People swear allegence to God and country.  It is without a doubt the highest honour one person can give and it is perhaps the first time Ennis, who is said not the swearing kind, meant it.

I've been a tortured Brokeback Mountain zombie for a week now.  It's really embarassing sobbing in public every time I see a pickup truck or a cowboy hat.

[ethan]

Another qote is perhaps the three strongest words in film history. "Jack, I swear."

A lot of people have been adding to the line such as ..I swear if I had to do it all over again I would  etc.   But I don't think we have to add words.  Here's why...

To swear to someone is the highest form of verbal contract one human can pledge to another.  That is why swearing in oaths are saved for only the most important ceremonies in society.  It is an oath of allegence and loyalty.  It is an offer of mind, body and soul to another.  Knights swore an oath to Kings.  People swear allegence to God and country.  It is without a doubt the highest honour one person can give and it is perhaps the first time Ennis, who is said not the swearing kind, meant it.

I've been a tortured Brokeback Mountain zombie for a week now.  It's really embarassing sobbing in public every time I see a pickup truck or a cowboy hat.

Great post, scruffy and welcome. You are right about no need to add words. "I swear..." is powerful enough to conclue the love between Ennis and Jack at least from Ennis's part. I think most people would agree that adding words is to seek the meaning for interpretations.

Cowboy hat would do for me - I guess I am lucky that pickup truck is not doing anything to. Welcome to the world of PBS.  HERE is a topic just for that. Again, welcome. 

[chameau]

I've been a tortured Brokeback Mountain zombie for a week now.  It's really embarassing sobbing in public every time I see a pickup truck or a cowboy hat.

Don't even need that anymore... just thinking of some scenes or ''playing'' the music in my head starts me over.  Even happened on the bus on my way to work this morning.  Very watery eyes!  :-\

Duh! 

Thanks for your great posting scruffy

[*Froggy*]

Two more for me!

I love that scene where Jack whispers in Ennis's ear: "Ol'Brokeback got us good...". Just love that scene...

"See ya at supper?"

I don't remember if that is exactly right, having only seen the movie twice, it was the only thing Jack could say to Ennis before he rode off the morning after"The Grand Opening". It was the first tug at my heart, followed by many more.

[rabjr1]

Another qote is perhaps the three strongest words in film history. "Jack, I swear."

A lot of people have been adding to the line such as ..I swear if I had to do it all over again I would  etc.   But I don't think we have to add words.  Here's why...

To swear to someone is the highest form of verbal contract one human can pledge to another.  That is why swearing in oaths are saved for only the most important ceremonies in society.  It is an oath of allegence and loyalty.  It is an offer of mind, body and soul to another.  Knights swore an oath to Kings.  People swear allegence to God and country.  It is without a doubt the highest honour one person can give and it is perhaps the first time Ennis, who is said not the swearing kind, meant it.

I've been a tortured Brokeback Mountain zombie for a week now.  It's really embarassing sobbing in public every time I see a pickup truck or a cowboy hat.

Wow!  That is excellent observation.

[francis.shim]

Gawd!!!... I love this forum....

There are just so many good quotes and scenes that just tore at my heart and sent me ashiverin'!!!

I wanted to add something else to scruffy's great observation of Ennis' last line:

    "Jack, I swear..."

You know in the movie and the short story it was left hanging, because we know what the feeling Ennis must have, but it won't be released... so we won't be released either.

... BUT.... take a look at what *scruffy* did, and I thought, whoa... that's brilliant!!

    "Jack, I swear."

