This is what EW say, although how on earth they managed to settle on just one kleenex moment is beyond me: 'Ang Lee's awe-inspiring Western masterpiece follows Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger), a tight-mouthed tough guy who falls in love with his fellow cowpoke Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) but is unable — or, rather, unwilling — to take the relationship past the occasional tryst. Two years since its release, there's no denying that the whole hoopla over Brokeback and its frank sexuality overshadowed a poignant part of its narrative being: proof that cowboys most certainly do cry... KLEENEX MOMENT His lifelong love dead, crestfallen Ennis clings for dear life to Jack's tattered old shirt.'
Clearly, Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger were wise to take on these roles but we do have the benefit of hindsight here. Brokeback Mountain was a relatively low budget project, it was not expected to enjoy the box office success it had. It's difficult to appreciate now that this film involved two young men, at the beginning of their Hollywood careers, who took a chance.
Shortly after the film Jake was asked if his 'people', agent Kim Hodgert and manager Evelyn O'Neill, had supported him in his decision to take on the role of Jack Twist: "Are you kidding?... They told me I'd be crazy not to do it." Hodgert agreed that "there was never any controversy. I didn't have to fight him on it. We just said, 'We want it, and Jake wants it.'" When Ang had finally took on the role of directing Brokeback, Kim immediately called Ang's agent "and said 'What about Jake?' Ang liked Jake, and Jake didn't hesitate. We were all totally excited about it." The pictures here are of Jake with Evelyn this year, in Cannes and at LAX.
But "We did have to put up with a fair share of ribbing -- some good-natured teasing, nothing mean-spirited. But all of us wanted this movie... Any movie is a risk if it's not handled properly. But this one -- so beautifully written, with a great director -- this, we felt, was not a risk."
This is in stark contrast to the reaction of another well-known actor on being approached about Brokeback Mountain. Admitting that he hasn't even seen the film despite the fact that his mother and gay make-up artist both adore it), Mark Wahlberg had this to say: "You know, I met with Ang Lee on that movie... I read 15 pages of the script and got a little creeped out. It was very graphic, descriptive — the spitting on the hand, gettin' ready to do the thing... At one point they were talking about Joaquin [Phoenix] being in the film. Joaquin, I know, and [we] like each other a lot. I think of him like a brother. You know, I've kissed my brother before, not like that, not passionate, you know. So, it was like, uh, I was kind of freaked out. But I told Ang, 'I like you, you're a talented guy, if you want to talk about it more... ' But, uh, [chuckles] thankfully, he didn't, uh, he didn't call me again." I feel pretty thankful about that myself.
Off topic weepie moment
I can't leave this list of top tearjerkers without having a look at what else is on it. I have to admit to a real weakness for weepies. The film can be terrible, it doesn't matter. So here are other films in the top 25 that I'm going to own up to bawling at - I am physically unable to watch these films without Dairy Milk: Goodbye Mr Chips, Steel Magnolias (I defy anyone to watch that with a dry eye, Sally Field - love her), Titanic (I own up - another poor old Jack), ET and the number 2 on the list - Bambi. I will never forgive my parents for making me watch that as a small infant...
Thanks to WDW friends for links to the Wahlberg and Hodgert interviews. Much appreciated. Includes pictures from IHJ.
44 comments:
And the rest is history! I am so, so, SO glad that Jake took the role of Jack, and without any hesitation it seems. I can't see anyone else as Jack anyway. I know he's not the only actor to take on these types of roles, James Ivory's Maurice is another fantastic one, but to me Brokeback was groundbreaking because it's more of a mainstream film about two real men in love, and not as comic relief either (I hate that!). Because of Jake's bravery and others like him who are non-judgemental and take on a roles simply because they are great parts, I hope other actors will have less trepidation about taking them on as well.
Thanks for this, WDW! To me Ennis and Jack's relationship, physical and otherwise, is one of the most beautiful onscreen relationships I have seen.
