Topic: Significane of Ennis entering the Tent *Spoiler*

[stacp]

They were so tender with one another.  I believe both were hungry for that.
They didn't just have sex that night.  They made love.   

Amen to that, Karen.  Those boys understood each other completely; gave each other the intimacy, acceptance and love they both desperately craved.  SNIT is like two souls coming together; in that moment, an unbreakable bond forged between them, one even death couldn't break.  That was the creation of a deep and power love in that moment.  So tender, sweet and, yes sexy at the same time.  I love it--wanted some more of it!  If only that scene was a couple of minutes longer--we might have seen whether Ennis REALLY surrendered to Jack that night! 

[karen1129]

They were so tender with one another.  I believe both were hungry for that.
They didn't just have sex that night.  They made love.   

Amen to that, Karen.  Those boys understood each other completely; gave each other the intimacy, acceptance and love they both desperately craved.  SNIT is like two souls coming together; in that moment, an unbreakable bond forged between them, one even death couldn't break.  That was the creation of a deep and power love in that moment.  So tender, sweet and, yes sexy at the same time.  I love it--wanted some more of it!  If only that scene was a couple of minutes longer--we might have seen whether Ennis REALLY surrendered to Jack that night! 

Whew.... is it getting warm in here?

Jack laying there, probably thinking.....  is he coming in.... or not !!
Think he knew he would?

While Ennis was trying to get the nerve up, I was thinking.....  get on in there.... you can untangle them sheep in the
morning !  He probably didn't go back to the sheep for days !

[stacp]

They were so tender with one another.  I believe both were hungry for that.
They didn't just have sex that night.  They made love.   

Amen to that, Karen.  Those boys understood each other completely; gave each other the intimacy, acceptance and love they both desperately craved.  SNIT is like two souls coming together; in that moment, an unbreakable bond forged between them, one even death couldn't break.  That was the creation of a deep and power love in that moment.  So tender, sweet and, yes sexy at the same time.  I love it--wanted some more of it!  If only that scene was a couple of minutes longer--we might have seen whether Ennis REALLY surrendered to Jack that night! 

Whew.... is it getting warm in here?

Jack laying there, probably thinking.....  is he coming in.... or not !!
Think he knew he would?

While Ennis was trying to get the nerve up, I was thinking.....  get on in there.... you can untangle them sheep in the
morning !  He probably didn't go back to the sheep for days !

I was thinking the same thing--let them dogs babysit the sheep!  I think Jack was confidant Ennis would come in; he did have his shirt off.  I bet some nervous looks were exchanged around the campfire that night.  Also, Ennis does tell Jack "it's a one shot thing" not "it WAS a one shot thing."  Maybe Jack got the hint Ennis wasn't about to stop.  Sheep be damned!!!    I think the temp just did go up a couple of notches . . .  How can you talk about SNIT without getting out your rotating fan? 

[karen1129]

As Annie said in the book....  they both knew how it would go the rest of the summer.  Sheep be damned !
I would give anything to have seen them "fer supper".  I bet Jack even turned in early !
They didn't get much sleep the night before !   Sleep be damned !

[rushg8rwes]

3-time viewer here; I have it from netflix and can't bring myself to return it yet.... :-\

I think Ennis was apologizing for the way he left so abruptly that morning..the scene was definitely their first night after their inital sex (which WAS sex, btw---they hadn't yet reached the "making love" level, but it was about to happen)...

Ennis' surrender was evident when he let Jack hold him; what I found interesting was how Jack flipped him in an fairly obvious attempt to "top"  him...Lee made no attempt to assign top/bottom roles (thankfully, one of the many ingenious things he did-but that's a whole other topic), but I always felt if they ever took them, Jack would've been the bottom-but who knows? Again, that's just 1 of the many amazing things about the movie...

[welshwitch]

It seems to me that there's a hunger in the way they touch each other - my feeling is that simple touching by and of another human being is not something eithr has experienced much of before. There's a difference between desire and affection; FNIT is all about the former, this is all about showing the later. In a way being together, touching, kissing, feeling is a lot more about love - FNIT is largely blind passion and therefore violent, this is love and so gentle, caring, tender and that's why it's beautiful. If anything binds them together, it's this experience and I think this sensation that they try to recreate in subsequent meetings.

And I think it's so compelling because that kind of feeling is something we all want but don;t always, or even ever, get.   

[karen1129]

It seems to me that there's a hunger in the way they touch each other - my feeling is that simple touching by and of another human being is not something eithr has experienced much of before. There's a difference between desire and affection; FNIT is all about the former, this is all about showing the later. In a way being together, touching, kissing, feeling is a lot more about love - FNIT is largely blind passion and therefore violent, this is love and so gentle, caring, tender and that's why it's beautiful. If anything binds them together, it's this experience and I think this sensation that they try to recreate in subsequent meetings.

