Topic: The neuances in the movie many might have over looked

[Ennis Del Mar]

You really have to look close at the the actions of the charactors and watch what they do. When Ennis  was at Jacks parents house , when John Twist started out " Ennis Del Mar I am going to bring him up here and we're gonna lick this ranch in shape ,he had this Idea this the two of you were going to build a cabin and live there" If you watch very closely you see a very faint smile on Ennis's face. Then when John Twist continues on he mentioners that he has this idea this summer he is going bring another fellow up here to lick this place into shape, but like most of Jacks plans they to come to pass. Ennis's face changes from that faint smile to ASHEN AND SMILESLESS, SHOCKED THAT JACK,THE Love OF HIS LIFE HAD MOVED ON.He becomes heart broken because Jack has found someone else. When Ennis Had week to Jack that it was going to be in November before he could get away and if you watch Ennis is rubbing the door handle of Jacks trunk something a person would do when telling them they were going to be apart for longer than expected, the feet shuffling. Heath Ledger Became Ennis Del Mar, He enveloped himself into the character so much he was truly Ennis Del Mar. Like when they are sitting by the fire one night Jack tells Ennis that he has been making it with a neighbor's wife and some time hes apt to get cough by his wife or the neighbors Husband. Well he wasn't with the wife he was with her husband. More than likely the man he met at the big Dance. There are a lot of little things the you really have to look for. There  was  little rehearsing and Heath and Jake worked out their scenes together. They put more than 100% they put there whole soles into the making of this Movie Masterpiece. I think it's time for "Titanic" to step down and have "Brokeback mountain take it's place. "Gone with the Wind "now has some competion. I went to the theater 12 times. I watched the Last Two showings. It was Heath's Idea to reverse the shirts. Meaning that now he was watching over Jack. He had Jack n his heart and sole. For " LOVE IS A FORCE OF NATURE"

[hpv]

You really have to look close at the the actions of the charactors and watch what they do. When Ennis  was at Jacks parents house , when John Twist started out " Ennis Del Mar I am going to bring him up here and we're gonna lick this ranch in shape ,he had this Idea this the two of you were going to build a cabin and live there" If you watch very closely you see a very faint smile on Ennis's face. Then when John Twist continues on he mentioners that he has this idea this summer he is going bring another fellow up here to lick this place into shape, but like most of Jacks plans they to come to pass. Ennis's face changes from that faint smile to ASHEN AND SMILESLESS, SHOCKED THAT JACK,THE Love OF HIS LIFE HAD MOVED ON.He becomes heart broken because Jack has found someone else. When Ennis Had week to Jack that it was going to be in November before he could get away and if you watch Ennis is rubbing the door handle of Jacks trunk something a person would do when telling them they were going to be apart for longer than expected, the feet shuffling. Heath Ledger Became Ennis Del Mar, He enveloped himself into the character so much he was truly Ennis Del Mar. Like when they are sitting by the fire one night Jack tells Ennis that he has been making it with a neighbor's wife and some time hes apt to get cough by his wife or the neighbors Husband. Well he wasn't with the wife he was with her husband. More than likely the man he met at the big Dance. There are a lot of little things the you really have to look for. There  was  little rehearsing and Heath and Jake worked out their scenes together. They put more than 100% they put there whole soles into the making of this Movie Masterpiece. I think it's time for "Titanic" to step down and have "Brokeback mountain take it's place. "Gone with the Wind "now has some competion. I went to the theater 12 times. I watched the Last Two showings. It was Heath's Idea to reverse the shirts. Meaning that now he was watching over Jack. He had Jack n his heart and sole. For " LOVE IS A FORCE OF NATURE"

 Ennis Del Mar   
BTW,you have very interesting name   

If you read through the forum ..you'll discover that many of your observations have been discussed here already,in a different threads, but it's  good to hear a fresh point of view
and I'm sure you'll find the forum  fascinating,
Welcome to our little obsession!! please, go to
http://www.ennisjack.com/index.php?topic=4203.1260
I also like the way Heath goes into the little details like, the feet shuffling,or the finger bitting etc,that's why he was nominated(and robbed..) for an Oscar

[tpe]

BBM is special because of a depth that I think no other film about love can quite match.

It shows that love is not an idealization.  It is something that we strive to attain and hold every waking second of our lives.

