Molly, February 16th

As we progress further into the story, I have begun to notice the importance of the music in this movie. Although the music is usually for background purposes, I can't help but notice that the music, more than anything, pulls on my heart strings to the point where I find myself more connected with not only Jack and Ennis, but Brokeback itself. Another interesting choice that I noticed was the contrast between the first sexual encounter between the two, and the nights to follow. On the first night that Jack and Ennis make love, we are placed in a freezing night, so cold that we see Ennis' breath. However, as the nights progress, we are comforted by the warm fire that is shown, and the implication of what is going to happen inside of the tent. The image of the tent that always stays the same, quiet and still.

This strong image of the tent however, is quickly stripped away by the shot of Jack and Ennis' boss staring at them through binoculars, reminding us that they are not alone. This also quickly pulls the viewer out of a dream like trance, as we establish that there is more to this movie than a perfect love story.

The use of light was also a choice that was very effective. Not only were the grey, stormy settings appropriate at many times, but it also correlated to the mood of the events that were taking place.

At times it almost seemed like Ennis was trying to fight off his homosexuality. This is shown through his fight with Ennis where he punches Jack in the face. And also Ennis' sexual encounters with his wife are very aggressive. However, both Ennis and Jacks relationship with their wives do not seem faulty or love-less. The images of Ennis sledding with his wife, and Jack dancing with his seem not forced, so it makes the viewer question the sexuality of the two, while they are also doing the very same thing.

There have been many images of family echoed through out the last few scenes, specifically the scene that involved Ennis and his family at the firework showing. There were overflowing images of America and the "typical family" that consisted of a few young children, and happily married couples. It's interesting to see not the contrast, but the similarities between Ennis and these couples.

All in all, we see that Ennis is able to drop everything he has created, for an opportunity to go back to Brokeback.