Topic: Symbols you will forever associate with BBM scenes

[greenfrog]

Are you saying that their clothing in general could be symbols? not just their hats?  If so I agree, right down to Jack's rodeo buckle.

The buckle. 

It is a symbol of "Jack Twist", no?

Indeed 

[ksxks]

This is kind of a symbol.  I had a BBM "sighting" today.  I live in San Diego, and was behind a big (new) GMC truck for a while driving home from work, staring at the Wyoming license plate, daydreaming about Ennis and Jack.  Well, you know how in some states (not California) they put the car dealership's name right on the body of the car itself?  This one was from Riverton, Wyo.  I didn't notice that until I was about to turn off, so I didn't get the name of the dealership. Just seeing "Riverton, Wyo." tripped me out.  So that's the symbol:  Wyoming license plates, car dealership names in Riverton. 

kathy

[greenfrog]

How about Elk ?

[welshwitch]

Don't let's think about the elk - he ended up being eaten!

[tpe]

This is kind of a symbol.  I had a BBM "sighting" today.  I live in San Diego, and was behind a big (new) GMC truck for a while driving home from work, staring at the Wyoming license plate, daydreaming about Ennis and Jack.  Well, you know how in some states (not California) they put the car dealership's name right on the body of the car itself?  This one was from Riverton, Wyo.  I didn't notice that until I was about to turn off, so I didn't get the name of the dealership. Just seeing "Riverton, Wyo." tripped me out.  So that's the symbol:  Wyoming license plates, car dealership names in Riverton. 

kathy

God.  Now that is interesting  -- and uncanny!  Reminds me of FlwrChild's expereince on arriving in Montreal last July...

 

[tpe]

How about Elk ?

WW has a point.    But I must admit that the references to shooting elk in the movie have made me associate this with BBM.

[brokie007]

What about "Twist" - the dance we dance to "Let's twist again"!!  I'm never gonna dance the twist again like ever before....

[greenfrog]

What about "Twist" - the dance we dance to "Let's twist again"!!  I'm never gonna dance the twist again like ever before....

      

[tpe]

What about "Twist" - the dance we dance to "Let's twist again"!!  I'm never gonna dance the twist again like ever before....

      

I don't know.  It's a little bit too unlike Jack. 

[welshwitch]

Yes, that's strange. I see Jack as a sort of life force but I don't envision him dancing in any sort of violently physical way - odd, because I always think of him as intensely physical.

Maybe that's an effect of the actor playing the part rather than the way the character is written, but I don't think so. I've just realizes that both Jack and Ennis end up dancing, both in the smae general sort of way and to the same general sort of music, Jack rather well, Ennis reluctantly and badly. Another symbolic representation of the diffeernce between them.

[ksxks]

Yes, that's strange. I see Jack as a sort of life force but I don't envision him dancing in any sort of violently physical way - odd, because I always think of him as intensely physical.

Maybe that's an effect of the actor playing the part rather than the way the character is written, but I don't think so. I've just realizes that both Jack and Ennis end up dancing, both in the smae general sort of way and to the same general sort of music, Jack rather well, Ennis reluctantly and badly. Another symbolic representation of the diffeernce between them.

Maybe a little OT, but dancing is something that men of that era and those locales did proudly (and still do) -- in other words, dancing couldn't be said as being anything "sissy," but a fine, masculine thing to do.  For what that's worth -- not really an issue here.  Anyway, to me, it looks like Jack maybe learned the minimum of social dancing to get by, but he didn't look like a good, natural dancer in either scene, like some of the other men at that country club looked like.  And I have no idea if Jake is a good dancer or not.  But we know Heath is a dancer, so he had to play a bad or awkward dancer...which I love how he did.  Reluctant or awkward notwithstanding, I love watching him "dance" with Cassie to Devil's Right Hand.

kathy

[greenfrog]

I love it when

[welshwitch]

Yes? When?

[greenfrog]

Yes? When?

Oops  . . . .

I love it when Ennis and Jack dance. 

[tpe]

Maybe a little OT, but dancing is something that men of that era and those locales did proudly (and still do) -- in other words, dancing couldn't be said as being anything "sissy," but a fine, masculine thing to do.  For what that's worth -- not really an issue here.  Anyway, to me, it looks like Jack maybe learned the minimum of social dancing to get by, but he didn't look like a good, natural dancer in either scene, like some of the other men at that country club looked like.  And I have no idea if Jake is a good dancer or not.  But we know Heath is a dancer, so he had to play a bad or awkward dancer...which I love how he did.  Reluctant or awkward notwithstanding, I love watching him "dance" with Cassie to Devil's Right Hand.

kathy

Yes, the dance scene with cassie was well done -- you certainly got the impression that Ennis was just going through the motions without really knowing how to dance properly.