And I think it's so compelling because that kind of feeling is something we all want but don;t always, or even ever, get.   

Amen.  You described it all so perfectly.  FNIT they had sex.... SNIT they definitely made love.
I also believe it was the first time either of them had ever experienced that type of tenderness from anyone.
They spent the next 20 years trying to recreate their first summer on Brokeback. 
Damn....  I feel like crying now !

[stacp]

It seems to me that there's a hunger in the way they touch each other - my feeling is that simple touching by and of another human being is not something eithr has experienced much of before. There's a difference between desire and affection; FNIT is all about the former, this is all about showing the later. In a way being together, touching, kissing, feeling is a lot more about love - FNIT is largely blind passion and therefore violent, this is love and so gentle, caring, tender and that's why it's beautiful. If anything binds them together, it's this experience and I think this sensation that they try to recreate in subsequent meetings.

And I think it's so compelling because that kind of feeling is something we all want but don;t always, or even ever, get.   

Amen.  You described it all so perfectly.  FNIT they had sex.... SNIT they definitely made love.
I also believe it was the first time either of them had ever experienced that type of tenderness from anyone.
They spent the next 20 years trying to recreate their first summer on Brokeback. 
Damn....  I feel like crying now !

Here Karen, have one of my many tissues (stacp holds out hand).  Welshwitch, what a beautiful post.  Ang has said that he filmed the SNIT to "cement" their love.  I think that came across perfectly in SNIT.  It was love that caused Ennis to walk toward that tent, take off his hat and surrender into the arms of Jack.  It was love that made Jack be so tender and caring toward Ennis, and gently roll on top of him.  As for the top/bottom roles, I can only imagine *cough, cough* that they both explored both options over the years, but maybe that's just wishful thinking. 

[Rønnaug]

)...

Ennis' surrender was evident when he let Jack hold him; what I found interesting was how Jack flipped him in an fairly obvious attempt to "top"  him...Lee made no attempt to assign top/bottom roles (thankfully, one of the many ingenious things he did-but that's a whole other topic), but I always felt if they ever took them, Jack would've been the bottom-but who knows? Again, that's just 1 of the many amazing things about the movie...

Hehe...bottom-but ( sorry I am tired)

I think you are right about this Ennis went in there, initiated, but let Jack run the show... the exact opposite of FNIT

[shieldmaid]

I think you are right about this Ennis went in there, initiated, but let Jack run the show... the exact opposite of FNIT

Hey, that's a really good point.  Especially after their conversation ("You know i ain't queer." "Me neither"), it was really important for Ennis to get the relationship started, but then to let Jack lead the way into affection, trust, and cuddling.  Ooo!

[Sunflower79]

I also think its saying, Here I am. please take me . I am ready to beging something special with you, I am sorry for  what I said before or what I  didn't say before..so here I am and lets see where this goes ..he seemed so nervous and unsure ...he wanted to reach out for affection and Jack made it easy by accepting him and saying Its okay and I will take you  and make sure its good  :o

[karen1129]

Ennis knew what waited for him in that tent .  Passion.
I wanted to scream out at the theater ..  get up off you ass and get on in there".
He did !!! 


I thought he was going to cry there for a minute. 
Dear Lord, whoever came up with the idea of Jack laying, straddled on top of Ennis, has my
thanks and admiration.

[stacp]

Ennis knew what waited for him in that tent .  Passion.
I wanted to scream out at the theater ..  get up off you ass and get on in there".
He did !!! 


I thought he was going to cry there for a minute. 
Dear Lord, whoever came up with the idea of Jack laying, straddled on top of Ennis, has my
thanks and admiration.

Yes, indeed.  I thought Ennis looked really emotional, too.  Scared, nervous, and excited at the same time.  I don't think Ennis ever believed he could feel love like that.

[karen1129]

Ennis knew what waited for him in that tent .  Passion.
I wanted to scream out at the theater ..  get up off you ass and get on in there".
He did !!! 


I thought he was going to cry there for a minute. 
Dear Lord, whoever came up with the idea of Jack laying, straddled on top of Ennis, has my
thanks and admiration.

Yes, indeed.  I thought Ennis looked really emotional, too.  Scared, nervous, and excited at the same time.  I don't think Ennis ever believed he could feel love like that.

I'm sure Ennis had never been kissed like that before.  Or after for that matter, except for Jack.
He got a taste of love and passion.
 