There is no hanging ellipsis... Scruffy suggests that it is a pledge of sort to another person... and I thought that was so cool, because it adds another depth to his love for Jack *sob*
We can put back the ellipsis, but now it put things in a whole new light... so I thought I would post my thinking about the immediate scene right at that last line (thanks scruffy!!):

    --------------------------------------------------------------
As Ennis opened the little closet in his trailer, he gently, but firmly,
straightened the shirts on the makeshift hook: a single finishing nail
driven in just enough to hold.  He had thought he had had a shirt
missing for the darndest time.  Then just after Jack's death, he found
it while visiting Jack's parents.  The shirts were up in Jack's room in
that hide-away little corner of the closet.  There neatly pressed and
hanging on a single hanger was Jack's blue shirt, still bloodied from
the Brokeback days and Ennis' missing black and white plaid shirt, like
a second skin, tucked inside.  Nothing could prepare Ennis for that
flood of memories as he held those shirts, smelled it and then silently
collapsed to his knees.

With the shirts in his trailer, Ennis has since then placed his white
and black plaid shirt over Jack's, like the wings of a protecting angel
around a precious soul.

This arrangement did right by Ennis as his eyes ran across the shirts to
the hanger to the finishing nail... and then to the picture of Brokeback
Mountain.  He took it all in, his eyes filling to the brim.

    "Jack, I swear..."

Ennis had a whole MOUNTAIN of things to say, but what he said was
enough, because it was his turn to take care of Jack... that
sweet-stinkin' guy Jack... the only thing he had now is this private bible,
a testament to his loving truth of Jack.
    -----------------------------

What do y'all think?

Peace,
Frank

[jimnick]

"Sure enough," said Alma in a low voice. She had seen what she had seen. Behind her in the room lightning lit the window like a white sheet waving and the baby cried.

From the book.

jim

[Toadily]

I just watched an interview Ang Lee gave awhile back and in it he says one line that got to him is when Jack says at their last argument "All we got is Brokeback Mountain" and he said it was like it was also about the illusion of love, and remember Proulx says the shirts at the end were all that were left of "the imagined power" of Brokeback.  I'ts sad to think that but it's there too.  As Woody Allen said "a relationship is like a shark, it has to be constantly moving or it dies".  They were always stalled.

[shakestheground]

Having seeen the movie for the thrid time yesterday, my new favorite quote is that of Ennis to his daughters after Alma had to take a shift at the grocery store:

"You girls need a push or somethin'?"

[Wanderer]

Having seeen the movie for the thrid time yesterday, my new favorite quote is that of Ennis to his daughters after Alma had to take a shift at the grocery store:

"You girls need a push or somethin'?"

To me, maybe the most comic moment of Heath in the movie. 

[chameau]

Having seeen the movie for the thrid time yesterday, my new favorite quote is that of Ennis to his daughters after Alma had to take a shift at the grocery store:

"You girls need a push or somethin'?"

To me, maybe the most comic moment of Heath in the movie. 

Ditto!

Refreshing one and very much needed! 

[rabjr1]

Having seeen the movie for the thrid time yesterday, my new favorite quote is that of Ennis to his daughters after Alma had to take a shift at the grocery store:

"You girls need a push or somethin'?"

To me, maybe the most comic moment of Heath in the movie. 

Ditto!

Refreshing one and very much needed! 

Nice touch, it shows that Ennis cares for his children.  Sometimes you see the father or mother take his/her frustrations out on the very ones that cannot fight back but Ennis is true to form even to his children: reticent but caring.

The children didn't seem to be too offput by their parents behavior.  Kids usually reflect turmoil better than adults.  I liked the childrens response to their father's short but caring attention to them MORE than his ( Ennis's) remark to them

[Lars-Gunnar]

Having seeen the movie for the thrid time yesterday, my new favorite quote is that of Ennis to his daughters after Alma had to take a shift at the grocery store:

"You girls need a push or somethin'?"

I so agree  That is a good moment! I also think all of Ennis' remarks about Jack' harmonica are funny! Like when Jack says that the mare got lucky to throw him off, and Ennis replies something like "Well, if I was lucky, that harmonica would have broken in two!"  Great moment!

[*Froggy*]

Having seen the movie for the throed time yesterday, my new favorite quote is that of Ennis to his daughters after Alma had to take a shift at the grocery store:

"You girls need a push or something?"

