...{I]t still took several viewings of the film for me to see the slow subtle build-up that is actually there in their early scenes on the mountain. Ennis slowly loosening up, the two of them forming a largely wordless connection, the kindling affection hidden behind bean meal gripes and related activities to get hold of other food.... I am impressed with Ang Lee and the actors both that they managed - and dared - make it that subtle. It must have been a gamble.
Maeglian, I thought they did a good job establishing that, too. As they were around each other more and more, they seemed to establish a real camaraderie. In fact, that seemed as important as the sex (which was obviously very important to both of them). They just seemed able to be themselves around each other. They could really relax and let down their guards in each other's company -- a turn of events that simply wouldn't have happened had they not been essentially stranded together, up on Brokeback. Ennis loosened up the most obviously, visibly relaxing, stretching out, and actually enjoying Jack's wacky sort of company.
But, Jack, too, relaxed in Ennis's company. He seemed finally to have an audience, an appreciative, open ear, not telling him to shut up or stop fooling around. When I think of Jack doing his silly bull-riding impression, or blatting out "Waterwalking Jesus" at the top of his lungs to Ennis and the coyotes, and think of his bleak, oppressed growing-up (symbolized by the barrenness of his childhood room - left "just like it was," his lovely mother said - yikes!), it just makes me so happy that he finally found someone to be himself around. I don't mean just sexually, not even mostly sexually -- but "himself," all of himself. It gave him so much real satisfaction, making Ennis crack a smile or say three words in a row. His dad and his peers probably told him to stuff it, when he tried to be funny and get some positive response that way. Ennis really seemed to provide that "mirroring", giving Jack back to himself in a positive way, something it is said every person needs to thrive.
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Re: My two (or more like, fifty) cents worth
Date: 2006-02-07 03:30 pm (UTC)Maeglian, I thought they did a good job establishing that, too. As they were around each other more and more, they seemed to establish a real camaraderie. In fact, that seemed as important as the sex (which was obviously very important to both of them). They just seemed able to be themselves around each other. They could really relax and let down their guards in each other's company -- a turn of events that simply wouldn't have happened had they not been essentially stranded together, up on Brokeback. Ennis loosened up the most obviously, visibly relaxing, stretching out, and actually enjoying Jack's wacky sort of company.
But, Jack, too, relaxed in Ennis's company. He seemed finally to have an audience, an appreciative, open ear, not telling him to shut up or stop fooling around. When I think of Jack doing his silly bull-riding impression, or blatting out "Waterwalking Jesus" at the top of his lungs to Ennis and the coyotes, and think of his bleak, oppressed growing-up (symbolized by the barrenness of his childhood room - left "just like it was," his lovely mother said - yikes!), it just makes me so happy that he finally found someone to be himself around. I don't mean just sexually, not even mostly sexually -- but "himself," all of himself. It gave him so much real satisfaction, making Ennis crack a smile or say three words in a row. His dad and his peers probably told him to stuff it, when he tried to be funny and get some positive response that way. Ennis really seemed to provide that "mirroring", giving Jack back to himself in a positive way, something it is said every person needs to thrive.