Topic: ennis/hotel

[ilovejake]

hi i am new here, i love love this film cant get enough of it. what i wanted to ask is you all no how  frightened ennis is of getting caught out, well how come when they are in the hotel room one of the most public places he doesn t seem worried at all.     

[tpe]

Hello ilovejake, and welcome.

I think a motel is discreet enough for most purposes.  They are normally used by tavellers who stay overnight to break a long roadtrip.  So with the number of people passing through, it is natural to have some anonymity when one checks in in one of those places.

Ennis was certainly not a regular, and I doubt that any of the motel employees knew him (even if in a small town).  They could have gone to a motel some ways outside of Riverton.  Then again, I do admit that there is still some risk that he would have been recognized.

A similar scene is played out in Jake Gyllenhaal's film 'The Good Girl'.  In this case, Justine (the lover of Jake's character, Holden) almost gets recognized at a church prayer meeting by the motel employee. 

Ennis was certainly taking a risk.  But there were few other options -- other than doing it in the middle of a field or in some extremely inconvenient place.

[NoReins]

You know, I've wondered about that a few times. The movie doesn't make it clear where the motel is - could be miles from Riverton and Ennis didn't exactly make efforts to socialise in his own town (skipping the church social etc) so unlikely that he would have been known outside of Riverton. But, having said that, the short story says that "within 20 minutes they were in the Motel Siesta jouncing a bed" - which kind of implies that the motel was on the outskirts of Riverton (especially since they stopped to buy whiskey on the way)

It does all seem a little risky for Ennis - but then, they had just had the most passionate kiss imaginable and they were obviously desperate to be alone so maybe it was a case of their urges taking over and stopping rational thought?

[ilovejake]

no reigns the last few lines of your post is what i was thinking.thanks for the replys

[stacp]

I think the reunion and ensuing motel trip was the one time we see Ennis let his passion take over.  "This thing" grabbed a hold of him; his desire overwhelmed him.  After all, he kissed Jack right there in the shadows of the laundry mat and his apartment, and Alma sure got an eyeful.  Shows how much Ennis loved Jack IMO.  As far as the motel, I bet they were discreet about it.  Jack probably got the room while Ennis waited in the car.  Maybe it was a "no tell" motel, where you can tip the attendant an extra ten or twenty to keep quiet.  Either way, I don't think a herd of wild Elk could've stopped our boys that night.  :o

[boo_boo]

I think the reunion and ensuing motel trip was the one time we see Ennis let his passion take over.  "This thing" grabbed a hold of him; his desire overwhelmed him.  After all, he kissed Jack right there in the shadows of the laundry mat and his apartment, and Alma sure got an eyeful.  Shows how much Ennis loved Jack IMO.  As far as the motel, I bet they were discreet about it.  Jack probably got the room while Ennis waited in the car.  Maybe it was a "no tell" motel, where you can tip the attendant an extra ten or twenty to keep quiet.  Either way, I don't think a herd of wild Elk could've stopped our boys that night.  :o

That's what I figured.  Jack got the room while Ennis waited in the car.

[shieldmaid]

I agree.  Still, I can't help wishing, every time I watch this scene, that Ennis and Jack could somehow have turned this motel visit into something more permanent.  It's the only time that I'm aware of, other than the time they borrow someone's cabin, when they're together in a relatively public place.  When they absolutely *need* to be together, they can find a way--if only they could have found a longer-lasting way. 

[MississaugaRed]

Good questions ... and answers!

I sometimes wondered if maybe Jack had already had this motel room booked before he went to see Ennis at his place.
First off, he showed up kind of late in the day. If they were going to be out "drinkin' & talkin' and all"  then Jack would have needed an overnight place anyway, no matter how the reunion went.

He sure seemed surprised as hell when Ennis grabbed him and dragged him into the stairwell.  But since he admitted later he knew they'd "get into this again", I wondered too if maybe he had figured on having to seduce Ennis.  Probably thought he'd have to ease Ennis into the idea of being lovers again.

Shows what he knew!  Ennis made seduction a pretty moot point, did a little himself, I'd say.  Which would have made having the motel room pre-booked a very handy thing and make it a little safer for them both to sneak in later, too (?). 

[danac]

Hello ilovejake, and welcome.

I think a motel is discreet enough for most purposes.  They are normally used by tavellers who stay overnight to break a long roadtrip.  So with the number of people passing through, it is natural to have some anonymity when one checks in in one of those places.

Ennis was certainly not a regular, and I doubt that any of the motel employees knew him (even if in a small town).  They could have gone to a motel some ways outside of Riverton.  Then again, I do admit that there is still some risk that he would have been recognized.

Ennis probably didn't have the money anyway...so Jack, in a truck no one recognized, could have pulled, checked in, and paid with Ennis still in the truck...for what it's worth.

