What is the most memorable ending of a film you've seen?
October 12th 2006 23:32
OK, now it's time for the other end of the spectrum. What is the most memorable ending of a film you've seen? And it doesn't have to be favourable...in fact, it can be completely unfavourable if you prefer.
The first one that springs to my mind is the French film Caché (Hidden), released earlier this year. The ending of the film was controversial in the sense that many people felt that the director was too cryptic at the expense of the viewer. Before seeing the film, I had read a review saying that it was an eagle-eye ending so I was prepared for the challenge of deciphering the ending. I spotted it, but many people didn't and there was a distinct air of loud discontent by the audience as we left the cinema.
The first one that springs to my mind is the French film Caché (Hidden), released earlier this year. The ending of the film was controversial in the sense that many people felt that the director was too cryptic at the expense of the viewer. Before seeing the film, I had read a review saying that it was an eagle-eye ending so I was prepared for the challenge of deciphering the ending. I spotted it, but many people didn't and there was a distinct air of loud discontent by the audience as we left the cinema.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
10 great film Endings that spring to mind- (No Order)
Mike Hodges Get Carter
Alan parker's Angel Heart
John Frankenheimer's Seconds
Adriane Lynn's Jacobs Ladder
Franklin J Schaffner's Planet of The Apes
Alex proyas' Dark City
William Friedkin's The French Connection
Robert Alderich's Kiss me Deadly
sam Peckinpah's The Wild Bunch
David Fincher's Se7en
So many great finales, I may come back and list some terrible endings later.
Obviously Im a fan of ambiguos, querstionable and down right depressing endings. I like my brain do be given a morsel to ponder as I leave the theatre.
Comment by Homer Joyce
The films that only reveal what the film was really about in the final scene, which makes me rewatch the whole film again from a completely different perspective... Fight Club and Mulholland Drive come to mind ..
Or Taxi Driver, where Travis Bickle turns around to look at something in the mirror and there is nothing there (I went frame-by-frame for ages to discover what he was looking at. Sucked in by Scorcese?) ...
But, in terms of picking one: I love the ending to Love Serenade when the dead Ken Sherry turns into a fish, and swims below the surface of the Murray river at a rapid rate of knots with the 'I Wuv You' balloon tied to him ...after Dimity and Vicki-Ann dump him ...
Homer ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I also really liked the ending of Hidden, I thought it was clever and unusual. I like films that challenge my mind and that leave me pondering further. I think I'm also a fan of morose endings, I don't often watch a film for a happy ending, unless it's been a really rotten week and my brain has melted.
Feel free to share any dodgy endings...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, that's an interesting point about films that you almost have to see again to understand them. Fight Club and Mulholland Drive are good examples of that. Mind you, I remember thinking after seeing Mulholland Drive that I needed to see a few more times, I was so perplexed by it. I can't think of anymore at the moment...I'll have to have a think about some more....
Gosh, I'm intrigued by what you said about Taxi Driver. I saw it years ago, so I can't really remember it. Might have to watch that again.
Yes, that is a great ending in Love Serenade...I had completely forgotten about that film.
Comment by Bob Short
Seriously though, it's hard to go past the ending of "The Good the bad and the ugly".
I also like the post credits tag on ending to "Crimewave". I am a firm believer that more films should continue after the cinema lights come up.
Comment by Justin
Then HomerJ beat me to it with Fight Club.
Terminator2 was pretty memorable for me, T-800 raising a 'thumbs up' before melting into the molten pit and Sarah Connor's hope for the future.
Gattaca finally making it up to space where he may metaphorically 'return home', at the expense of another.
The Truman Show sailing out to the end of the world in bold discovery, to not return "home".
Fearless where Jeff Bridges finally comes down from his euphoric high. Really sad.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I like your idea of having more films that continue after the cinema lights come on. Then only avid watchers would see the rest of the film. I remember seeing a band with a friend and we were convinced that it couldn't be the end of the show. So we sat and waited while people left and after about 10 mins, the band came back on again. We were rewarded well for our patience and endurance. I liked that.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
The Truman Show is an excellent example of looking at the meaning of life through films. The ending where Christiff still thinks that Truman will choose the safe life of the show rather than real life is triumphant. Truman announces 'in case I don't see ya - good afternoon, good evening, and good night." He then bows and walks out the door. Across the world, fans watching cheer, Sylvia breaks into tears of joy and rushes out of her house (presumably to find him), and Christof bitterly sinks his head onto the screen in defeat. The president of the network leans over to a technician and cuts the transmission forever. As The Truman Channel goes off-air, viewers change the channel to watch something else. Truman made his choice. What an ending and what a film.
Tracy
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
"This is where we shake hands"
so good.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I haven't seen Unbreakable so I looked it up, it sounds good:
This suspense thriller unfolds as the audience is introduced to David Dunn, played by Willis. Not only is he the sole survivor of a horrific train-crash that killed 131 people he doesn't have a scratch on him. Samuel L Jackson plays an obscure character who approaches Dunn with a seemingly far fetched theory behind it all rocketing off an enticing thriller with a sci fi twist.