A lot of times, people fail.  With some, the failure itself evokes a beauty and sadness rarely surpassed.

Love is not only beautiful when it triumphs.

In the tragedy of failed love, there is an awesome grandeur.

 

[ms.bluesky]

omg that was beautiful ennis del mar.i think ur totally right that the actors became the characters like i was watching an interview of michelle williams and she said when they were shotting the scene when she saw jack n ennis kissing that heath and jack were actually kiss so she could really see that

[aintfoolin]

Yes Alma in the reunion scene after she's seen the kiss. She's fumbleinfg in her purse for something. Cigs or a weapon? She looks like she" been punched hard in the stomach. I really feel sorry for her here.This hit her like a ton of bricks.

[CherryCake]

Yes Alma in the reunion scene after she's seen the kiss. She's fumbleinfg in her purse for something. Cigs or a weapon? She looks like she" been punched hard in the stomach. I really feel sorry for her here.This hit her like a ton of bricks.

mmmhmmm.  Poor ol'e Alma con't comprehend what she is seeing.  cain't compute.  Now you know if Alma woulda looked down and saw Ennis kissing on some brazen huzzzy, Alma would have flew down the stairs and asked what they was doing, and to please get you hands of the husband.  But Alma seeing her husband making out with a 'fishing buddy' must have cornfused that poor gal. Woulda been like seeing a dog wearing sunglasses driving a taxi cab smoking a cigar.. Don't make sense.

[ms.bluesky]

Yes Alma in the reunion scene after she's seen the kiss. She's fumbleinfg in her purse for something. Cigs or a weapon? She looks like she" been punched hard in the stomach. I really feel sorry for her here.This hit her like a ton of bricks.

mmmhmmm.  Poor ol'e Alma con't comprehend what she is seeing.  cain't compute.  Now you know if Alma woulda looked down and saw Ennis kissing on some brazen huzzzy, Alma would have flew down the stairs and asked what they was doing, and to please get you hands of the husband.  But Alma seeing her husband making out with a 'fishing buddy' must have cornfused that poor gal. Woulda been like seeing a dog wearing sunglasses driving a taxi cab smoking a cigar.. Don't make sense.
ur totally right that does make alot of sense u know why didnt she go down there

[aintfoolin]

I like the many neuances at the beginning of the movie. They've just left Aguirre's trailer office and jack exits first, followed by Ennis .Ennis is fumbleing with the watch and Jack is staring straight ahead. It's the first words spoken by Jack to Ennis.  Sticks his his hand out  Jack Twist.....There's a short pause before this happens as if Jack is waiting to see if Ennis is gonna speak to him first. But the thing that gets me the most is the "once over " with his eyes that Jack gives Ennis . Watch the eyes , cause they're takin a very interesting look at Ennis's butt. Check it out.  This short introduction scene is full of unspoken neuances. It highlights Jack's sweet outgoing personality, and Ennis's shy one.

[smilesalot]

I just noticed how both Heath and Jake get a bit teary eyed, but not blatantly so. As Jack's driving away after the summer on Brokeback -- he looks at Heath from his rear-view mirror -- and you see his eyes start to glisten, and he kind of swallows really hard that lump in his throat. And during the "We could be like this.." scene, you see Ennis' eyes just start to glisten when he says "Ain't no reins on this one." Then Jack reaches over and carresses him and Ennis kind of gives that little huff like he's trying to hold the sobs in. And then in the last Fight Scene, just before the "Never enough time, never enough" line....those eyes are glistening again. But then they dry up pretty quick when Ennis asks him about Mexico. Man we can go on and on about the acting in this movie. As I've said before DAMN YOU ACADEMY AWARDS for robbing our boys. However, I am convinced they will get their Oscars eventually -- Heath and Jake are just too good to be ignored.