Quite a number of interesting dance scenes in this movie.  The most haunting ones are Jack's dance with Lureen, and Ennis dancing with Cassie with Alma Jr. looking on. You can't help feel that there is symbolism embedded in those two dance sequences.

[welshwitch]

Lureen is doing the female bit in the dancing scene - gazing up at a man and focusing on his mouth is meant to be a sure way to get him to kiss you!

In the first scene when he's "dancing" with Cassie, Ennis is holding a cigarette - yuk!

I reckon there's a deliberate contrast between the two - Jack can adapt, is socially more at ease, and can look convincing; Ennis isn't interested, lacks grace ( imagine saying to someone you've just danced with that you hope you won't have to again!) and doesn't fit into social situations.

More generally, Jack is flexible and creative, for want of a better word; Ennis is stuck in one mode and unable or unwilling to change.

[ksxks]

In the first scene when he's "dancing" with Cassie, Ennis is holding a cigarette - yuk!

We all have our "buzz" things.  Just remember, though, it was not "yuk" at the time.  So many of these things, we're seeing through our 21st century eyes.  We have to consider the mores of the times.  Smoking was generally acceptable.  We could say:  yuk, Alma didn't use birth control.  Yuk, she's staying home with the kids.  Yuk, they're eating Spam.  Yuk, they're using leaded gasoline.  Yuk, they drink a lot.

I know we can't help but look at any movie through the filters of our current times, but as long as we realize we are doing so...

kathy

[tpe]

In the first scene when he's "dancing" with Cassie, Ennis is holding a cigarette - yuk!

We all have our "buzz" things.  Just remember, though, it was not "yuk" at the time.  So many of these things, we're seeing through our 21st century eyes.  We have to consider the mores of the times.  Smoking was generally acceptable.  We could say:  yuk, Alma didn't use birth control.  Yuk, she's staying home with the kids.  Yuk, they're eating Spam.  Yuk, they're using leaded gasoline.  Yuk, they drink a lot.

I know we can't help but look at any movie through the filters of our current times, but as long as we realize we are doing so...

kathy

I would even suggest that perhaps smoking was the norm...

Speaking about these things brings to mind the sterotypical symbols of the "Marlboro" man -- a man who is self-sufficient, rugged, used ot hardships, and given to few simple (i.e., unsophisticated pleasures).  Smoking, it would seem, is part of that image.  Jack also smoked -- and both he and Ennis apparently enjoyed a joint or two in their later years...

[welshwitch]

I grew up with uncles who smoked; none of them would have dreamed of smoking while dancing. As far as the yuk factor is concerned, yuk they smoke and drink too much and yuk they'r eating Spam would have been as true of my and my family's reactions then as now. Unleaded gas wasn't available, so it wasn't a choice you could make then.Don't know about the birth-control thing but as far as yuk she's staying home with the kids is concerned, I certainly wouldn't say it at any time, including now - rather the opposite in fact.

[ksxks]

I grew up with uncles who smoked; none of them would have dreamed of smoking while dancing. As far as the yuk factor is concerned, yuk they smoke and drink too much and yuk they'r eating Spam would have been as true of my and my family's reactions then as now. Unleaded gas wasn't available, so it wasn't a choice you could make then.Don't know about the birth-control thing but as far as yuk she's staying home with the kids is concerned, I certainly wouldn't say it at any time, including now - rather the opposite in fact.

Okay, well I guess there were different norms where and when you grew up than where and when I did.

kathy

[JT]

I grew up with uncles who smoked; none of them would have dreamed of smoking while dancing. As far as the yuk factor is concerned, yuk they smoke and drink too much and yuk they'r eating Spam would have been as true of my and my family's reactions then as now. Unleaded gas wasn't available, so it wasn't a choice you could make then.Don't know about the birth-control thing but as far as yuk she's staying home with the kids is concerned, I certainly wouldn't say it at any time, including now - rather the opposite in fact.

Okay, well I guess there were different norms where and when you grew up than where and when I did.

kathy

That is true everywhere and in every time period.  There are people out there who thinks this movie as yuk.   
But everyone here agree that our Brokeback Mountain is yummy.  I hope.   

