'A faint sweetness like grass and with it the rushing cold of the mountain'

As is usually the case with a Brokeback post, they travel in pairs. Yesterday's talk about Diana Ossana and the script of Brokeback made me want to spend some time with the story today and it also reminded me of this - an interview with Diana and her co-screenwriter Larry McMurtry, which you can listen to here.


One of the most interesting aspects of this interview is when Diana and Larry discuss how and when they knew to leave the original story alone. The interview recalls one such moment - at the four-year reunion in those seconds when Jack and Ennis pull apart - which Annie described/painted so perfectly 'Ennis can still smell Jack, the intensely familiar odour of cigarettes, musky sweat and a faint sweetness like grass, and with it the rushing colour of the mountain.' Listening to those words, I know now I must find an audio book of Brokeback. Hearing the words of Annie Proulx, for me, is even better than imagining them said. [Edited to add: I've been reminded that, in the story, Annie says 'the rushing cold of the mountain' and not colour, as the interviewer here says.]


While you're about it, and if you're in a Brokeback mood, there are more audio interviews here. One, with Gustavo Santoalalla, reveals that the music preceded the filming and that it influenced direction and acting. In another, Ang Lee recalls Michelle Williams' instructions to Heath and to Jake to kiss harder and also admits to painting that Wyoming sky a slightly bluer blue, to match, perhaps, the Wyoming sky blue of Jack Twist's eyes.


These interviews were conducted in the run-up to the Oscars, which, of course, did not end as they should. However, not wanting to dwell on that tonight, I thought instead that I would take a look at one of the most appealing sights of the 2006 Academy Awards - Jake Gyllenhaal on the red carpet.


In the first of these two videos, at least one of the red carpet commentators is dangerously distracted and loses all train of thought - and who can blame her? - when Jake comes into view. She is to be admired - when Jake comes into my line of sight on a red carpet I tend to hurl myself into a parallel universe. I also like the lady's disbelief when her colleague blurts out that he hadn't noticed Jake. As if!



In the second video, there is a chance to focus on what is without doubt one of the most important elements of any red carpet, anywhere, anytime - how good Jake Gyllenhaal looks on it.



So a mix of emotions this evening and all because of the sparse and stunning words of Annie Proulx, the vision of Ang Lee, the bravery and commitment of the actors, the sound and colour of the mountain, and the beauty of Jake Gyllenhaal. An intoxicating mix.




Includes pictures from IHJ.