Amanda: Character Development and Subtext

Character Development and Subtext:
Even though Brokeback Mountain is a long movie, there is barely any speaking, it's all about facial expressions and body language, particularly surrounding Jack and Ennis' relationship. Even though its mostly between them (because the story revolves around them), the people around them communicate through body language and facial expressions (more so than words) and Lee accentuates this through close ups and constant switching back and forth within "conversations". For example, when Jack comes back to ask Mr. Aguire for work, and he just says something along the lines of, "You and gives Jack a look, and Jack understands. Similarly with how Anne Hathaway and Jake's interaction in the bar.

Jake Gyllenhaal is clearly the more developed version of Jack Twist. In the scenes we watched in class today I noticed Jake decided to maintain that gentleness described in the short story but took it to the next level. Because of the freedom of time in films, Lee decided to take advantage of that to show more of Jack's life away from Ennis. And from these scenes the audience was able to analyze both Ennis and Jack and how they are dealing with the real world. The part when I started to think about Jack differently was after he was so brave and kissed Ennis, when he was the one holding Ennis and comforting him. This surprised me, because from the short story I always imagined Jack to be the less masculine one, but Lee makes it seem less like masculinity and more like ability to embrace their forbidden passion or allow themselves to be in love. Also when Jack and Ennis part, Lee chose to show Ennis hysterically crying hidden from everyone, meanwhile, one of the next scenes is Jack buying another guy a drink at the bar, unsure of himself.

Ennis meanwhile, is also perceived differently, and makes his subtext very clear. Through his facial expressions we can see how torn he is between what's right and what isn't. Also his interactions with his children are portrayed much differently in the film than in the story, he seems to be more of a happy father in the movie. Also because of the camera shot, and the enclosed spaces like the place where he cries and the tent, Lee really guides us through Ennis's self discovery or how he is dealing with the problems he faces in his life. I also think the costume choices stand out, specifically with the cowboy hats, but I also thought it was interesting that Ennis was wearing like long, printed jammies because I never expected his character to do that. I think it's also interesting to watch his relationship with Alma (/Michele Williams, Heath Ledger's real wife) and how he is looking for Jack through her, like through sex or through talking.

Focusing:
Camera Focus:
What ties into that is Lee's decisions of when and what to focus on. For example, in the beginning of the movie, we see Ennis naked in the background, but its hazy because the focus is on Jack, fully clothed. While after they have sex, Jack is now completely naked next to the screen, is in the center of the shot and completely focused. Similarly, in the first scene when Jack is shaving he is looking in the mirror of his car but we're not sure why Ennis is in focus, but then in one of the scenes we watched today, as Jack is driving away, again Ennis is focused in the mirror. Lee enjoys doing a lot of foreshadowing with focusing, and little moments, that not the entire audience would pick up. Another camera focusing thing which I thought was interesting, was when Jack and Ennis were play fighting and then they kiss, Ennis takes off his hat and covers their faces. I don't know what that symbolizes but it is also in the center of the shot, and was clearly in focus.

Scene Change:
What I noticed today that was interesting was Lee always cuts off in the middle of the sex scenes, and then takes us to the next day or the next week, or even the next nine months in Jack's case. But I thought it was interesting that the only sex scene that ended was the first one, and then each one is cut off. That might be because there are only specific moments we need to be aware of like Ennis turning Alma over, or Jack getting together with his wife.