SNIT wasn't animalistic, as it is the most tender moment in movie history!
But, come one, the FNIT, the reunion kiss........The motel sex they must of had after 4 years. They are men with high sex drives, and i don't think that we can ignore that. The SNIT was a moment of certain desperation on Ennis's behalf. He was too lonely, and he wanted some love, rather it be physical or emotional (he got both) Even in the SS Proulx says their 'couplings' never got any less passionate, or 'good'. 
Thay have animal sex, i know i would if i was either! but yes, there love is delicate, and they want to keep it that way. Also in the SS, Proulx explains that they never talked during sex, they just laughed and grunted (animal like?) there is nothing wrong with animal sex, and there is no reason to think that anyone meant wrong by saying they have 'mad animal sex' 
I don't think there's anything wrong with it, I'm sure they had very passionate sex. I just don't feel comfortable sometimes when people start to find sexual hints in every look and every word they exchange, their relationship was based on so much more than sexual attraction - and I'm saying that without denying that there was sexual attraction, and a very powerful one. in the bottom line, different people can have different takes on the same scene, one can see something sexual in it and the other doesn't, and everybody's entitled to their own opinion. Our impression from one scene or the other is a very subjective thing, you can't say who is right and who is wrong, Even if we asked Heath and Jake and Ang, each one of them could have a different opinion.
YAY - Go Keren!
I totally agree, you said perfectly what I was thinking. I've read everyone's opinions, and at the end of the day thats what they are - opinions on the same thing, and while it would be wonderful if we all agreed, that doesnt happen all the time. But I do agree with Keren - there is so much to a lot of the scenes in this film that go beyond simply having a sexual element to them - I think that is one of the reasons I loved it so much, because the friendship built up so convincingly into a sexual relationship, with all the elements of romance and lust and longing tangled up in it. I never once felt it was forced, or rushed, or used as an excuse to show two men having sex. Some of the earlier scenes in particular as just so wonderful, because you see the friendship growing, but I certainly don't scrutinise it to see if there is something sexual hidden in it.
For what it's worth, my opinion is that there is a definite chemistry between them from early on, and a sexual attraction on Jack's part, but as for Ennis, I doubt he really knew what was going on, and I doubt he had words in his vocabularly for what he was feeling. I certainly think that the "thats the most I've spoke in a year" scene was more about a growing chemistry between them, and Ennis recognising it properly for the first time. He knew something was going on, but wouldnt have known how to articulate it, and probably felt happy and excited that he was able to feel comfortable enough to talk to Jack, but at the same time, didnt know why. Which is probably why he did that little smile and then went all shy. His head and heart were probably sending him conflicting messages. I dont think Ennis was looking at Jack in a sexual way at that point.
