Orientation....my take.

Rating: 10/10 (29 January 2006)

Oh how to make comment amongst so many, and not sound trite or repetitive and indeed, disrespectful to others views. After reading so many takes on this wonderful movie, I'm repeatedly drawn to a quote of Annie Prouix herself which I would like to share at this point; '' How different readers take the story is a reflection of their own personal values, attitudes, hang-ups. It is my feeling that a story is not finished until it is read, and that the reader finishes it through his or her own life experience, prejudices, world view and thoughts''. My initial reaction to the movie though incredibly impressed was marred by what I thought to be a huge deficiency of tangible expression of love between the 2 men. Even before seeing the movie I sensed that reading the short story might not be a bad idea. So, the next day I did just that and returned to the cinema for a second showing. Whilst I'm not saying that to read the book beforehand is essential for all, in my case, it made all the difference. Instead of dictating my wishes on the storyline I was able to sit back and drink in all the riches of the performance, cinematography, screenplay, sound etc. So many questions answered, a better understanding of the subtleties of text and direction, all came about from knowing the story. Now, whenever I revisit the film I see a myriad of detail that put this story into a sharper focus making it the most profound cinematic experience in my lifetime. ( I'm 53 and remember only 'Maurice' making me want to see a movie re homosexual love again ). And now I look back at the movie and have some comments that I would like to share. The discussion raging about the true orientation of the 2 men is answered in the repressive atmosphere of the times and my own experience. ( tx Annie for the prompt).I can see them both going thru puberty and in their own ways and timing discovering their attraction for boys and not girls. In Jack's case, a progression not greatly marred or scuppered by any event, allowing him to become an adult man sexually attracted to other men and who knows, losing his virginity a couple of years or so before this story begins. As for Ennis, the traumatic experience of being shown the mutilated corpse of one of the 2 ranchers puts a ton weight of fear and dread upon him concerning urges that by the age of 9 when the event happens may already have begun. I believe his orientation is established by the time we pick up the story but it's buried so deep that only someone special will be able to lift the lid.And that orientation isn't necessarily all homosexual but sufficient for the connection between them to happen as it does. After the drunken sing song and Ennis' claim on entry to heaven based on having not yet done anything to deserve otherwise, we see a dropping of guard sufficient for Jake to feel hopeful in something happening just around the corner and what must be a ground breaking instance of flirting or at least wishful thinking from Ennis. One of a few instances of mutual attraction that confound those who don't see the reason for them coming together in the first place. Ennis has opened up to Jack in a way that anybody knowing his character would not believe possible.At the point in the story when Ennis and jack trade places with the sheep tending and before their coming together Prouix writes ''They were respectful of each others opinions, each glad to have a companion where none had been expected. Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon ''. Ennis came to Jack a virgin in so much more than sexual experience and Jack came to Ennis with enough same sex experience to know that that was his lot and he was gonna go for it. Added to all this a chemistry that no amount of fine prose can define, the basic requirement to a relationship that was gonna go through all that it did. There should be no surprise at the lustful passion of their final coming together and Ennis' subsequent confusion before returning to him who had just lifted that lid albeit just a tad. On a personal note, I remember the ecstasy of my first kiss with another man, the subsequent fleeing after the pleasure and the accompanying fear and confusion but it was I who returned for more and without looking back. I fear that space prevents me from rambling further so would close with the hope that the effect this movie will have on society will be profound and long reaching 'though my pessimistic view on the improvement of human nature tells me not to hold my breath. In a quote from E M Forster's 'Maurice' read 'the world' for England;''....England has always been disinclined to accept human nature''.