[NoReins]

I just noticed how both Heath and Jake get a bit teary eyed, but not blatantly so. As Jack's driving away after the summer on Brokeback -- he looks at Heath from his rear-view mirror -- and you see his eyes start to glisten, and he kind of swallows really hard that lump in his throat. And during the "We could be like this.." scene, you see Ennis' eyes just start to glisten when he says "Ain't no reins on this one." Then Jack reaches over and carresses him and Ennis kind of gives that little huff like he's trying to hold the sobs in. And then in the last Fight Scene, just before the "Never enough time, never enough" line....those eyes are glistening again. But then they dry up pretty quick when Ennis asks him about Mexico. Man we can go on and on about the acting in this movie. As I've said before DAMN YOU ACADEMY AWARDS for robbing our boys. However, I am convinced they will get their Oscars eventually -- Heath and Jake are just too good to be ignored.

The first few times I watched I didn't really appreciate how well Heath had acted that bit - I was too caught up in listening to what they were saying to see all the things that they weren't saying with words but instead with looks, sighs and touches. Now this part really breaks my heart every time - the despair in Ennis's voice when he says "long as we can ride it" and then the little hitch in his voice as he says "ain't no reins on this one", trying to hold back the tears, knowing that what he wants and what his upbringing tells him is acceptable are worlds apart. If I'm not already in tears by the time he stops speaking, Jack stroking his cheek and then caressing the back of his head always finishes me off :\'( :\'( :\'( :\'(

Never mind the rest of the movie - this scene alone should have been enough to win the Oscar, Academy be damned

[Rosie]

You're right, smilesalot they WERE robbed. I know everyone always says about Heaths' performance deserving an Oscar - and it does - but I think that Jake equals him. Never more so than in their final meeting and the flashback scene. I've never seen such despondency and to contrast it with a look of PURE love in the next instant. Pure love on a young and optimistic face, when you know what is going to happen, then to bring it back to the older heartbroken face of Jack, - well to carry that off deserves an Oscar on its own, I know Ang Lee did the directing but Jake had to produce the look on his face.

[aimi15]

The 'sweet life' scene is a beautiful one. I too overlooked a lot of the detail in it at first, i was so wanting Ennis to give Jack more and so saddened by the desperation in Jack's eyes, most of what Ennis did passed me by. Now i watch and am blown away by Heath's acting in this scene, i love the way when he is letting Jack down he moves a little closer to him, as if to bridge the gap physically between them. It's almost as if he is saying 'i can't BE there like you ask, but i AM here'.

The way he puts his hat back on also fascinates me - it's like another form of defence on his part. Like you say 'Academy be damned!'

[gimmejack]

The 'sweet life' scene is a beautiful one. I too overlooked a lot of the detail in it at first, i was so wanting Ennis to give Jack more and so saddened by the desperation in Jack's eyes, most of what Ennis did passed me by. Now i watch and am blown away by Heath's acting in this scene, i love the way when he is letting Jack down he moves a little closer to him, as if to bridge the gap physically between them. It's almost as if he is saying 'i can't BE there like you ask, but i AM here'.

The way he puts his hat back on also fascinates me - it's like another form of defence on his part. Like you say 'Academy be damned!'

That was a beautiful beautiful scene! I wish I could freeze time right when Jack asks if there's anything interesting up there in heaven and re-write the script from there!!!  HAHA j/k

[aintfoolin]

I was on my lunch break at work when someone clicked on the Acadamy Awards show. Iwaited for BBM to be called the winners but was shocked when(I wont't even mention who, we all know.) What the hell is the problem with these Acadamy members? What more could they possibly need to see to determine which was the better movie. this movie had everything an Oscar winner could ask for    Superb acting, a great moving score, the cinematography is off the page,,,,,Let's be honest, this movie should cleaned up in jst about every major catagory!!!!THEY WERE ROBBED and every one knows it.

[NoReins]

I was on my lunch break at work when someone clicked on the Acadamy Awards show. Iwaited for BBM to be called the winners but was shocked when(I wont't even mention who, we all know.) What the hell is the problem with these Acadamy members? What more could they possibly need to see to determine which was the better movie. this movie had everything an Oscar winner could ask for    Superb acting, a great moving score, the cinematography is off the page,,,,,Let's be honest, this movie should cleaned up in jst about every major catagory!!!!THEY WERE ROBBED and every one knows it.

I stayed up through the night here to watch and, not surprisingly, I was furious when the result was announced.

Still, I do get some sort of smug satisfaction out of the fact that, four months on, there are still thousands of posts each week on here (and other forums too, no doubt), there are dozens of extremely good fan fictions based on Brokeback, the DVD is still selling well, and the movie has changed people's lives.....while the DVD of "that other movie" is in the sale in my local music store. Seems we're not the only people who think the Academy haven't got a clue.