I like to think that he really wanted to be nice to his kids..but at the same time, his face seems to be showing a different meaning. In Europe we say "do you want my picture" when someone stares at you. The girls had over heard their parents argument, and when Ennis turns back to go back to the house, the girls are staring at him..he then asks if the girls want a push" but looked angry, then if I remember correctly he shoots some ash bucket, no? He is still angry.

I saw Ennis' comment as a "WARNING girls don't annoy your dad today"

Sorry if my English isn't tip top..I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open as I type this! :-\

[rane99]

When Jack and Ennis showed up to untangle the two flocks of sheep.  Jack pretty much wanted to to just say, "f*** this!' and Ennis said (to paraphrase)
" We got do it Jack, Joe Aquirre expects us to.  We gotta stick with it.'
And of course Jack does stick with it.
This little scene tells me alot about the characters and thier blossoming love.

[Toadily]

When Jack and Ennis showed up to untangle the two flocks of sheep.  Jack pretty much wanted to to just say, "f*** this!' and Ennis said (to paraphrase)
" We got do it Jack, Joe Aquirre expects us to.  We gotta stick with it.'
And of course Jack does stick with it.
This little scene tells me alot about the characters and thier blossoming love.

I agree, it showed they compliment each other.  Oddly it's Jack who looks for a job there again...

[rane99]

I agree, it showed they compliment each other.  Oddly it's Jack who looks for a job there again...

You are so right. They do complimet each other....  and Jack went back was looking for more than a job, heheh

[stephan]

I agree, it showed they compliment each other.  Oddly it's Jack who looks for a job there again...

You are so right. They do complimet each other....  and Jack went back was looking for more than a job, heheh

Agree agree agree. And when Aguirre tells Jack the job is over, he doesn't argue. Ennis is the one who complains. Ah, sharing...

[rikcub]

I think I caught something during Ennis' breakdown that hasn't been mentioned yet.  After he crumples to the ground stating that he's "nothing, nowhere..." you can just barely hear him mumble "I can't stand it"  It refers to what he said earlier: "if you can't fix it, you gotta stand it"  Now, if I heard right that blows the scene into a whole new level.  It is an admission on Ennis' part that their "situation" wasn't nearly enough for him either.  If anyone goes back to the theatre to see it please see if you can confirm if what I heard was right.

Another qote is perhaps the three strongest words in film history. "Jack, I swear."

A lot of people have been adding to the line such as ..I swear if I had to do it all over again I would  etc.   But I don't think we have to add words.  Here's why...

To swear to someone is the highest form of verbal contract one human can pledge to another.  That is why swearing in oaths are saved for only the most important ceremonies in society.  It is an oath of allegence and loyalty.  It is an offer of mind, body and soul to another.  Knights swore an oath to Kings.  People swear allegence to God and country.  It is without a doubt the highest honour one person can give and it is perhaps the first time Ennis, who is said not the swearing kind, meant it.

I've been a tortured Brokeback Mountain zombie for a week now.  It's really embarassing sobbing in public every time I see a pickup truck or a cowboy hat.

You are right.  He does indeed say he can't stand it anymore.  My take on that...and Jacks reaction...is that Jack finally lets go of his dream...he realizes that Ennis is hurting so much as a result of their relationship...and that he is not gettting what he needs...and he attempts to move on and let Ennis go so they can both stop hurting.  Of course it doesn't work...but Jack does try.

[rabjr1]

I think I caught something during Ennis' breakdown that hasn't been mentioned yet.  After he crumples to the ground stating that he's "nothing, nowhere..." you can just barely hear him mumble "I can't stand it"  It refers to what he said earlier: "if you can't fix it, you gotta stand it"  Now, if I heard right that blows the scene into a whole new level.  It is an admission on Ennis' part that their "situation" wasn't nearly enough for him either.  If anyone goes back to the theatre to see it please see if you can confirm if what I heard was right.

Another qote is perhaps the three strongest words in film history. "Jack, I swear."

