Well! For once, a film that: a) lives up to the hype, and b) is not only as good as the short story on which it is based, but enhances it. So, go see it. That is all.
Should I try to get past the "We're not gay!" "It's just like kissing a person!" shite and go see it?
Remember when and where this is set. It begins in the American West in 1963; Jack and Ennis are 19-years-old. They were raised a certain way with certain expectations, and they quite literally have no idea what to do about how they feel for each other. So the film and story deal with the tension between those feelings and the world they live in, and the tension around how each of them wants (or is able) to deal with the situation in which they find themselves. It's very well done.
But there is one thing I need to warn you about. There's gay-bashing in it, with one, maybe two, deaths as a result (it's not clear whether one death is an accident or murder - Proulx leaves that ambiguous). It's not real graphic, ands it's just a couple of minutes in the whole movie, but, for you, that may be tough. If you think you can handle that, though, I really do recommend it.
Besides, the scenery is gorgeous. And there are nice shots of the mountains, too. ;-))
What is your opinion on one of the film's related controversies - namely that in the book Jack and Ennis are more plainly depicted, far from Hollywood hunks they are in the film.
Some folks are upset that this panders to a stereotype. Others, that it was necessary to get the film seen. Others yet, that it is irrelevant - it is a film about troubled relationships not appearances.
I don't think it matters. Their looks aren't relevant to the story.
In any case, while the actors weren't made up to have some of the minor physical quirks described in the story, neither of them is particularly a knock-out beauty. And they did age them nicely, a bit of weight on Jack, Ennis' hair thinning a tad.
Y'know, I think I was more drawn to pretty boys when I was younger. But at my age, I like a guy who looks lived-in, if you know what I mean. Not that I can't appreciate a cutie, though!
Thanks for the warning - I think I'll pass. I was so disgusted with the way the actors spoke; coupled with the gay bashing scenes, I think I'd rather not. :(
Unfortunately, The New Yorker has taken the text off its website. But you can find the story in Annie Proulx' short story collection, Close Range: Wyoming Stories
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-04-08 11:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-08 11:34 pm (UTC)Remember when and where this is set. It begins in the American West in 1963; Jack and Ennis are 19-years-old. They were raised a certain way with certain expectations, and they quite literally have no idea what to do about how they feel for each other. So the film and story deal with the tension between those feelings and the world they live in, and the tension around how each of them wants (or is able) to deal with the situation in which they find themselves. It's very well done.
But there is one thing I need to warn you about. There's gay-bashing in it, with one, maybe two, deaths as a result (it's not clear whether one death is an accident or murder - Proulx leaves that ambiguous). It's not real graphic, ands it's just a couple of minutes in the whole movie, but, for you, that may be tough. If you think you can handle that, though, I really do recommend it.
Besides, the scenery is gorgeous. And there are nice shots of the mountains, too. ;-))
ROFL:Besides, the scenery is gorgeous. And there are nice shots of the mountains, too. ;-))
Date: 2006-04-08 11:48 pm (UTC)Some folks are upset that this panders to a stereotype. Others, that it was necessary to get the film seen. Others yet, that it is irrelevant - it is a film about troubled relationships not appearances.
What thinkest thou ?
Re: ROFL:Besides, the scenery is gorgeous. And there are nice shots of the mountains, too. ;-))
Date: 2006-04-09 02:48 am (UTC)In any case, while the actors weren't made up to have some of the minor physical quirks described in the story, neither of them is particularly a knock-out beauty. And they did age them nicely, a bit of weight on Jack, Ennis' hair thinning a tad.
neither of them is particularly a knock-out beauty
Date: 2006-04-09 04:08 am (UTC)I might agree with you on Heath but how could you dismiss that angelic Jake ?
Re: neither of them is particularly a knock-out beauty
Date: 2006-04-09 04:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-09 12:08 pm (UTC)Yes, it was a great movie
Date: 2006-04-09 04:55 am (UTC)Re: Yes, it was a great movie
Date: 2006-04-09 04:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-04-09 05:54 pm (UTC)