So the twist at end is effective?
Tracy
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Samuel L. Jackson plays a bit of a different character to usual too.
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I know it sounds arrogant, but I did manage to figure it out and enjoyed putting the clues together to solidify my theory.
Comment by Jas
Stories: Put Them in Your Brain
Food, Wine and Coffee
One Planet
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by The Voices in my Head
The Voices in my Head
It makes me cry everytime I watch it..
Voices~
Comment by Damo
Lord Jim- acceptance of courage
The Italian Job - the original
Lawrence of Arabia -
Bladerunner - is he or isn't he?
Appocalypse Now - This is the end....
All because they make you think about the implications of story.
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I've read reviews that say it is a very sad film, have you seen it a few times?
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes it was an abrupt ending, did you find that to be a good thing or bad?
I really liked the pace of the film and the frequent silences, it gave me a chance to absorb the message of the film.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I like what you said about the endings make you think about the implications of the story.
Tracy
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Ending of 'Last Tango in Paris'. So good.
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by Homer Joyce
I forgot to mention 'King of Comedy' ... the freeze-frame ending ... but it also rates in my best film openings also, and in my best film list ... the most underrated comedy of all time ... (but you have to have a warped, sick and twisted soh) ...
Homer ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I haven't seen Once Upon a Time in America. I can imagine it would be good with Sergio Leone being the director.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I hadn't heard of this one so I looked it up and was interested to find out that Martin Scorsese is the director. I found some comments about it, seems like you're not alone in your love for it, here's one:
'The King Of Comedy' is easily Martin Scorsese's most underrated and misunderstood movie. Scorsese and Robert De Niro's previous collaboration was the brilliant boxing biopic 'Raging Bull', generally regarded by most people as a masterpiece. Then the two made 'The King Of Comedy'... What a brave move! You couldn't find a more different movie, but one just as impressive and extraordinary. This movie is disliked by many, deliberately ignored by others. It's a very uncomfortable film. It's a (very) black comedy and is genuinely funny in places, but much of it is embarrassing to watch. Not because it is inept, but because of the believability of De Niro's obnoxious and irritating "loser" and wanna be comic Rupert Pupkin. De Niro has made a lot of disappointing movies in the last few years but 'The King Of Comedy' reminds you of just how brilliant he can be. Jerry Lewis is a performer I have always disliked, but he is excellent in this movie, probably because he is playing someone very close to himself in real life. The rest of the supporting cast aren't the most obvious choices, led by confrontational comedienne Sandra Bernhard and the "forgotten" Charlie's Angel Shelley Hack. Plus there are Tony Randall and a couple of other celebrities playing themselves, and a blink and you'll miss it cameo by The Clash (!). I really admire Scorsese for taking such a risk with this movie, which is one of the most original and provocative ever released by a major Hollywood studio. Bravo! This is must see viewing for not only all Scorsese or De Niro fans, but anyone who appreciates unusual or difficult movies.
That's great that it fits both the memorable ending and beginning category. I'll let you know if I ever see it...
Tracy
Comment by Homer Joyce
That is such a great review of the movie. Thanks for posting that. I read another great review of the movie once. It had words to the effect: 'If you want to know what De Niro really thinks of fame, and why he lives so reclusively, watch this film'.
It's been in my top 3 movies of all time since I first saw it ...
Thanks again ...
Homer ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Glad you liked the review, I thought it was really good too. I'm surprised that I hadn't heard of the film but that's of the great thing about blogging, learning from other people.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Johanna
PCOS Mum
In Cousins with Ted Danson and Isabella Rossellini (not sure I spelt that right) they have agreed not to see each other but at a family wedding he asks her to dance and she declines so he asks her to spend the rest of her life with him instead. I just love it!
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think I saw Cousins a few years ago and liked it too. It sounds like you've seen it many times? It's great to have films like that in your collection. Sometimes we need films that simply make us smile.
Tracy
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
'Blade Runner', I still don't know!
'Unbreakable' - although the scene where the son silently asks his dad (Bruce Willis) if the hero written about in the newspaper is him...that gets me. I'm a bawling mess everytime.
'Star Wars; Return of the Jedi' - when Sebastian Shaw was still shown as Anakin Skywalker, next to Yoda and Obi Wan. When Luke burns the pyre, I'm a bawling mess...again.
'Usual Suspects' - the limp vanishes, Kaiser Sulze appears.
Maybe I'm slow but I was completely gobsmacked that Nicole Kidman was a ghost in 'The Others'
And...I don't know why, but I get all "aw shucks" when Superman smiles at me at the end...
PS. David Prowse (body of Darth Vader) trained Christopher Reeve for the first Superman. This has nothing to do with this post.
Comment by KarenC
Genghis Gal
Same with Once Were Warriors.
I also agree with The Sixth Sense, Usual Suspects and Se7en. I didn't pick any of them.
Comment by Anonymous
The Squid and The Whale
Gallipoli