Best Movie Ending Ever
I was re-watching "The Cider House Rules" last night and I was struck by how great the ending was. It was so powerful mainly because it was so understated. As Homer puts the boys to bed, he decides to repeat the late Dr. Larch's habitual good-night refrain ("Good-night you princes of Maine, you kings of New England"). The quiet giggling of the boys evinces their deeply felt affection for Homer and their joy that he has returned to take over Dr. Larch's role as father-figure.
Another of my favorite endings is that of "South Pacific," when Emile, who had been missing in action, returns home to find Nellie taking care of his children. He sits at the dining table with her. Then, rather than embrace, or kiss, or say anything at all, they simply clasp hands under the table. It's hard to describe, in the context of all that's gone before, just how evocative that moment is.
I love both of these endings, and so I thought I'd ask if you have any particular movie endings that you love, and why.
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Jul '10
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
Yes, the particular movie ending I most enjoyed was Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. I never thought that the credits and theater lights would come soon enough.
Apr '12
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. Why? Why not?
Aug '11
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
The end of Monsters, Inc.
"Kitty!"
Gets me every time.
Nov '10
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
Life Is Beautiful: The little boy reunited with his mother after being in the camps and shouting "We won, we won!" at seeing the tanks rolling by.
Dec '11
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
No competition.
John Belushi/Main Street parade : Animal house trailer
Edited on January 3, 2013 at 6:35amDec '12
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
DrewInWisconsin- Monsters, Inc., excellent choice.
I can't really pick just one, but some of my favorites off the top of my head:
It's A Wonderful Life- Some critics think it's a "corny" ending. As for myself, bring on the Capracorn! I like my hero rewarded after his journey through hell, and I love seeing George rescued by the community he'd sacrificed so much for.
I also love the endings of The Pursuit of Happyness and Miracle for similar reasons to "Wonderful Life": the hero receiving bliss after a long, difficult journey, with both lead actors (Will Smith and Kurt Russell) playing the moment perfectly.
Fiddler on the Roof- heartbreaking but such a powerful, beautiful metaphor for the endurance of the Jewish people in a hostile world.
The Princess Bride- "As you wish"
I think I also have to add the final scene of the musical Les Miserables to my list of great movie endings. Again, it's the hero finally receiving his just rewards after a hard struggle (guess I'm a sucker for that), combined with some spine-tingling good music.
Dec '12
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
Speaks for itself.
Dec '10
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
"Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Aug '11
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
I absolutely love that movie and think the ending is perfect.
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
The ending of Das Boot is just amazing.
May '11
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
The ending of Dumb and Dumber is as good as it gets.
Jul '10
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
"I am Spartacus"
The last great moment in the Alien(s) series. Ripley is bedded down for the return trip. No voiceover, no dialogue, just a lingering shot. Is she compromised?
Rising Sun, Sean Connery triumphant.
Missed opportunity: For all of its virtues, the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings gave short shrift to the book's climax, "the Scouring of the Shire," in which the hobbits, having addressed the evil of the age in a distant land, are confronted with it in their own neighborhood when they return home. It shows not just the perniciousness of evil, but how the experience of their adventure has changed the way the hobbits see their neighborhood and act within it.
Apr '12
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
"Some Like it Hot," when Jack Lemmon reveals he's a man, and Osgood Fielding (his fiance) says, "Nobody's perfect."
Jun '12
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
The Mission (1986) "So, your Holiness, now your priests are dead, and I am left alive. But, in truth, it is I who am dead, and they who live. For, as always, your Holiness, the spirit of the dead will survive in the memory of the living."
Aug '11
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
"Master and Commander" Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin begin their favorite pastime - playing duets in the great cabin - Aubrey on violin and Maturin on viola, when they learn that the captain of their prize is not dead, but hiding among the crew ready to lead an uprising. Boccerini soars as the ship leaps into action. Forced to abandon the completion of Maturin's scientific visit to the Galapagos, they turn about and stretch every bit of canvas the Surprise can manage t0 overcome the Acheron and its small prize crew taking the prize and prisoners into port.
Nov '10
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
I loved this, as well. Thanks for the reminder.
Aug '12
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
Shane and Will Penny have similar, heart-catching endings, the hero leaving the family he's come to love, Shane perhaps to die, Will to live his drifter's life, but, having done the right thing, with a broken heart to keep him company and his memories alive.
John Ford's The Grapes of Wrath ends twice: Tom Joad, a noble fugitive hiding in the night and saying goodbye to Ma; and then the remnant of the family, haunted Pa and resolute Ma, in the truck cab under way to the next migrant camp: Ma speaks about continuing, men and women. It's a small suite, theme and counter, and both halves are necessary for us to properly let the Joads go.
Apr '11
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
Pulp Fiction. Walking out of the diner. mint.
Apr '11
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
Great.Now I can't work thinking about this thread. Close behind would be Silence of the Lambs, most Cohen Bros flicks, but especially Farg,o and I'm sorry but the fanboy in me won't ever forget being 7 yrs old and trying to grapple with "Luke, I am Your Father." Ok. I think it's all out of my system
Edited on January 3, 2013 at 9:23pmMay '10
Re: Best Movie Ending Ever
It's a Gift with W.C. Fields, 1934