As far as crying at movies, it doesn't take much for me. I've cried at some of those you mention plus many others! I love getting into a good movie like that. Interestingly, I was so stunned and affected by Brokeback I couldn't cry. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and didn't cry until later. I cry everytime I see it now, I always have a tissue at the ready for the dozy embrace scene. Those first lonesome guitar chords as Ennis gets off the truck give me a twinge. :')
Hi WDW..very nice post..your usual great, insightful offering. I agree there were more hanky moments than the one presented by EW. Jake has never shied away from saying how much he wanted to play this part..although, I believe he said he read the part at young age..and rejected it. We are so fortunate he decided to embrace the role with all his talents. I must admit..I too am a sucker for a weepy movie....I would like to personally thank Mr. Wahlberg for not taking the part...Thanks again for a great post. Michele
I wonder if there will ever be a day when I can watch BBM dispassionately and not shed a few? I'm even worse with the short story though. I'm more likely to cry at a book than a movie, now I come to think of it.
I'm sure Ang was very flattered when MW told him he was 'a talented guy'! *rolls eyes*.
Titanic, WDW? Really?? *rolls eyes again* :D
Hi Marina - Maurice!! I loved Maurice. This came out when I was a student (of literature and classics) in London and I went to see it over and over. It was probably my closest experience to BBM later on but without the love for the actors! Although I met James Wilby and Rupert Graves (kissed by both!) and saw them on stage. I remember seeing Graves in Tis Pity She's a Whore and it was incredible! Thanks so much for bringing these happy memories back :D
I love to chat about crying at movies - I want to hear about the movies that set everyone else off. When I watch BBM now, just knowing the doze embrace scene is coming will make me cry. And yes, that gitar at the beginning. And Rufus singing over the closing credits. Beautiful moments.
Thanks Michele - I'm definitely with you on thanking Mark Wahlberg :D I can't imagine giving my heart to him (even though I have a weakness for The Perfect Storm as I love rough seas - shush, don't tell anyone).
Hey Ruby! Yep, Titanic - I'm not proud. I'll own up to it. I cried and cried when I saw this in the pictures (mind you I also shed a tear in Transformers....).
I cry when I read books too. Since BBM (and fanfic ;D ) I rarely get the chance to read a book, but whe I do I love an emotional read. I have been known to sit and cry on the tube as I read.
I'm sure Ang was very flattered when MW told him he was 'a talented guy'! *rolls eyes*. - :)
WDW, I'm so glad I brought back happy memories for you. I loved Maurice, I was only aware of how Maurice and Alec felt for each other, not their gender, (although that's certainly beautiful too) and how Hugh Grant's character looked so lost for not following his heart. Lucky you for getting to kiss James Willby and Rupert Graves! :)
Let me clarify what I said in my earlier post - I didn't like the way it sounded after I hit the send button! By Ennis and Jack being real men, and I should have put "real" in quotation marks, I meant based on the short story, two ordinary, everyday men, not a stereotype of a same sex couple. In fact, it shook up the stereotype of the Marlboro man and asked just what does make a real man.
Maurice and Alec, and others in movies about gay and bisexual men, are real men too. All types of men can love other men. Maurice and Alec's relationship had the addition of transcending class boundaries as well as gender.
But, Heath and Jake are hardily ordinary tho! Just didn't want to offend anyone without meaning to. Thanks. :)
Hi Marina - floppy haired Hugh Grant climbing drainpipes...
I know exactly what you mean by the 'real' men statement. These were working men, sheepherders, cowboys, what you will. Certainly not the stereotype homosexual. I doubt anyone would have felt more out of place in 1960s' San Francisco than Ennis and Jack.
That is definitely one of the points of BBM - a love that transcends stereotypes - including the stereotypes of the western genre. 'Maurice' showed that class structures were far more unbending in early 20th-century England than sexual mores. The upper classes could generally sleep with whomever they wished - far harder for the Alecs of this world.
How many parents are held responsible for Bambi? Even as a child, I knew the Disney folks had gone too far.
I cry whenever Paul Henreid stands up and leads the crowd in singing La Marseillaise in Casablanca.
The death of Donnie Darko.
During the 7 times I watched BBMt in the Multiplex, many women (we were mostly women at the early show) left before Jack's death. Took me a while to be able to "stand it"
Didn't Hugh Grant have the best floppy hair? :)
Some movies that really made me cry, not just a few sniffles at the theater, and these are not romances:
Platoon - cried for a week, swear to God, every time I thought of Willem Dafoe's character.