[aintfoolin]

In the one scene where J&E are sitting the campfire and Jack is explaining that his "dad was a bull rider"  It appears that Jack is "primping for Ennis, streching those long legs out in front of him, squirming into a comfortable position. But did anyone else cringe when he appeared to have his BOOTS IN THE FIRE?.

[tpe]

In the one scene where J&E are sitting the campfire and Jack is explaining that his "dad was a bull rider"  It appears that Jack is "primping for Ennis, streching those long legs out in front of him, squirming into a comfortable position. But did anyone else cringe when he appeared to have his BOOTS IN THE FIRE?.

Somehow, I imagined the cold of the mountain (or Chicago in Winter, for that matter), and I immediately felt the comfort he must have gotten by positioning his boots to the fire...

[welshwitch]

I asssumed the grass was wet and his boots were just drying, though I doubt if the fire would have done the boots much good. If you're anywhere near an open fire, in my admittedly very limited experience, you're usually too hot or too cold, and given it's cold on Brokeback he's probably happy to be too hot.

[smilesalot]

I have seen this discussion about the boots a few times. I have been camping many a times and propped my feet up on the campfire stones just as Jack does. Sometimes you're so cold you wish you could just stand right in that fire, feels so good. Probably what Jack was up to. Looks like Jake was just trying to find a comfy spot and didn't realize his big feet were in the fire. Looks like he shifts pretty quickly though when he reaches over to give Ennis a drink.

[smilesalot]

Oh yes, I have a question, hope it's not OT and falls under one of the nuances of the film. I noticed that when Ennis comes back from getting thrown by the bear, he asked "Do you have whiskey or something?", as if he doesn't usually drink whiskey but needed something stronger. Of course throughout the rest of the movie Ennis seems to be drinking whiskey but only with Jack, rest of the time he's drinking beer. Why do you think that is? (Smiles asks herself, why do I care?) Was it just an economic thing?

[dirtbiker]

Oh yes, I have a question, hope it's not OT and falls under one of the nuances of the film. I noticed that when Ennis comes back from getting thrown by the bear, he asked "Do you have whiskey or something?", as if he doesn't usually drink whiskey but needed something stronger. Of course throughout the rest of the movie Ennis seems to be drinking whiskey but only with Jack, rest of the time he's drinking beer. Why do you think that is? (Smiles asks herself, why do I care?) Was it just an economic thing?

Maybe the whiskey thing is something special which he only shared with Jack on those infrequent couplings.  :-[

[CherryCake]

Oh yes, I have a question, hope it's not OT and falls under one of the nuances of the film. I noticed that when Ennis comes back from getting thrown by the bear, he asked "Do you have whiskey or something?", as if he doesn't usually drink whiskey but needed something stronger. Of course throughout the rest of the movie Ennis seems to be drinking whiskey but only with Jack, rest of the time he's drinking beer. Why do you think that is? (Smiles asks herself, why do I care?) Was it just an economic thing?

oooh, good point,smilesalot...
I think Ennis was still very irritable  over the bear situation and now thought it o.k.  to ask for some of what Jack was guzzlin'.  He didn't ask politely.   Hell, the rude way he rejected the water and asked for 'whiskey or something' made me want to hand him a flask!  He scared me! 

[Rosie]

I agree with dirtbiker, I too think the whiskey was something special he shared with Jack. 

[gimmejack]

About the whiskey.  After the bear encounter, Ennis pretty much DEMANDED a drink of whiskey which Jack quickly obliged.  Later at their gatherings, you see Jack pouring whiskey into Ennis' mug.  Then in the "you may be a sinner" scene, they share the bottle again (swapping spit, a very intimate gesture) It seems that as they get more comfortable with each other, the more they are willing to share the whiskey from the bottle.  I wonder if that was planned out or if I am making something out of nothing, because throughout the rest of the movie they share the bottle dont they?

[smilesalot]

oooh, good point,smilesalot...
I think Ennis was still very irritable  over the bear situation and now thought it o.k.  to ask for some of what Jack was guzzlin'.  He didn't ask politely.   Hell, the rude way he rejected the water and asked for 'whiskey or something' made me want to hand him a flask!  He scared me! 