[Valandil Eluch]

well guys i wondered about that too, but well i agree with you i bet that it was jack the paid for the room and maybe he got it before going to Ennis' place as he stated he was sure he was going to do that again, and knowing jack that he used to prepare very well his plan (with ennis  i mean) maybe he got the room first

[tpe]

Indeed, it all sounds more than plausible that Jack paid for the room and Ennis stayed out of sight.  This does not entirely eliminate risk, but it drastically decreases it.  After all, I aassume this was the only time they made use of a motel.

[Patriot1]

Consider what Annie Proulx wrote when she described the motel: "The room stank of seamen and smoke and sweat and whiskey, of old carpet and sour hay, saddle leather, sh*t and cheap soap."

This sounds like the kind of place the men of the area took hookers.  If that is the case, then I am sure the employees never asked any questions.  Just rent the room and mind your own business. 

[edgar]

Consider what Annie Proulx wrote when she described the motel: "The room stank of seamen and smoke and sweat and whiskey, of old carpet and sour hay, saddle leather, sh*t and cheap soap."

This sounds like the kind of place the men of the area took hookers.  If that is the case, then I am sure the employees never asked any questions.  Just rent the room and mind your own business. 

Hmmm.... If the room stank of "seamen" then I suppose some sailors from Seattle or San Francisco were coming all the way to Wyoming on vacation. This is an interesting development. If it is a veiled SanFran reference, then Proulx is obviously trying to say that there really is an underground gay scene in or near Riverton. Maybe Ennis was a regular at the hotel; he goes there as a gay hooker with the sailor boys and that's how he brings in money. Thus, the motel employees had a pact of silence with Ennis. (The ranch-hand story and "construction job" is just something he tells Alma.) This also explains how he supposedly does without sex, either from Alma or Jack.
I knew there was an explanation, but until you posted that quote, I never put two and two together.
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(sorry; couldn't resist)

[NoReins]

Consider what Annie Proulx wrote when she described the motel: "The room stank of seamen and smoke and sweat and whiskey, of old carpet and sour hay, saddle leather, sh*t and cheap soap."

This sounds like the kind of place the men of the area took hookers.  If that is the case, then I am sure the employees never asked any questions.  Just rent the room and mind your own business. 

Hmmm.... If the room stank of "seamen" then I suppose some sailors from Seattle or San Francisco were coming all the way to Wyoming on vacation. This is an interesting development. If it is a veiled SanFran reference, then Proulx is obviously trying to say that there really is an underground gay scene in or near Riverton. Maybe Ennis was a regular at the hotel; he goes there as a gay hooker with the sailor boys and that's how he brings in money. Thus, the motel employees had a pact of silence with Ennis. (The ranch-hand story and "construction job" is just something he tells Alma.) This also explains how he supposedly does without sex, either from Alma or Jack.
I knew there was an explanation, but until you posted that quote, I never put two and two together.
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(sorry; couldn't resist)

edgar - you so nearly caught me there

[Valandil Eluch]

Consider what Annie Proulx wrote when she described the motel: "The room stank of seamen and smoke and sweat and whiskey, of old carpet and sour hay, saddle leather, sh*t and cheap soap."

This sounds like the kind of place the men of the area took hookers.  If that is the case, then I am sure the employees never asked any questions.  Just rent the room and mind your own business. 

Hmmm.... If the room stank of "seamen" then I suppose some sailors from Seattle or San Francisco were coming all the way to Wyoming on vacation. This is an interesting development. If it is a veiled SanFran reference, then Proulx is obviously trying to say that there really is an underground gay scene in or near Riverton. Maybe Ennis was a regular at the hotel; he goes there as a gay hooker with the sailor boys and that's how he brings in money. Thus, the motel employees had a pact of silence with Ennis. (The ranch-hand story and "construction job" is just something he tells Alma.) This also explains how he supposedly does without sex, either from Alma or Jack.
I knew there was an explanation, but until you posted that quote, I never put two and two together.
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.
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(sorry; couldn't resist)

i was going to say WTF but then i read the ending  good one!! you got me on that!!!

[City Slickin' Cowboy]

In all the times I have viewed this movie I never gave much thought to the motel and necessity for secrecy.  It is not unusual for two men to be seen at a motel together. They could both be seen as travelers or just one.  If one is seen carrying beer or alcohol, it's probably assumed they are just getting together to get drunk or raise a little hell.  I've had a few motel adventures myself and I never gave much thought to what someone may think regarding my reasons for checking in.

Just my two cents....

[NoReins]

In all the times I have viewed this movie I never gave much thought to the motel and necessity for secrecy.  It is not unusual for two men to be seen at a motel together. They could both be seen as travelers or just one.  If one is seen carrying beer or alcohol, it's probably assumed they are just getting together to get drunk or raise a little hell.  I've had a few motel adventures myself and I never gave much thought to what someone may think regarding my reasons for checking in.

Just my two cents....

I didn't think about it at all to start with Cowboy - but I think the issue is that they got to the motel quickly ("within 20 minutes they were in the Motel Siesta...") which suggests that it was very close to Riverton where folks might recognise Ennis and wonder why he was staying in a motel with another guy when his house was only a few miles away. If the motel was further away (halfway to the mountains perhaps) then there would have been no risk and, as you say, no suspicion, but it's the closeness that makes me wonder.