Schindler's List - would make a grown man cry, and not a dry eye in the house at the theater I went to, including men.
The Ginger Tree
The Last Samurai - beautiful, unique old ways and customs replaced by the modern and generic
Disney's animated Pocahontas - beautiful, simple message about not exploiting and preserving the environment, or why can't we all think more like children do? :)
There are so many more that I can't think of! :)
Hi Pia - I was rung dry by Disney when I was a child - poor Sleeping Beauty... :(
I always cry during the jukebox dancing scene in Moonlight Mile - such a beautiful scene.
After seeing BBM the first time I cried and cried. The second time I knew it was coming and I think that made it even worse. Since, I've only seen the end once, when I watched it with my mum and we were both in floods.
Marina - I cried so much with Schindler's list. What a truly great film. Spielberg can do that to me with his films - ET is too painful for me to watch and I cried at the end of Close Encounters! I remember seeing it as a young child and wishing I could go with them on the spaceship - I always dreamt of being an astronaut.
I enjoyed Last Samurai, I wasn't expected to and I did.
I had a real wallowing moment at the end of Stepmom with poor old Susan Sarandon.
Errr, I even cried at the end of Alexander and Troy....
G'night everyone - should Twisted Logic pop by - Have a great holiday! :D*
Great post WDW! Nice to see Brokeback getting some more recognition.Of course imo it should have been number one! I'm not really the type to cry over films- or anything for that matter, but I have cried over Brokeback. I was like Marina, the first time I watched it, I didn't cry, even though I felt like I really wanted to, but I was just so stunned I felt kinda numb...I couldn't even move, I just sat there dumbly looking at the screen and listening to the music and just basically trying to get my head around it all. It was only the next that I cried remembering it. Now I cry sometimes when I watch it, it depends what sort of mood I'm in. But the two scenes that make me cry the most are the Dozy Embrace and the scene EW picked. But whether I physically cry or not, it always tears me apart when I watch it,so much so that sometimes I wish I COULD cry more easily cos at least it would help me get it out of my system.
Btw, I'm a big fan of Maurice too:)
Sorry I missed you WDW:( Thanks for the good wishes, and speak to you soon!
Hey Twisted Logic - glad I caught you! I hope you have a wonderful holiday :D
You like Maurice too? Somehow I'm not surprised ;D I lent my DVD to someone a couple of years ago and never got it back, sigh.
Some of us show the emotion on the outside and some of us don't but it's all the same, especially when it comes to Brokeback. Oops, definitely sounding like a tired lunatic so time for bed (before another 15 hour day, sigh). Speak to you soon :D
Hey WDW! You don't sound like a "tired lunatic" at all. What you said just reminded me of a bit in Jarhead(the book), where one of the guys strts crying and the staff sargeant starts having a go at him. Then one of the other guys tells the staff sargeant to leave him alone cos he wishes he could cry too but he can't,and he says it amounts to the same thing.
speaking of Jarhead I'm off for one last fix now. I don't know how I'll cope without it while I'm gone, but I've got the Steamed pic to keep me company;)
Speak to you all soon!xx
Have a great holiday, TwistedLogic and g'night WDW! :)
I went bcz of Heath.But the impact of Jake's incredible, heartbreaking performance snuck up and wound a fist around my heart. Tears flowed from "See ya around?" to being a sobbing wreck by the time Ennis met Jack's parents in that tomb-like, bleak little house.I stop watching it now, after the scene at the campfire. Ennis offers up a prayer of thanks and ends with "If you can't fix it, you gotta stand it!"
Other favorites: Certainly Schindler's List as well as most already mentioned. WDW!I LOVE Rupert Graves!!! How cool that you actually met him and got a kiss. I would like to add a Rupert Graves film called, Dreaming of Joseph Lees, with Samantha Morton, and Terms of Endearment with Shirley Maclaine. Philadelphia, with Tom Hanks. One True Thing, with Meryl Streep and Rene Zellweger, and StepMom with Susan Sarandon and Julia Roberts. Every single one of these is guaranteed to make you a sobbing mess.