A lot of people have been adding to the line such as ..I swear if I had to do it all over again I would  etc.   But I don't think we have to add words.  Here's why...

To swear to someone is the highest form of verbal contract one human can pledge to another.  That is why swearing in oaths are saved for only the most important ceremonies in society.  It is an oath of allegence and loyalty.  It is an offer of mind, body and soul to another.  Knights swore an oath to Kings.  People swear allegence to God and country.  It is without a doubt the highest honour one person can give and it is perhaps the first time Ennis, who is said not the swearing kind, meant it.

I've been a tortured Brokeback Mountain zombie for a week now.  It's really embarassing sobbing in public every time I see a pickup truck or a cowboy hat.

You are right.  He does indeed say he can't stand it anymore.  My take on that...and Jacks reaction...is that Jack finally lets go of his dream...he realizes that Ennis is hurting so much as a result of their relationship...and that he is not gettting what he needs...and he attempts to move on and let Ennis go so they can both stop hurting.  Of course it doesn't work...but Jack does try.

I like to think that they had a long talk where they got it all out settled business and decided to re-strengthen their bonds thus the postcard that Ennis sends to Jack about upcoming November trip.  You know the postcard that comes back marked "deceased".  I like to think that Jack and Ennis decided to continue with a few minor adjustments like maybe Jack might look for a temporary fix but they they always have BBM.  Never "part" always be there for each other......i could go on but you get my drift.

[rane99]

Two of my favorites are recently:

Ennis: "Now you're sleepin' on your feet like a horse."  <siiiigh>  could be I just love that scene to pieces, but the tone of his voice when he says that...!!  :-[

another one:

Ennis: (responding to Jack's harmonica playing) You'll run them sheep off again if ya don't quiet down.

maybe it's the look and smile he gives Jack after that that's so sweet...but I love the playful nature of things between them then, and how Jack doesn't even need to acknowledge him, but you *know* that he's grinning like a fool inside. 

those are 2 sweet scenes... for me I would like to add that brief heavy-lidded look that Jack gives right before he says "Ennis thats the most said in two week."  If I am not mistaken... that is the look of love.

[rane99]

This is from the book, but I loved it because it demonstrated Ennis and Jack's intimacy and Ennis' crazy, complicated love for Jack,

"...Ennis (to Jack), not big on endearments, said what he said to his horses and daughters, little darlin."

Yes. 'little darlin' to Jack from the story was the sweetest thing I have read in a long time. Two little words that mean love.

[Soldier-of-Rome]

Two of my favorites are recently:

Ennis: "Now you're sleepin' on your feet like a horse."  <siiiigh>  could be I just love that scene to pieces, but the tone of his voice when he says that...!!  :-[

another one:

Ennis: (responding to Jack's harmonica playing) You'll run them sheep off again if ya don't quiet down.

maybe it's the look and smile he gives Jack after that that's so sweet...but I love the playful nature of things between them then, and how Jack doesn't even need to acknowledge him, but you *know* that he's grinning like a fool inside. 

those are 2 sweet scenes... for me I would like to add that brief heavy-lidded look that Jack right before he says "Ennis thats the most said in two week."  If I am not mistaken that is the look of love.

Those scenes get me every time I think about them I love the tenderness and affection Ennis shows Jack, pulls him close and rocks and humms and whispers "and come sing to me ..." This movie has "got me good."

<sniffle sniffle - eyes watering>

[jason]

This is from the book, but I loved it because it demonstrated Ennis and Jack's intimacy and Ennis' crazy, complicated love for Jack,

"...Ennis (to Jack), not big on endearments, said what he said to his horses and daughters, little darlin."

Yes. 'little darlin' to Jack from the story was the sweetest thing I have read in a long time. Two little words that mean love.

I think "little darlin" is important for showing Ennis' feelings--we know how he feels but this is such a resounding affirmation.

So why didn't the screenplay and Ang Lee use it?  Why didn't they use all sorts of neat details from the story (Ennis bringing the cigarette in Jack's hand to his own mouth for a drag, as they lie together -- not facing one another of course LOL -- in the motel scene, for example)? 