I think all those who said that Jack either already had a room or went and got one while Ennis sat in the pickup are probably right.

[ethan]

I think all those who said that Jack either already had a room or went and got one while Ennis sat in the pickup are probably right.

That is what I would think too. It does seem that Ennis let his guard down. Perhaps at that time in Ennis mind, Jack was just a good buddy of his and that was all. As time went on, his relationship got deeper with Jack and it was no longer a one shot thing. He became more paranoid even just seeing a pick-up drove by when he was talking to Jack after Jack drove to see him and only be sent away.

The first time I saw the movie, I thought the big neon sign "Motel" was a bit tacky.

[NoReins]

I think all those who said that Jack either already had a room or went and got one while Ennis sat in the pickup are probably right.

That is what I would think too. It does seem that Ennis let his guard down. Perhaps at that time in Ennis mind, Jack was just a good buddy of his and that was all.

I don't think so - you don't greet your "good buddies" the way Ennis did outside his appartment

[Patriot1]

I think all those who said that Jack either already had a room or went and got one while Ennis sat in the pickup are probably right.

That is what I would think too. It does seem that Ennis let his guard down. Perhaps at that time in Ennis mind, Jack was just a good buddy of his and that was all.

I don't think so - you don't greet your "good buddies" the way Ennis did outside his appartment

You don't?   Well no wonder everyone thinks I'm queer!!!!!

[NoReins]

I think all those who said that Jack either already had a room or went and got one while Ennis sat in the pickup are probably right.

That is what I would think too. It does seem that Ennis let his guard down. Perhaps at that time in Ennis mind, Jack was just a good buddy of his and that was all.

I don't think so - you don't greet your "good buddies" the way Ennis did outside his appartment

You don't?   Well no wonder everyone thinks I queer!!!!!

ROTFLMAO - nice one Patriot1

[MississaugaRed]

I think all those who said that Jack either already had a room or went and got one while Ennis sat in the pickup are probably right.

That is what I would think too. It does seem that Ennis let his guard down. Perhaps at that time in Ennis mind, Jack was just a good buddy of his and that was all.

I don't think so - you don't greet your "good buddies" the way Ennis did outside his appartment

You don't?   Well no wonder everyone thinks I'm queer!!!!!

       LMFO!  It might have been a clue, Patriot1!  Too funny! 

[donnaread]

Jack knows how homophobic Ennis is...maybe he got the motel room before he went to meet Ennis.  Would make sneaking Ennis in easier .  Besides he didn't know what kind of welcome he'd get from Ennis, he may have thought he'd need a motel room to stay the night if Ennis was less than welcoming.  I wouldn't think he'd turn right around and drive 1400 miles back to Texas.  Although that is what he did after the "divorce" scene fiasco.  :'(  Luckily for both us AND Jack and Ennis...Ennis was MORE than welcoming

Donna 

[ksxks]

I think all those who said that Jack either already had a room or went and got one while Ennis sat in the pickup are probably right.

That is what I would think too. It does seem that Ennis let his guard down. Perhaps at that time in Ennis mind, Jack was just a good buddy of his and that was all.

I don't think so - you don't greet your "good buddies" the way Ennis did outside his appartment

You don't?   Well no wonder everyone thinks I'm queer!!!!!

Oh you goofball!  I am so LOL'ing!

kathy

[aniketsin]

hi i am new here, i love love this film cant get enough of it. what i wanted to ask is you all no how  frightened ennis is of getting caught out, well how come when they are in the hotel room one of the most public places he doesn t seem worried at all.     

hi, i've just joined this fraternity, from a faraway country
how come no one's discussing anythin nymore.
can't there possibly be a chatroom.

[tpe]

Welcome, aniketsin.

If you begin chatting, they will come. 

[Jennis]

Welcome, aniketsin.

If you begin chatting, they will come. 

They will.See,that's two of us already 
Nice to meet you aniketsin

Jennis.x

[greenfrog]

hi i am new here, i love love this film cant get enough of it. what i wanted to ask is you all no how  frightened ennis is of getting caught out, well how come when they are in the hotel room one of the most public places he doesn t seem worried at all.     

hi, i've just joined this fraternity, from a faraway country
how come no one's discussing anythin nymore.
can't there possibly be a chatroom.

[aintfoolin]

I'm also one who believes that Jack got the room on the way into Riverton. I don't think anyone thoght any thing of it, It's just Ennis's damned paranoia! Especially since they drove there in Jack's truck which had to have a Texas license plate. suggesting just another out of town visitor,  Nothing uncommom about that  Just Ennis bein Ennis.Besides who wants to drive 20 miles when your peaking dammit.Smiles.

[welshwitch]

Well, Alma hadn't invited him to stay so he had to find somewhere as he wouldn't be driving back till the next day even if the reunion turned out to be a brief one. And it's the sort of old-fashioned motel where, once you have a room, no-one sees you go in and out as access to the room is from the parking lot. Ennis wouldn't be seen by anyone on the front desk.