I always cry watching Glory, with Denzel and Morgan Freeman. And Mystic River.Hell.I cried when King Kong got killed...twice. Once with Jessica Lange and now,Naomi Watts. I'm very bad...or should I say good, about crying. When my kids were little they'd ask "Is this going to be "a crying movie?" LOL! Mr. Disney got me off to a good start, but with Dumbo, before I ever saw Bambi! And tell me who didn't cry when Ol' Yeller died?
Thanks again, WDW, for bringing us more Brokeback. There is always something new to appreciate about it.
Major Confession Time. I can't believe I am going to admit this, but I have NEVER shed one tear over this film. As others have said, my first time I was simply too stunned to know how I felt other than knowing I had just witnessed something extraordinary.
But I knew that was how it would be the moment the title appeared and the truck entered the screen accompanied by the first twang of that lonesome guitar. I don't know what bubble I had been living in but I had never heard of Annie's short story and didn't start hearing anything about the film until four months before it was released. So I had no idea my life was going to be transformed and a few shallow beliefs I had held were about to be kicked to the curb.
I have been an admirer of Larry McMurtry's fiction such as Hud, The Last Picture Show and Lonesome Dove. The first glimpse of Ennis jumping down from the truck and shrugging into that jacket made me feel that without a doubt this was going to be special. I was immediately drawn to Ennis and ready to see this performance of a lifetime by Heath Ledger.
That is why I went to the film - and a bit of curiosity. Heath did not disappoint. I had not given Jake Gyllenhaal much thought since I had seen him in The Day After Tomorrow. I still had this image of him as a cute but somewhat geeky boy! As soon as he stepped out of that old GMC truck, that rememberance bit the dust!
There was so much to take in that first time. The quiet, powerful performance of Heath. The revelation Of Jake. The awesome beauty of the mountain. The heartbreaking music. And a love story like no other. I sat in my seat until the very last credit rolled and then I numbly made my way to the car. I was by myself so I had no one to talk to. I felt heavy and my heart was tight in my chest. BUT I NEVER CRIED.
Ten more viewings in the cinema - each experience more gut wrenching than the one before. At least 50 full viewings of the DVD and hundreds of times just watching select scenes afraid to blink for fear I will miss something. I watched it last night. Same intense feeling for me. Still no tears.
I don't know why. But I do know that I do not anticipate this feeling ever coming along again. As much as I look forward to Rendition and loved Zodiac, Brokeback owns my heart!
In contrast, two films with very little life altering meaning never fail to make me cry buckets of tears no matter how many times I watch them: Imitation of Life with Lana Turner and The Bridges of Madison County with Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.
Morning everyone! Flying visit as I'm not really here ;D
I love all this talk of weepy films. I don't think I'm happy unless I've had a good sob at the movies. And nothing makes me blubber like Brokeback, especially now I feel the emotion behind every scene.
So I'm with you Bobbyanna. Hey, you like Rupert Graves too :D Glad to hear it. Yes, Stepmom sets me off - oh and definitely Dumbo! That should be R-Rated for what it can do to you. There was also a Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve that set me off about time travel - can't remember what it was called...
Dani - thanks so much for that wonderful comment - I suppose sometimes this strong emotion hits us in different ways. With me it just all pours through me and leaves me wrung out but others hold it in. It's all the same feeling though. Your description of seeing the film is just beautiful :) Bridges of Madison County set me off too :D
Have a good day everyone :-)
Just have to add - that first time that you properly encounter Jake Gyllenhaal at the movies - as you so beautifully describe it Dani - that's a precious moment of emotion :D
Thanks for the comments, WDW. That first moment beoming aware of Jake is indeed precious.
And the Christopher Reeve/ Jane Seymour movie I believe you are talking about is Somewhere In Time. I love that one also. It reminds me of a story I just read...
Another heartbreaking film for me of a love that was never fullfilled is Remains Of The Day with Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson AND Christopher Reeve. I do miss Chris being in this world. Before his accident he was an example of someone who was successful with big franchise movies - Superman, of course - but had no problem seeking out less commercial endeavors.
THAT'S. IT. WDW we're officially no longer on speakers if you kissed James Wilby and Rupert Graves :):)
Did you see them in "Clapham Junction" on tv recently, reprising the relationship, (kind of)? It was an interesting play but I hope Jake and Heath never do that. I so want BBM to be enshrined.
