The phenomenon of Brokeback Mountain

Rating: 10/10 (7 July 2006)

Once in a very long while, entertainment and art merge into something that is extraordinary. In the case of a film, every single element must come together such that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Such is the case of Brokeback Mountain.
But it even goes beyond this. Brokeback has become a phenomenon. Besides the controversial subject matter and Oscar hoopla, it has touched many souls. Why else would people from different parts of the world converge to meet like-minded souls who adore BBM? Or mount a petition to name a mountain in Vermont after it? Or create a web-based BBM radio station? Most importantly, BBM's message has prompted so many folks to live life with more purpose and zeal, myself included.
I have seen it 7 times, and at one recent viewing, decided to list the symbolism/metaphors and subtext that popped out, just for the heck of it. The symbolism is just one of the many amazing facets of this film.
(1) In the initial scene when the lads meet, two clouds appear to merge into one (2) When Ennis is standing in front of the trailer, before Jack arrives, a passing train cuts across our view of him. The boxcars intermittently hide him, suggesting Ennis' somewhat standoffish personality (3) Ennis wears a white cowboy hat, Jack a black one - indicating their opposite personality/yin and yang (4) Jack walks in front of Ennis to the bar (after they leave the trailer), revealing Jack's more forward/leading approach (5) The scenes of swarming masses of sheep are a metaphor for 'timid followers' in society (6) The image of the lads carrying a lamb (crossing streams, etc) parallels the depiction of Christ holding a lamb. This is a metaphor for Ennis and Jack as saviours to each other (7) Initially on the mountain, Jack and Ennis are apart frequently, one watching the sheep and the other in camp (implying they're not yet in love). Later when they're together, they're 'on the same plain' (8) Jack won't stick with beans (he won't 'settle' for just anything, if he doesn't like it) (9) Their difference in shooting ability parallels their different personalities (Jack shoots often but seems to 'miss' the mark a lot while Ennis often hits the mark revealing his carefulness versus Jack's carelessness) (10) Jack's rodeo career reflects his unreserved personality (11) Ennis says "the tent don't look right" indicating his desire for things to 'look and be' right/accepted (12) Religious judgment is revealed when Jack says 'folks like you and I march off to hell' (can be interpreted as gay people) (13) There's a full moon on the night they first physically 'connect' (14) The suddenness of the initial love scene represents those sublime, unexpected moments in life we never see coming - they just happen! (15) Death of the sheep that Ennis discovers the next morning is a 'punishment' for the sexual encounter the night before (16) The only time we see the lads naked are when they're on BBM (the physical nakedness is a metaphor for their emotional exposure to each other) (17) Jack 'ropes' Ennis on their last day on Brokeback (shows he's more forward, and foreshadows his desire to be with him) (18) Upon their departure, the sky shows a cloud separating into two (19) Ennis' wedding seems more like a funeral than a wedding celebration (symbolizing the death of his innocent and euphoric time on BBM) (20) The physical beauty of BBM is in stark contrast to the ugliness of their 'existence' off BBM (where generally you see unsightly homes or trailers) (21) The July 4th fireworks behind Ennis parallels his explosive nature brooding under the surface (22) Ennis is always polite (he says 'thank you' a lot) - he was taught that it's the right thing to do (23) Ennis often tucks in his shirt - outward appearances are important (24) Joe Aguirre throws the keys at Ennis in the trailer - indicates how poorly he thinks of the lads (25) Jack's father-in-law throws the car keys at him - indicates how poorly he thinks of him (26) Jack drops the car keys - implying he doesn't measure up to his father-in-law (27) Jack's cowboy hat is always worn higher than Ennis' hat (suggesting he's open and gregarious) (28) The quadruple entendre (when Ennis tells Jack's father, "I can't begin to tell you how sorry I feelÂ…" This is typical when one comforts another, but it also reveals how Ennis is unable to share his thoughts to a man blindsided by his own prejudice. Thirdly, Ennis cannot talk about these things 'in this place, at this time' (Wyoming), and finally, he is incapable of doing so - he's hamstrung by his inability to convey his feelings) (29) Ennis says "I'm just sending up a prayer of thanks" (referring to Jack forgetting the harmonica, but also interpreted as thanks for their special love, or the chance to get together again, etc) (30) The hailstorm foreshadows rocky times ahead (31) The river scenes - represents the passage of time (32) Jack and Ennis' love represents the complete and most relished loves of our own lives (33) Jack and Ennis' experience/love is a metaphor for our own most cherished experiences which can never be recaptured (34) Jack and Ennis' attempt to recapture BBM ultimately fails (this parallels our own failed attempts to rekindle the rare blissful moments/events in life) (35) The pace of the film reflects the pace of life in the 'hinterland' (36) Ennis' mumbling represents the stifled way he communicates (37) The shirts are 'in the closet' (38) In the closet, one shirt is in the other 'being protected' (39) In the final scene, Ennis' closet is in stark contrast to the wide expanse of the plain outside his window (40) Ennis' sublime, final haunting words, "Jack, I swear", is an incomplete sentence and echoes the many instances in his life where he never finishes what he begins