Topic: The Little Things

[Patriot1]

...but at this point I think she knew about those "fishing trips'

There is no doubt in my mine she knew about the "fishing" trips.  She had, after all, seen them kissing passionately; so passionately that Ennis' shoulders were straining.  (A kiss more passionate than she had ever gotten?)

[Patriot1]

He did leave his tackle box on the table...I expected them to kiss actually...Jack and Lureen did when Jack heads out to meet Ennis.

Ah yes!  But the screenplay tells us in the notes, "Jack gives up [ looking for the parka]. Goes over, kisses her [Lureen]. Their lips barely touch."  [emphasis mine]

[dalemidex]

I love all those little looks Ennis gives Jack - they start out furtive, then become curious, then interested, and then contented.  "Companionship where none had been expected," as Proulx put it.  There's one I swear looks like he's checking out that tall dark stranger who stirred something in him as Jack rides off.  Brilliant work by Ledger. 

-btb

YES!  And I think this and similar things make the first tent scene more understandable.

After the first viewing or two my thought was that the first tent scene HAD to be that way, even though it was kind of unexpected and even a tiny bit out of character, because it had to be a dam burst.  The couldn't have just started hodling hands, etc.  Would have never worked that way.

But after the 3rd, 4th, etc viewing I started seeing more flirting and signals.  The long, long look Ennis gives Jack when he rides off that morning is very telling.  Thanks for bringing that one up!

[lowpro]

I think Ennis's love for his girls is paid too little notice and attention.  Complaints elsewhere about what a bad father he was drive me nuts. 

Great observations.  I thought I would search for a thread and message covering this first (getting smarter).  As well there is the scene after the argument with Alma who leaves for work.  Ennis is upset but he is able to control his anger long enough to enquire "Do you girls need a push?" delivered in the most caring fashion and then right back to kicking the trash can.  Great emotional switch.  Great acting by Heath.

Also after the divorce when Jack shows up (unplanned) when Ennis has his weekend with the girls he is very responsible and caring for the girls and keeps to his plan, albeit enforced by his homophobia (the white truck going by).  It may be cruel to Jack at the time but Ennis has a big heart and is the pragmatist of the two.  Ennis is willing to give up his wife Alma but not his daughters.

lowpro

[lacy8753]

You can see the love in his eyes for his girls.  But what he is also doing here is acting with in acting.  Ennis is sad but is acting no the 'sad daddy'.  It's very delicately done.

The best example of Ennis' fathering was when he has the girls for the weekend and Jack unexpectedly drives up. He puts his family before his lover.

[rod1960]

I don't think Jake is given enough credit in this film.  The scene that rips me up is the one where they are parting in the parking lot after coming down the mountain.  Jack is basically pleading, begging Ennis with his facial expressions. That little head bob and eyebrows lifting, pleading.  Ennis shoots the possibility down and they part.  God that look on Jakes face, a world of hurt in his eyes. Throughout this whole movie, you can just feel his pain, and it's all in the eyes.

[francis.shim]

I don't think Jake is given enough credit in this film.  The scene that rips me up is the one where they are parting in the parking lot after coming down the mountain.  Jack is basically pleading, begging Ennis with his facial expressions. That little head bob and eyebrows lifting, pleading.  Ennis shoots the possibility down and they part.  God that look on Jakes face, a world of hurt in his eyes. Throughout this whole movie, you can just feel his pain, and it's all in the eyes.

I agree... the black stetson coming down to hide his face... you can just imagine the devestating blow it must have had... it is like trying to hide his crying, but had to stoically keep his feelings locked up inside.  This "little thing" is another hint at the stereotype of "a man": don't show your feelings, "real men don't cry" and that kind of stuff... again all little parts of the rural homophobia so prevalent in the story.

Peace,
Frank

[cybernaut]

I wondered if he cried along with Ennis.... According to the book, Ennis broke down and came back up as if nothing has happened. But sigh...  :'(

[backtobrokeback]

Jake can do a lot with his eyes that others can't because they're so big and expressive.  Take for example the "dozy embrace" flashback - Ang Lee was smart to hold that long LONG pan on Jack's face as he watched Ennis ride off.  You can just FEEL the love he has for Ennis radiating out of him as he watches his love ride off, soon to return for the next meal.  The cut to a defeated, hurting Jack by the truck in present day is jarring - Jack's eyes are tighter, colder, harder.

-btb

[karind1]

what ennis does with his body posture and wording jack does with his facial expressions.  it was not until about the 20th or so time i watched it that i realized how fabulous jakes's acting was with his expressions.  he deserves every award he gets nominated for and wins.

[CherryCake]

what ennis does with his body posture and wording jack does with his facial expressions.  it was not until about the 20th or so time i watched it that i realized how fabulous jakes's acting was with his expressions.  he deserves every award he gets nominated for and wins.