Anyhow, "Goodbye Mr Chips" is right up there with the weepies - I'll have to look at the whole list now.
As you know I weep rarely, but I suppose being thrown into a four-month long emotional miasma after seeing BBM, which coincided nicely with the English winter, amounts to the same thing.
Hey everyone - I'm late to the tear-jerker party. Had a small fall on the street yesterday and was nursing a messy knee wound.. nothing worse thankfully. I'm delighted at how everyone loves Maurice. Now that my Region code problem is solved I'm going to see it straightaway. I'll let you all know.
"I will never forgive my parents for making me watch that as a small infant..." WDW this is so touching it made me cry.
As for hankies, I would always let my BBM tears flow. I've never tried to wipe them. I cried so much during my multiple viewings of trailers, clips, LOGO video and the short story that I was relatively composed when I finally saw the film - that is till the postcard scene. I cried non-stop for half an hour thereafter, holding my mom. When I finally stopped I asked her if she hadn't felt the urge to cry and she gave a rather cryptic answer about not being at that stage of life. It took me till much later to understand that it had hit her in a much deeper place. I realized how deep was her identification with Mrs Twist. Dani thank you for your words --- I think you provided the missing link in my understanding of Mom's reaction. I recall a line from Wordsworth "Thoughts that do lie too deep for tears"
Beautiful posts everyone. Jake mentioned in an interview how Running On Empty makes him cry - it makes me cry too. Yes I'm definitely one of the weepy folks at the movies.
TwistedLogic I've missed you and you'd have left already. Happy Hols!
WDW, you'll have to stop this Titanic thing too - have you seen "A Night to Remember"?
Oops, I forgot we aren't on speakers :):)
Dani, wanted to WORD you about how good Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson were in Remains of the Day; incredible chemistry.
Wonderful post and comments again, WDW et al. Dani, you captured BBM and its lingering impact to a T!
I sometimes have difficulty crying in real life, but books and movies make up for that it seems -- a great release. Yet, I, too, was so overwhelmed by BBM the tears were far too deep within me to make their way to the surface the first few months of repeatedly seeing the film. But now Santaolalla's music alone will set me off.
As a teenager long ago the first film to affect me deeply was Splendor in the Grass with Natalie Wood and Warren Beatty (his film debut). I cried myself silly! I still love it.
Somewhere in Time is also a long-time fave and I have included the beautiful theme in my "sad music" playlist in iTunes. Yes, there are times when only melancholy music with special meaning must fill the air -- a great stress reliever.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love this place and everyone here?
By the way, that 'sad music playlist" also includes BBM; Road to Perdition; Schindler's List; Mad World and Did You Know Him? from Donnie Darko; and Barber's Adagio for Strings, used in Platoon. Lots of music from the movies.
Ok, confession. The movie that I sobbed pretty much the whole way through, was Truly, Madly, Deeply. I have never watched it again and it didn't stay with me the way BBM did, but I bawled my eyes out.
Possibly, it was the wrong time in my life to be watching it.
Dumbo and It's a Wonderful Life tend to have me blinking very rapidly too!!
The World According to Garp by John Irving (the book not the movie), always makes me cry in the same place everytime.
The 2nd time I watched BBM was the worst. I didn't cry on that occasion, but I have rarely felt so wretched. It was almost physically painful.
Beckela, you are one of the people that make this place so great.
Thanks Dani - Somewhere in Time - that's it. How I love that film and the music. I must get hold of it. Remains of the Day is such a good film and done of my favourite books. I used to like Christopher Reeve very much - Sleuth (with Olivier) is another of my all-time favourites.
Hey Anouska the Movie Buff - next time I see Rupert I'll try and remember to give him a kiss for you too ;D I did see Clapham Junction - it was strange seeing the two of them together again and, as you say, these reunions aren't always a good idea. A good play though, it troubled my dreams that night.
And yes, I love Night to Remember! I was a big fan of Kennth Connor when I was a kid (although that was a lot later than when the films were made I hasten to add ;D before you say anything Anouska the Cheeky Monkey ). I think I have a weakness for big dramatic disaster movies - hence my liking for TDAT - oh yes, I also liked that because of a certain actor in it.