[keren_b]

I also think its saying, Here I am. please take me . I am ready to beging something special with you, I am sorry for  what I said before or what I  didn't say before..so here I am and lets see where this goes ..he seemed so nervous and unsure ...he wanted to reach out for affection and Jack made it easy by accepting him and saying Its okay and I will take you  and make sure its good  :o

Sunflower that's so beautiful, and true. By making the first step and going in there, he was telling Jack all these things he couldn't verbalize. Ennis may be short of words but he speaks with his actions.

[shieldmaid]

By making the first step and going in there, he was telling Jack all these things he couldn't verbalize. Ennis may be short of words but he speaks with his actions.

Absolutely.  And I think it's Ennis's facial expression that really gives him away here.  After he is finally able to look Jack in the eye and kiss him, they lie down together and he surrenders to the moment.  His mouth is slightly open, eyes closed, and he clutches Jack like no one's ever needed anyone else as badly.  He lets Jack see a side of him that no one else ever will--even Alma.

[mactwck]

Ennis's surrender into the arms of Jack is also sweeter when you consider that Ennis is going against everything he was taught by his father.  Because his parents died when he was so young he probably did not know how to be intimate with someone.  By laying down in Jack's strong arms he is surrendering for the first time to love.  I am sure he thought that he loved Alma (when he asked her to marry him) but he found out what love really was that night.

[City Slickin' Cowboy]

Just want to concur with all of you who believe SNIT to be a beautiful piece of work from the director, cinematographer and actors' points of view.
It is rare to see a love scene so intimate and so touching that it makes you cry. The sweetness of Jack's face, the gentle touch to Ennis cheek, Ennis sort of hanging there for a moment mouth slightly open like he's waiting for another kiss...it's all perfection.
Then when they lie down and Jack is so tender and giving and Ennis so wanting...I never, ever see this scene without crying - not sobs, just teary-eyed after a deranged number of viewings.
And, kudos to Gustavo for that music that feels like it's being played on one's own heartstrings.
Truly one of the most remarkable and believable love scenes on film...all else pales in comparison.

It's been a while since visiting this thread. All of these posts just bring back the emotion from viewing this scene.  I must agree...this is one of the most tender and believable love scenes ever depicted on screen.  I've never been moved to cry, but I am ALWAYS completely mesmerized.

[Koka]

just wanted to say that each time I watch the movie and see Ennis enter that tent, well, each time I see the whole freakin' tent scene, I can't help but feel as if I were watching a little child. a little child wanting to give in, a little child longing for a hug, longing for a kiss, longing for a place where he can feel safe. home is where the heart is and from that moment forward, Ennis' heart was in Jack's posesion, therefore his home was in Jack's arms- in those arms that held him tight and never wanted to let go.
From that moment on, the two had left innocene, they had left everything they knew behind....and they went for it and found themselves a new home- in each other's arms, in each other's kiss....in each other.

[keren_b]

just wanted to say that each time I watch the movie and see Ennis enter that tent, well, each time I see the whole freakin' tent scene, I can't help but feel as if I were watching a little child. a little child wanting to give in, a little child longing for a hug, longing for a kiss, longing for a place where he can feel safe. home is where the heart is and from that moment forward, Ennis' heart was in Jack's posesion, therefore his home was in Jack's arms- in those arms that held him tight and never wanted to let go.
From that moment on, the two had left innocene, they had left everything they knew behind....and they went for it and found themselves a new home- in each other's arms, in each other's kiss....in each other.

That's so beautiful Koka. and so true. Thank you.

[chameau]

just wanted to say that each time I watch the movie and see Ennis enter that tent, well, each time I see the whole freakin' tent scene, I can't help but feel as if I were watching a little child. a little child wanting to give in, a little child longing for a hug, longing for a kiss, longing for a place where he can feel safe. home is where the heart is and from that moment forward, Ennis' heart was in Jack's posesion, therefore his home was in Jack's arms- in those arms that held him tight and never wanted to let go.
From that moment on, the two had left innocene, they had left everything they knew behind....and they went for it and found themselves a new home- in each other's arms, in each other's kiss....in each other.

That's so beautiful Koka. and so true. Thank you.

You just got me Koka  :-[ :\'(

[shieldmaid]

just wanted to say that each time I watch the movie and see Ennis enter that tent, well, each time I see the whole freakin' tent scene, I can't help but feel as if I were watching a little child. a little child wanting to give in, a little child longing for a hug, longing for a kiss, longing for a place where he can feel safe. home is where the heart is and from that moment forward, Ennis' heart was in Jack's posesion, therefore his home was in Jack's arms- in those arms that held him tight and never wanted to let go.
From that moment on, the two had left innocene, they had left everything they knew behind....and they went for it and found themselves a new home- in each other's arms, in each other's kiss....in each other.

Thank you, Koka.  I think you put your finger on exactly the reason why SNIT seems in many ways the emotional pinnacle of the movie--here they learn to put their hearts before their physical desires.