OH, I AGREE, KARIN... the more I watch, the more I appreciate Jake's acting.. it kinda snuck up on me... I have never seen any of his work before, and now curious about his other movies.

[rikcub]

I don't think Jake is given enough credit in this film.  The scene that rips me up is the one where they are parting in the parking lot after coming down the mountain.  Jack is basically pleading, begging Ennis with his facial expressions. That little head bob and eyebrows lifting, pleading.  Ennis shoots the possibility down and they part.  God that look on Jakes face, a world of hurt in his eyes. Throughout this whole movie, you can just feel his pain, and it's all in the eyes.

I have to agree totally...Jake is VERY expressive with his eyes.  In that scene you can just see him saying "OK I am here for you...how about it?"   After five viewings I am reaizing just how subtle but powerful he was as Jack Twist. 

[jrfh50]

I don't think Jake is given enough credit in this film.  The scene that rips me up is the one where they are parting in the parking lot after coming down the mountain.  Jack is basically pleading, begging Ennis with his facial expressions. That little head bob and eyebrows lifting, pleading.  Ennis shoots the possibility down and they part.  God that look on Jakes face, a world of hurt in his eyes. Throughout this whole movie, you can just feel his pain, and it's all in the eyes.

I agree completely. I love Jack's face when Ennis hems and haws in the yard behind the house with the daughters in the truck after the divorce...The expectancy fighting with the growing dismay in his face when Jack says, still warmly and with hope "I guess thought this meant..." and it trails away....Like Ennis later saying "Jack, I swear..." So much unsaid and yet so much felt and dealt with ultimately alone. Jake is wonderful, open, full of desire and hope, reaching out to touch someone afraid of being touched. Beautiful

[*Froggy*]

So many good things, and the more I see BBM the more I "SEE"...it is amazing what Ang Lee did with the photography and Heath Jake Michelle and Anne's acting are perfect.

Jack's Mother is fantastic too...

[Rod]

The hats (and clothes) were very clearly studied for EACH the characters..I forget where I read that though!!! I think Proulx may have discussed the "cowboy code" in an interview..

Where I came from in east New Mexico back then, only "flashy" guys would wear white or black cowboy hats, most guys wore tan, brown, organic colors...except for Texans of course, they were flash.

[CherryCake]

...That little head bob and eyebrows lifting, pleading....

Oh, yes, Rod, those eyebrows should have gotten thier own Oscar Nomination. 

i love that..

[francis.shim]

Howdy.

There was something also with the hat/stetson that Ennis wears as time passes through the movie.  At the beginning, Ennis' hat is sharp and new, but as time progresses throughout the movie the hat he wears becomes softer and more rounded... it was if it indicated the "erosion of a man by bitter winds over the course of time".

Something about that visual progression really hits me.

Peace,
Frank (aka Jack Nasty)

[City Slickin' Cowboy]

There are a number of scene cuts like this which add brilliance and punch to this film.  I for one don't think it was accidental when they similarly cut from the grunt of Ennis & Alma's sex scene to the rodeo announcer saying "let her rip & snort, boys".   Not the most...ummm...genteel thing.  But I noticed it in every viewing and don't think it was happenstance.

Every time this scene transition occurred I had to keep myself from laughing in the theater.  I thought I was the only one who was somewhat amused.  It's not a subtle transition!

[CherryCake]

ooh, I noticed something new at my 6th viewing..  At the Thanks giving dinner with Alma and the girls, Ennis is helping to clear the table right before the big "Jack Nasty' scene... as he is clearing the table, Alma Jr gives Ennis a hug or just lovingly touches his neck right before she goes watch TV in the living room.  It's just quick thing that shows how close Ennis is with Alma Jr.  Did anyone else notice that?

[*Froggy*]

Did anyone else notice that?

nope...

[City Slickin' Cowboy]

I noticed.  Those girls adore Ennis.

[bnjmn3]

ooh, I noticed something new at my 6th viewing..  At the Thanks giving dinner with Alma and the girls, Ennis is helping to clear the table right before the big "Jack Nasty' scene... as he is clearing the table, Alma Jr gives Ennis a hug or just lovingly touches his neck right before she goes watch TV in the living room.  It's just quick thing that shows how close Ennis is with Alma Jr.  Did anyone else notice that?

They love their Daddy..I bet the girls insisted Mom invite him for dinner..

[dalemidex]

I think I've said it elsewhere, but I think Ennis' love for his girls is very much underrated.   They adore him and he doesn't give them any reason not to.

