Letters to the Editor
-
Trevor got it right
I think Trevor pegged this one on the nose. This movie doesn't underestimate the audience. But apparently it OVERestimates Ms. Zacharek. The first time I saw it, I also thought that it portrayed Jack's love for Ennis a lot clearer than Ennis's love for Jack. But then I thought back to all the little episodes that show it: playful wrestling on the hillside, laughing; the anguish and near-vomiting when they part; the kiss when they reunite the first time (Ennis started it); the list goes on. There was no need to add a big declaration of love. In fact, that would have completely changed the story. The best storytellers SHOW the story, they don't tell it.
PS, I've seen this movie twice already. In less than a week. And I have never, ever done that. I don't remember if I have ever seen the same movie twice in a theater in the first place, and I'm certain that it's never happened twice in the same week. What's more, I never felt a desire to look at my watch during the entire 134 minutes, either time. This is a wonderful movie.