Hope your knee heals soon Incognita *) I have to say I'm glad I saw BBM on my own as that way I could give in to it more. I wasn't that keen on sharing my feelings about BBM for quite some time. Months, really. I do love how our experiences are so similar and individual at the same time :D
Beckela - what a lovely thing to say! This place is made what it is by everyone - posters and readers alike. As Ruby says, you are one of those people so *) to you!
So you like Somewhere in Time too? I have a soppy play list too and that has the Platoon music on it and quite a bit of the Donnie darko and Moonlight Mile soundtracks. I also have a separate BBM playlist which has all the music in its various versions and other songs that remind me of it.
Hey Ruby - I'd forgotten Truly Madly Deeply - oh I really loved that and I cried an ocean of tears for that one. Although I did find Juliet Stephenson (is that her name?) a tad annoying...
I agree that the second time seeing BBM was harder than the first.
Back to work :(
I had to run to IMDb to find out whether Kenneth Connor ("Carry On Nurse") had been in "A Night To Remember" :)
Maybe you meant Kenneth More, WDW? :):)
Anouska the cheeky monkey who would have to be right wouldn't she - splutter, splutter. Err yes :D Although I'm sure Connor would have done a fine job... ;D
I agree with you all about the power of soundtracks to affect. Now, all I have to do, like all of you, is to just listen to the BBM soundtrack and I'm brought to tears as I remember the scenes, especially Brokeback Mountain 3 (dozy embrace scene). "Adagio for Strings" from Platoon always gets me bawling, it just builds and builds to a crescendo of sadness and grief. And the score from "The Piano" by Jane Campion - just haunting, and many, many more. We know how great Zodiac's soundtrack is too! :)
Marina: "Adagio for Strings" from Platoon always gets me bawling, it just builds and builds to a crescendo of sadness and grief.
I can't attend any concert that has that piece on the program -- I embarrass myself and everyone around me with my sobs! Same with Pavane Pour un Enfant Morte.
Adagio for Strings always gets me as well. It might be the saddest music of all time.
LOL, WDW, I'm sure he would :) I could have seen Hattie Jacques in the Poseidon Adventure too :)
Incognita, you said I provided the missing link in understanding your mother's reaction to BBM. Well, thank you for that lovely quote: "Thoughts that do lie too deep for tears." That's what is for me. I really couldn't explain it or understand why there have never been tears for me considering I get emotional over rescue stories on the news or people overcoming great obstacles.
And of course there are many more movies that set me off besides the ones I mentioned earlier. Beckela, Splendor In The Grass is another one for me. But my response to BBM is still the same. No tears. But the first six months that owned the DVD, I watched it nearly everyday and felt like Ruby:"I have rarely felt so wretched. It was almost physically painful." That's it. Why I put myself through that for months on end I have no clue. People have talked about the right or wrong times in life making a difference as to how we react to movies or even music. Watching BBM was an emotional need and I didn't feel my day was complete if I didn't watch it. At first it was all of it everyday. Then I gradually weaned myself down to some of it. But it still happened every day for a long time. I still have the need for it but I haven't watched the entire film for several months and I can even now go a week or two without looking at ANY of it. But it is never far from my thoughts.
I get emotional about music, too and have a selection of heartbreaking songs that sometimes only they will help me fill a void. I agree with the soundtracks that have been mentioned being simply beautiful. But I have one favorite all time song that brings tears to my eyes when I have the time to just listen to it without distractions - preferably with my eyes closed - The Long And Winding Road. My current sad song that I find very moving for some reason and I have played it to death is Going To A Town on Rufus Wainwright's CD. The arraingement is so haunting. There is one phrase that I found very profound and thought provoking: "Tell me, do you realy think you go to hell for having loved..." It definitely makes me stop and think.
OMG. I forgot one of my all time favorites movies. And, for a soundtrack and for crying it affects me like few others do. Veronica Guerin with Cate Blanchett, Ciaran Hinds,and Brenda Blethyn. Like BBM, the soundtrack and the film's actions are SO in sync! From the moment Veronica leaves court after dealing with her traffic fines, the film's pacing and editing; intercutting of the nurses leavng work at the hospital going to their cars, the truckdriver with his cargo, pulling off, the young men and their motorcycles, the music does it all,no words. No script.Then, just her mother walking into the house, and a few moments later her husband and her son. I love that song by Sinead O' Connor at the end. And the little street singer who performed The Fields of Athenry.Another soundtrack that totally makes me weep!