[n061857]

One of my favorite segues is the hand-carving Jack does at Thanksgiving to the electric knife at Ennis's "sad daddy" Thanksgiving; that table scene of Ennis's story for the girls is bracketed by the electric carving knife - a perfect symbol for the upwardly mobile 'condiment' salesman (and the 1970's).  And probably something it's good Alma didn't get her hands on.  :o

LOL That poor Alma. Bitter to the end.
When I see the scene when Ennis is telling of his riding days, I can see what a great actor he is.  Isn't he like only 26? That scene is so cute. You can see the love in his eyes for his girls.  But what he is also doing here is acting with in acting.  Ennis is sad but is acting no the 'sad daddy'.  It's very delicately done.

I know Anne says Ennis is sad in this scene, but I don't think he is in the movie at all.  Tome he should not be.  Although he is no longer living with his daughter and Alma (who I do believe he likes and cares about),  I think he is happy about his new found freedom.  He no longer has to feign a love, that he does not feel.  His lies are no longer blatant, just ones of omission.  I think this is illustrated by his humor at dinner with the story of his rodeo (?) days.  Instead of telling the story seriously and somehow making himself out to be a hero (as most men would do), he tells it comically undermining his own abilities.  This is the only time we see Ennis display any humor, outside of his time with Jack.  He even shows his good tidings by helping Alma clear the table - no hard feelings.  I think he is happy, until Alma ruins it all (not to say that I can blame her)                                                                                                     - Nancy

[CherryCake]

One of my favorite segues is the hand-carving Jack does at Thanksgiving to the electric knife at Ennis's "sad daddy" Thanksgiving; that table scene of Ennis's story for the girls is bracketed by the electric carving knife - a perfect symbol for the upwardly mobile 'condiment' salesman (and the 1970's).  And probably something it's good Alma didn't get her hands on.  :o

LOL That poor Alma. Bitter to the end.
When I see the scene when Ennis is telling of his riding days, I can see what a great actor he is.  Isn't he like only 26? That scene is so cute. You can see the love in his eyes for his girls.  But what he is also doing here is acting with in acting.  Ennis is sad but is acting no the 'sad daddy'.  It's very delicately done.

I know Anne says Ennis is sad in this scene, but I don't think he is in the movie at all.  Tome he should not be.  Although he is no longer living with his daughter and Alma (who I do believe he likes and cares about),  I think he is happy about his new found freedom.  He no longer has to feign a love, that he does not feel.  His lies are no longer blatant, just ones of omission.  I think this is illustrated by his humor at dinner with the story of his rodeo (?) days.  Instead of telling the story seriously and somehow making himself out to be a hero (as most men would do), he tells it comically undermining his own abilities.  This is the only time we see Ennis display any humor, outside of his time with Jack.  He even shows his good tidings by helping Alma clear the table - no hard feelings.  I think he is happy, until Alma ruins it all (not to say that I can blame her)                                                                                                     - Nancy

Well, Ennis loves his daughters.. that is true.  He loves them so much he made him self sit at the table with his ex-wife and new husband.  I am sure he was at the least, uncomfortable.  Still  I tend to go with Annie version about the acting.  If you notice Alma's faces while he is telling the story, she is not happy.  When Alma finally gets him alone in the kitchen, his violent reaction tells me he is not able to come clean with Alma, obviously.  He is in denial. He even threatens her harms.  He runs and doesnt say goodbye to the girls.  No. he was acting at the dinner table.  Not wanting to be the  'sad daddy' for the girls he loves.  He did what he could.

[bnjmn3]

I think Ennis was ok with the dinner (he dressed up, was communicative, and helped Alma clean up!!). But, when Alma---out of the blue---unleashes her held rage over Jack Nasty..it stunned Ennis (this could reveal me!!).

[n061857]

I think Ennis was ok with the dinner (he dressed up, was communicative, and helped Alma clean up!!). But, when Alma---out of the blue---unleashes her held rage over Jack Nasty..it stunned Ennis (this could reveal me!!).

I agree.  Alma is the one who doesn't look happy to say the least.  I think Ennis is fine with it.  I think he is probably happy Alma has found Monroe.  It eases his guilt.                                                          - Nancy

[Rønnaug]

"I wasn't no angel like you and jenny here"

Almas face just screams "NO YOU WERE NOT"

[dalemidex]

"I wasn't no angel like you and jenny here"

Almas face just screams "NO YOU WERE NOT"

ROTFLMAO!

For all the times I've seen that scene, it's never quite clicked that this is EXACTLY what she is saying with her face!  I just saw it as more of a general smile barely encasing detest for Ennis, and it seemed a little much.  But no, her face is reacting quite appropriately (from her perspective) to his last statement!  Yes!

[tpe]

The last words that we hear Heath Ledger say to Jake Gyllenhaal on-screen (during the flashback).

Got to go...see you in the morning.   

:'(