I think they decided that they would do a bare-bones screenplay, in the hope this would be the most powerful rendering.  By the whammy of the movie maybe they were right.

Anyway, I just love filling some of the blanks/time with info from the story, which I'm rereading for the third time.

[jason]

for me I would like to add that brief heavy-lidded look that Jack gives right before he says "Ennis thats the most said in two week."  If I am not mistaken... that is the look of love.

Yeah rane, one a them neat details I felt but never really noticed, the heavy lidded look from *those* eyes.  Not just making Ennis feel that he was being observed a bit too closely, so he has to say the famous "What?" 

But starting to fall for this guy. 

Wow, I'll have to think about that.  How romantic.

[karind1]

just went again to the movie to celebrate awards--and looked at movie for a while differently...lots of women in theater-went to 3:30pm show in century city, california.  really thought of you guys alot.  feel like a little family here.   anyway, this was my 17th time since 12/22 and i am 58 yo woman-i adore this movie so.  i get to actually feel emotions that i bottle up most of the time.  and i have been lonely in crowded rooms if you get my drift...so much beauty and drama and even a few laughs in BBM.  anyway, this is not to offend anyone, so don't even think that--but i realized seeing it today--jack said "I am good with a can opener" (when they were talking about trading places with the sheep herding sleeping arrangements).   I thought for the first time in gay terms when he said that..."can opener".  made me smile inside.  also, i kinda wondered what other people watching it were thinking about the movie...but then of course, i knew the parts that rip my gut and really got into those. 
perhaps we could have some meet ups in different ciities around the country and world....
karin

[jason]

I think I caught something during Ennis' breakdown that hasn't been mentioned yet.  After he crumples to the ground stating that he's "nothing, nowhere..." you can just barely hear him mumble "I can't stand it"  It refers to what he said earlier: "if you can't fix it, you gotta stand it"  Now, if I heard right that blows the scene into a whole new level.  It is an admission on Ennis' part that their "situation" wasn't nearly enough for him either.  If anyone goes back to the theatre to see it please see if you can confirm if what I heard was right.

I didn't hear as much of Ennis' mumbles as most of y'all.  Nor in this case.  But his crumpling tells the whole story of how he feels. Here's the apparently more philosophical of the two ("taking it" over the years better maybe) just devastated.

Obsolutely right artistically.   For me it was the most powerful and touching scene. 

So often this kind of scene is put in because the story needs it and it gets acted without enough feeling, and ends up cheap/stupid. You just want to turn off the TV.  But this ....  !!!

[jason]

Another qote is perhaps the three strongest words in film history. "Jack, I swear."

A lot of people have been adding to the line such as ..I swear if I had to do it all over again I would  etc.   But I don't think we have to add words.  Here's why...

To swear to someone is the highest form of verbal contract one human can pledge to another.  That is why swearing in oaths are saved for only the most important ceremonies in society.  It is an oath of allegence and loyalty.  It is an offer of mind, body and soul to another.  Knights swore an oath to Kings.  People swear allegence to God and country.  It is without a doubt the highest honour one person can give and it is perhaps the first time Ennis, who is said not the swearing kind, meant it.

I've been a tortured Brokeback Mountain zombie for a week now.  It's really embarassing sobbing in public every time I see a pickup truck or a cowboy hat.

Good observation scruffy.  So much is held in those three words I couldn't easily analyse it--too much for my PBS brain right now ("mankind can't stand too much reality," as Eliot says). 

So I hadn't got as far as thinking about the high seriousness of a real oath. 

This fits my sense that there's a lot of really serious stuff here.  And this is one reason the movie is such a blockbuster.

Thanks!

PS Does honoUr plus seeing pickups/cowboy hats in your neck of the woods mean you're a Canadian?

[Entity]

I love "friend, this is a goddamned bitch of an unsatisfactory situation"
You know people laugh a bit at that but it also just says it.