Yes! I'm so glad you got that too. It seemed to me that scene showed a turning point. The look on Jack's face ...so full of concern and tenderness. The way Ennis talks to Jack, almost as if he's let down his guard somehow...like "Okay, no more Mr. Nice Guy...just gimme some whiskey." From then on Jack felt comfortable sharing his whiskey with Ennis. Such a small little thing, but IMO one of those brilliant little nuances that make the story rich with meaning.

[Patriot1]

Oh yes, I have a question, hope it's not OT and falls under one of the nuances of the film. I noticed that when Ennis comes back from getting thrown by the bear, he asked "Do you have whiskey or something?", as if he doesn't usually drink whiskey but needed something stronger. Of course throughout the rest of the movie Ennis seems to be drinking whiskey but only with Jack, rest of the time he's drinking beer. Why do you think that is? (Smiles asks herself, why do I care?) Was it just an economic thing?

Maybe the whiskey thing is something special which he only shared with Jack on those infrequent couplings.  :-[

I always assumed they drank whiskey on the mountain because they didn't have any way to keep beer cold for a week, beer took up too much space on the mule and whiskey neither took up a lot of space nor need ed to be refrigerated.

[smilesalot]

[

I always assumed they drank whiskey on the mountain because they didn't have any way to keep beer cold for a week, beer took up too much space on the mule and whiskey neither took up a lot of space nor need ed to be refrigerated.

Well, heck. That makes a lot more sense than me thinking the whiskey -- firewater -- reflects the fiery passion between Ennis and Jack and symbolizes their all consuming need to be together!! LOL. Sometimes I'm too much! Thanks for setting me straight Patriot!! lol. - smiles

[CherryCake]

Oh yes, I have a question, hope it's not OT and falls under one of the nuances of the film. I noticed that when Ennis comes back from getting thrown by the bear, he asked "Do you have whiskey or something?", as if he doesn't usually drink whiskey but needed something stronger. Of course throughout the rest of the movie Ennis seems to be drinking whiskey but only with Jack, rest of the time he's drinking beer. Why do you think that is? (Smiles asks herself, why do I care?) Was it just an economic thing?

Maybe the whiskey thing is something special which he only shared with Jack on those infrequent couplings.  :-[

I always assumed they drank whiskey on the mountain because they didn't have any way to keep beer cold for a week, beer took up too much space on the mule and whiskey neither took up a lot of space nor need ed to be refrigerated.

They had a way to keep beer cold, in a wet sack in the river.  Thats how you do it when you go camping. It's even metioned in the SS.
But whiskey warms up the cold mountain night and yes, easier to carry, so make sense to have the whiskey around.
O' course, would come in awful handy if someone had a mind to get someone liquored up, heheh

[Cowboy Cody]

Not to mention that Whiskey can be used as an antiseptic if needed and can be used to dull the pain quicker than beer due to the alcohol content. Plus the fact that Whiskey would have been popular in the West moreso than beer at that time.

[Patriot1]

Oh yes, I have a question, hope it's not OT and falls under one of the nuances of the film. I noticed that when Ennis comes back from getting thrown by the bear, he asked "Do you have whiskey or something?", as if he doesn't usually drink whiskey but needed something stronger. Of course throughout the rest of the movie Ennis seems to be drinking whiskey but only with Jack, rest of the time he's drinking beer. Why do you think that is? (Smiles asks herself, why do I care?) Was it just an economic thing?

Maybe the whiskey thing is something special which he only shared with Jack on those infrequent couplings.  :-[

I always assumed they drank whiskey on the mountain because they didn't have any way to keep beer cold for a week, beer took up too much space on the mule and whiskey neither took up a lot of space nor need ed to be refrigerated.

They had a way to keep beer cold, in a wet sack in the river.  Thats how you do it when you go camping. It's even metioned in the SS.
But whiskey warms up the cold mountain night and yes, easier to carry, so make sense to have the whiskey around.
O' course, would come in awful handy if someone had a mind to get someone liquored up, heheh

Yes, I did read in the story about the wet sack. I just never felt it kept the beer cold enough.  But I think it was more of a transport thing. And a pint of whiskey does get you drunker faster if you have something in mind, like you say.