I looked at that EW list a realized there are only a half dozen movies I've never seen on the list! Along with five others I didn't agree with. LOL! I need to get a life!
"But I have one favorite all time song that brings tears to my eyes when I have the time to just listen to it without distractions - preferably with my eyes closed - The Long And Winding Road." Dani I am so with you on this one.
And you touched a very deep place with this "Tell me, do you realy think you go to hell for having loved..."
I love how you so fearlessly open up on your BBM experience ... it has definitely motivated me to be more open in my posts.
Hey WDW! Another thought provoking entry which has thrown up some weirdly reassuring similarities between myself and various other contributors.
I'm really hopeless with regard to weepie films at the best of times, when at my most emotional I can sob for England. However, like Marina,for me "Brokeback" was so unbelievably painful that for the first few times I saw it at the cinema and most times on DVD since, I couldn't actually cry until the heart-rending swell of guitars as Ennis closes the closet door on those two forlorn shirts. Then it was like a damn bursting. As each screening I saw at the cinema came to an end I stayed in my seat, sobbed all the way through the credits, Willie Nelson and Rufus Wainwright wringing every last ounce of grief out of me and then drove home, red-eyed and half-blind on auto-pilot.
Again I think it was Marina who said that,on subsequent viewings, the first twangs of the blue-grass guitar which accompany the emergence of the lorry from the mist and Ennis jumping down from the cab are all it takes to kick-start the sadness with a lurch in the solar plexus.
The ache in my chest and head, the gargantuan lump in my throat, build to suffocation point throughout the film, even the most beautiful scenes when Jack and Ennis know fleeting moments of happiness together, are exquisitely painful, knowing what's to come.
I haven't watched "Brokeback" for several months now (although I feel another appointment with heart-break beckoning me on)and I've only been able to play the soundtrack all the way through once.
Was it Beckela who emphasised just how much music can enhance and heighten the emotion, deepen the anguish? Barber's Adagio for Strings has long been my favourite piece of music and it was as much a character in Platoon as any of the actors. That beautiful wistful music as the backdrop to Elias' (Defoe) tragic and unjust murder haunted me too.
As for the cirucmstances which led to Ang casting "BBM",Jake and Heath were born to be Jack and Ennis, it was just meant to be that way and we will be forever grateful. Eat your heart out, Mr. Wahlberg!
Yes, I agree that Jake and Heath were born to be Jack and Ennis.
And yet I recall Ang, accepting Academy Award, thanking Annie P. for giving us two great characters.
(I do think he assumed as did many that the film would get an AA and there would be time to acknowledge Jake and Heath and others.)
I can hardly bear to re-read the story, it has such an emotional impact for me -
"I can hardly bear to re-read the story, it has such an emotional impact for me - " I have never re-read it. Just that one reading and there were all those sensations that Nadine describes feeling while watching the film.
So much of AP's dialogue and story details were incorporated into the film that the story itself becomes illuminated as if by a lightning stroke. Although for me, her characters remain her own, not the Jack and Ennis of the film and the story stands alone, as kinda numinous.
There is a water color painting by western artist William Matthews in the book, Close Range, of "Jack" - with an eagle feather in his hat - that makes me love the Jack of the story so much.
The combination of a great story and great director and Jake and Heath is enuff to astonish the heavens and break your heart - in my view.
"The revelation of Jack". Yes. As a few of you are saying, it was a "moment" - I, too, Dani, saw the film in the theatre many times, talking with the Asian guy at the Chinese take-out counter in the Mulitplex, who was very proud of Ang, sitting with my carton of fried rice through those damn previews - waiting for the first chords of music -
My current sad song that I find very moving for some reason and I have played it to death is Going To A Town on Rufus Wainwright's CD. The arraingement is so haunting. There is one phrase that I found very profound and thought provoking: "Tell me, do you realy think you go to hell for having loved..." It definitely makes me stop and think.