[christie wood]

I love coming back to this thread to see all the new thoughts and feelings over this amazing scene.....gets me every single time.   

There's one thing I noticed on my latest viewing, and it may have been picked up already, and if so I apologise.  When Ennis first comes into the tent, and Jack sits up, he places his hand on Ennis' arm, virtually straightaway.  I love that.  I love the fact that Jack knows instinctively what he wants to do, which is to be close to Ennis, be touching Ennis and it's as if its what he's been longing to do ever since FNIT.  Its also a reassuring touch too, to let Ennis know that its ok, everything's going to be ok, and that Jack is glad that Ennis has taken that step into the tent.

[welshwitch]

A lot of the attraction is the gentleness of every mood, and the lack of haste - Jack can't stalk a coyote or keep still llong enough to take aim at an elk, but he can control his impetuosity for Ennis's sake.

[danac]

I also think its saying,  I am sorry for  what I said before or what I  didn't say before..so here I am and lets see where this goes ..he seemed so nervous and unsure ...he wanted to reach out for affection and Jack made it easy by accepting him and saying Its okay and I will take you  and make sure its good  :o

I don't think Ennis was apologizing for anything. I think he sat there by the fire - after thinking about it for a timeline we can't be sure of: there is no evidence that it was the night after FNIT - knowing that whatever he thought about being "queer", he wanted to be with Jack. He sat there, he made the decision to go to him...entering the tent was Ennis giving himself to Jack. He gets tangled up in Jack's lasso later, but he was already tangled up in Jack after SNIT.

[karen1129]

I also think its saying,  I am sorry for  what I said before or what I  didn't say before..so here I am and lets see where this goes ..he seemed so nervous and unsure ...he wanted to reach out for affection and Jack made it easy by accepting him and saying Its okay and I will take you  and make sure its good  :o

I don't think Ennis was apologizing for anything. I think he sat there by the fire - after thinking about it for a timeline we can't be sure of: there is no evidence that it was the night after FNIT - knowing that whatever he thought about being "queer", he wanted to be with Jack. He sat there, he made the decision to go to him...entering the tent was Ennis giving himself to Jack. He gets tangled up in Jack's lasso later, but he was already tangled up in Jack after SNIT.

I don't think he was apoligizing either.  He just didn't know what to hell to do.  He knew he wanted to be in there with Jack
so bad it hurt, but yet again, he didn't want to be "queer".  Going into that tent sealed things for him.
I think he knew it before he walked in too.

[jesseanne21]

I saw this movie at the theater and then watched it MORE THAN A FEW TIMES on DVD with the subtitles on so I could catch every word.

In the second tent scene, when Jack first kisses Ennis, Ennis pulls back a little during the kiss and that's when he says "Sorry."  Sorry for pulling back, because he's a little scared..

Jack then tells him "It's Alright.  It's Alright.  Just  Relax"  and then holds him to calm him down.  It was very difficult to hear this line in the movie.

As for the significance of Ennis entering the tent...Ennis wanted to be there, SCARED or not!!!!

[karen1129]

I saw this movie at the theater and then watched it MORE THAN A FEW TIMES on DVD with the subtitles on so I could catch every word.

In the second tent scene, when Jack first kisses Ennis, Ennis pulls back a little during the kiss and that's when he says "Sorry."  Sorry for pulling back, because he's a little scared..

Jack then tells him "It's Alright.  It's Alright.  Just  Relax"  and then holds him to calm him down.  It was very difficult to hear this line in the movie.

As for the significance of Ennis entering the tent...Ennis wanted to be there, SCARED or not!!!!

Yes he did !  Spit string and all !

[shieldmaid]

I love coming back to this thread to see all the new thoughts and feelings over this amazing scene.....gets me every single time.   

There's one thing I noticed on my latest viewing, and it may have been picked up already, and if so I apologise.  When Ennis first comes into the tent, and Jack sits up, he places his hand on Ennis' arm, virtually straightaway.  I love that.  I love the fact that Jack knows instinctively what he wants to do, which is to be close to Ennis, be touching Ennis and it's as if its what he's been longing to do ever since FNIT.  Its also a reassuring touch too, to let Ennis know that its ok, everything's going to be ok, and that Jack is glad that Ennis has taken that step into the tent.

I never thought about that before, christie, but you're totally right.  Jack gives Ennis a non-threatening touch to get started, to get him used to being touched with his eyes wide open (so to speak!).  Jack both shows him his attraction/love here and reassures him.  What a guy. 

[welshwitch]

There's a French saying, something to the effect that in a love affair there is always one who kisses and one who turns his cheek. This defines the roles of the two of them in the scene - one of the great things is seeing Ennis uncertain and dependent on Jack - it's such a contrast with some of his actions later.