Brokeback Time

I'm not sure why exactly, but I find myself wrestling with the idea of Brokeback quite often. I am intrigued by what Brokeback is to others, and how it manages to find stability over the years, while still feeling as though Jack and Ennis are walking on untouched land. The subtle idea of age in Brokeback is one that I think is hidden through out the film. There is a scene where we see Jack asking his wife about a tutor for his son, Bobby. We also observe Ennis' two daughters growing up as we find them battling their own hardships about their father, such as when Ennis meets the waitress. It is one of the only times that we see a reaction to Ennis, not involving his sexuality.

The idea of time also relates back to the comforting feel that Lee manages to integrate throughout Brokeback. Whenever someone is watching a movie, they enjoy when they are able to recognize things. In Brokeback I find that the specific images that Lee subtly regurgitates are a way to make the reader feel connected to Jack and Ennis, their love story. During one of the first trips back to Brokeback, Ennis mentions Jacks harmonica, and how the "army didn't get him". It's moments like these that allow the viewer to feel as though we have been a part of their love story, almost as if it is a relief to us to be placed back on Brokeback mountain, almost feeling like an outsider during scenes that do not involve the mountain. Lee does a nice job of allowing us to feel like we know more than others, while also making us feel like an outsider; this accurately represents Jack and Ennis' exact feelings.

Lee does a nice job with the camera angles during Jack and Ennis' conversations about their future. During the first night of their reunion in their hotel, they are placed laying next to each other but do not make eye contact while talking about their future. Similarly, during the scene where Jack is screaming about Mexico he is facing the water and we see Ennis' face in the background as they are fighting.

During many of the scenes we see the contrast between Brokeback Jack and Ennis' other homes. Specifically when Jack is in Mexico and walks into complete darkness with another man, Lee cuts to a clear, open, shot of Brokeback. It also contrasts how Jack is in the darkness with this stranger, secretively hiding what he is doing, but in Brokeback with Ennis, Jack has no problem jumping off of cliffs naked.

We are also taken back to Brokeback when we see the image of Jack and Ennis spooning on one of their getaways to Brokeback. Immediately, I flash backed to the first image where that one subtle hand that draped over Jack began their story. On Brokeback, Jack also shaved his mustache and was back to his flannel shirts, which is not at all how he dresses at home in his leather jackets extreme facial hair.

Brokeback "got us" just as good as it got Jack and Ennis