Dani, this is so beautiful, what you said. I'm not familiar with this song of Rufus', and I intend to rectify that! I haven't gotten his latest CD (what am I waiting for?).
I agree, Barber's Adaggio for Strings must be one of the saddest pieces ever written. When it was used in Platoon and throughout the score, it not only made me feel sad and full of grief, but dissappointment, something I can't describe. I felt like I was watching from a distance such evil unfold right before my eyes and could do nothing to stop it. It just made me feel great disappointment or the futility of it all or something. It is beautiful. I dashed a comment out this morning, and didn't have time to say all I wanted to say about it. And speaking of wistful music, Eric Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1 makes me feel that way, in My Dinner with Andre. :)
Good evening everyone :D As a result of this really wonderful conversation - a real mixture of emotions but most of all one of pleasure at what we receive from Brokeback - I've been watching much of the film, having listened to the soundtrack on the journey home. It has also influenced this evening's post so I hope you can bear with me and humour me for it :)
Marina - you nae some great soundtracks there - of course I've made no secret of my absolute adoration of the Zodiac soundtrack! I do like the Piano as well.
It seems a few of us have an appreciation for Platoon - Mr WDW loves this too. Beckela I love to talk about music with you :D
Hi Dani - like you, in the aftermath of BBM I couldn't bear to be apart from the film. Now I don't watch it so often, tonight is the first night in some time, and I think I'm appreciating it more because of that. It's a warm feeling to watch it again if you know what I mean.
Music is a crucial part of who I am and I'm never happy unless I have some 'quiet' time with the headphones on and some music to work through my thoughts and troubles each and every day. The soundtracks are all part of the experience of the film and I hope I pay close attention to the sounds of a film - I did like the music in SherryBaby for instance ;D
Like you, Dani, Rufus Wainwright is a favourite. Beautiful Child is the one I love the most and it reminds me of Jake :D
Hi Bobbyanna - I've not seen Veronica Guerin. I really do like Cate Blanchett. I think I've seen most of the films on the list myself. I never seem to have time to see films these days, just the cinema trip each week.
Nadine - thanks for that wonderful comment! The first time I saw Brokeback sounds a lot like your's. I didn't cry at all until the deceased card and the Lureen phonecall and then the rest was a blur. The second time I saw it I knew what was coming and so the waterworks started much earlier. That first time though, like you, I sat in my car, then rove home listening to the blues on the radio.
Hi positively pia - thanks for bringing the original story into this. I don't want to forget how much that story meant when I read it and read it. I read it over and over. I love Annie's writing - The Shipping News is a huge favourite of mine - those wide open spaces and landscapes again. I find the film so different from the OS and yet I love them both and I like the differences altough sometime they also exasperate me. Pia, I love your image of Jack with the eagle feather in his hat... :)
Hi Marina thanks for coming back and talking about that incredible score - I missed you while I was writing my way too long mammoth comment!
The contrast between the strings and the images of a war at its most brutal. I always like that - the way two contrasting, even jarring forces, can bring to light unusual aspects in the other. I'm not explaining myself well - it;s like the beauty of the strings can bring out something hidden in the horror of war - the soldier's search for meaning or the beauty of the horror - as in Jarhead and the raining oil. Well, I know what I mean :D
Hi WDW!
That's OK, I tend to go off on tangents and thank you all for being so tolerant of my free association! :)
I know what you mean, it's hard to describe, a frustration, or powerlessness, or something. But the power of music is amazing. You are right about the jarring effect of the strings against the horrors - the last line, when Charlie Sheen's character said it was like the forces of good and evil fighting for possession of his soul, was so apt, and that music is playing in the background. I've said this before, but I loved in Jarhead when Tony doesn't forget the Bedouin people's humanity and treats them with respect. I was happy to read that in the book, too! I'll have to watch it again now that I've almost finished reading the book.
And as well as Brokeback Mountain's soundtrack, have a listen to Cold Mountain's soundtrack, and Gabriel Yared's Anthem. Haunting as well. :)
Hi Marina - I've said this before and I'll say it again, I really must read Swoff's book... I did enjoy Cold Mountain - I'm not too keen on Jude Law but I do like Nicole Kidman very much and I loved her in this. I can't remember the soundtrack so I'll have a listen for it. :D
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