[ksxks]

That is true everywhere and in every time period.  There are people out there who thinks this movie as yuk.   
But everyone here agree that our Brokeback Mountain is yummy.  I hope.   

This is true.  Some people think we're the scum of the earth to think that the love of these two men is beautiful.  And yes, we do.  Yummy and beautiful, speaking for myself.

kathy

[tpe]

That is true everywhere and in every time period.  There are people out there who thinks this movie as yuk.   
But everyone here agree that our Brokeback Mountain is yummy.  I hope.   

This is true.  Some people think we're the scum of the earth to think that the love of these two men is beautiful.  And yes, we do.  Yummy and beautiful, speaking for myself.

kathy

BBM can be thought of as a symbol/allegory for Love itself.  Whether people like BBM or not, I think the allegory was potent enough to make it hard for people to ignore...

[Toadily]

certain sayings like "Tell ya what" "dumb ass"  which are common but now have special meaning...

[brokie007]

 And I have no idea if Jake is a good dancer or not.  But we know Heath is a dancer, so he had to play a bad or awkward dancer...which I love how he did.  Reluctant or awkward notwithstanding, I love watching him "dance" with Cassie to Devil's Right Hand.

kathy


yeah...i love watching that scene too kathy......Heath is so damn hot "dancing" like that.....   

[ksxks]

certain sayings like "Tell ya what" "dumb ass"  which are common but now have special meaning...

Yes!  Our BBM words and phrases as "symbols."  We're so funny, like little BBM radio receivers, fine-tuned to hearing "tell you what" or "truth is" or "dumbass," "it ain't right," all of it.  Our antennae pick up the slightest little bit of potential BBM speak around us and play it through our minds...  What a bunch of loonies.  Lovable and creative and smart and sensitive loonies, loonies who will help with open arms...

kathy

[welshwitch]

Don't think Jake is an expert dancer - inone of the background things there's a section of him being taught how to do that dance he does with Lureen, which doesn't exactly look difficult.

Kathy, i agree with you. We've all spent so long watching the movie, reading the ss and above all talking on here that almost anything  can set us off.There are so many symbols in the movie, and as tpe says the movie itself symbolizes many things to us, then the forum has a symbolic significance in our lives.Just the three letters, BBM, are enough to start up trains of associations and memories.

[chameau]

Don't think Jake is an expert dancer - inone of the background things there's a section of him being taught how to do that dance he does with Lureen, which doesn't exactly look difficult.

Kathy, i agree with you. We've all spent so long watching the movie, reading the ss and above all talking on here that almost anything  can set us off.There are so many symbols in the movie, and as tpe says the movie itself symbolizes many things to us, then the forum has a symbolic significance in our lives.Just the three letters, BBM, are enough to start up trains of associations and memories.

Right, even a cup of coffee or apple pie makes me think of it.

[ksxks]

Don't think Jake is an expert dancer - inone of the background things there's a section of him being taught how to do that dance he does with Lureen, which doesn't exactly look difficult.

Kathy, i agree with you. We've all spent so long watching the movie, reading the ss and above all talking on here that almost anything  can set us off.There are so many symbols in the movie, and as tpe says the movie itself symbolizes many things to us, then the forum has a symbolic significance in our lives.Just the three letters, BBM, are enough to start up trains of associations and memories.

Right -- it's not only the symbols in the movie, but the movie itself in its entirety (and all the people involved in it), and the experience we've all had of the movie, the experience continued and built upon here, and learning what other people's experiences are.

I mean, even "Congratulations" is a loaded word now!  Not to mention "thread" and "OT" and such.

As to Jake and dancing -- that's interesting.  Thanks for that tidbit.  I don't recall reading that, but I can see it.  Not that I'm currently a great dancer, but I know a natural when I see one, and my mom was a dancer, etc.  Not that it matters at all if Jake is a good dancer or not (we know he's a good kisser, and a good hugger), but I did notice that slight awkwardness in the dancing scenes of Jack.  However, maybe he can hip-hop or whatever, modern dancing, but had to learn a proper waltz.  I'm kind of surprised that wasn't something he learned in his talented family.  Sorry, OT -- what thread am I in?  Or yes -- symbols.  Well, dancing is one of them, so I guess it's okay.

kathy

[ksxks]

Right, even a cup of coffee or apple pie makes me think of it.

  

kathy