Integral to this portrayal of sensitive masculinity is the film"s much-lauded camp-fire scene, a pivotal centrepiece and a defining moment of these actors" superlative performances. Camping overnight on their journey to Mike"s brother"s house, hunting down clues to Mike"s mother"s whereabouts, Mike and Scott huddle around their flickering camp-fire. Scott lies outstretched with confident ease, while Mike is sitting with his knees coyly to his chest. The homoerotic tension mounts as Van Sant captures the moment of telling your best friend you are in love with them with the same theatrical tension as guns being drawn in a Western.