Some people love books, but I’m more of a movie person myself. Movies that leave you feeling thoughtful are right up my street. Action and adventure movies, chick flicks, and comedy have their place too of course. But my favorite movies all follow a formula that my old friend Karen used to say made them what she called a ‘Simon film.’
That formula would be made up of at least one of the following: A narration, a death, and a piano driven score probably by composer Thomas Newman. Karen once pointed out that in all my favorite movies someone died and as I tried to prove her wrong, it soon became apparent that this is indeed true, someone always dies in a ‘Simon film.’
There are exceptions to this rule though. Nobody dies in ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind‘, ‘High Fidelity‘ or ‘On Golden Pond‘ (Yes, I do like that film from 1981!). I was also about to write that despite the title nobody died in ‘Crash‘ either, but then I remembered one of the final scenes, the one with the young cop.
Endings are extremely important. Odd as this might sounds, I sometimes watch the last few minutes of my favorite movies end. So with that in mind I though I would share this strange pastime with you and share three of my favorite movie endings.
AMERICAN BEAUTY
Love it or loathe it, the ending of this film is really superb. Lester Burnham, played by Kevin Spacey, is a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis. He’s just been shot and killed. His narration then concludes the movie;
“I had always heard your entire life flashes in front of your eyes the second before you die. First of all, that one second isn’t a second at all, it stretches on forever, like an ocean of time… For me, it was lying on my back at Boy Scout camp, watching falling stars… And yellow leaves, from the maple trees, that lined my street… Or my grandmother’s hands, and the way her skin seemed like paper… And the first time I saw my cousin Tony’s brand new Firebird… And Janie… And Janie… And… Carolyn.
I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me… but it’s hard to stay mad, when there’s so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I’m seeing it all at once, and it’s too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that’s about to burst… And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can’t feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life… You have no idea what I’m talking about, I’m sure. But don’t worry… you will someday.”
BLOW
Johnny Depp plays George Jung in this true story about the man who established the American cocaine market in the 1970’s. I took a bunch of people to see this movie and afterward one became quite annoyed at the fact that the movie leads you to feel somewhat sympathetic toward the drug baron whose actions have probably accounted for countless deaths in the drug world. But no in the end the final scene is truly arresting as Depp (playing Jung) looks back on his life of crime from prison;
“So in the end, was it worth it? Jesus Christ. How irreparably changed my life has become. It’s always the last days of summer and I’ve been left out in the cold with no door to get back in. I’ll grant you I’ve had more than my share of poignant moments. Life passes most people by when they’re busy making grand plans for it.
Throughout my lifetime I’ve left pieces of my heart here and there. And now, there’s almost barely enough to stay alive. But I force a smile, knowing that my ambition far exceeded my talent. There are no more white horses or pretty ladies at my door.”
THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
Quite simply the best most moving and inspirational end to any movie I have ever seen. I doubt any movie will ever top this one in my book, I’ve seen it more times than I can remember yet it still draws me and moves me every time I see it. Again, the movie is concluded by a narration from the main character ‘Red’, played by Morgan Freeman;
“I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it’s the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.”
Now that I see those three endings together the similarity is actually quite strinking. It leaves me wondering what these movie choices might actually say about me.
If you haven’t seen any of those movies then I guess maybe I just ruined the end for you, but honestly I don’t feel like it would take away from the actual movie itself. They’re all worth seeing, in fact if you haven’t seen The Shawshank Redemption then that simply a must! Trust me, you’ll thank me for that recommendation!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 28, 2007 at 11:39 pm
I loooved American Beauty. I bought the collector set with all the extras. I think he’s an incredible actor.
I always loved the end of White Oleander. Or, in general, the endings that seem like a beginning. Oh, and I am absolutely enthralled with Life as a House.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 29, 2007 at 12:55 am
I have not seen Blow but agree with you on the other two. Shawshank is especially spectacular and the last two words of the narration you quoted really sum up the movie don’t they? “I hope.” I love that…really love it. “I hope.” Just thinking about that makes me think that I need to see that movie again.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 29, 2007 at 6:41 am
On Golden Pond and Shawshank Redemption are my favorites, I think we must like the same type movies. Another of my favorite movies is Goodfellas…I do not usually like that type movie, but the acting is amazing! But I also like Pulp Fiction, unusual choices for me but they just have something that pulled me into the story.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 29, 2007 at 7:29 am
Your movies do say a lot about “you” in a way :)
You are more about Hope and Love than you might first appear perhaps.
These two things I also hold very dear to my heart. It’s in the suffering and pain we survive in life that we learn the greatest lessons. Those of us with optimistic souls tend to find Hope where none should be found :)
The three films you have mentioned here all serve to remind us of this fact.
:)
Have you ever seen the movie “Dogville”? I only watched it once but it made such an impact on me I’m not sure I can ever watch it again. It’s extraordinary and challenging and it haunts me even now. There is no “hope” in this film though and I found it to be more horrifying than any stupid blood and gore flick out there. It changed me in a profound way all the same… which is something I perhaps “should” blog about someday.
A good food-for-thought post today Simon :) Thanks
Mitch
Wrote the following comment on Mar 29, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Blow is on my all time favorite movies list. I’ve seen On Golden Pond but I was really young at the time. It was filmed on Squam Lake in New Hampshire so everyone had to go see it no matter your age. I should probably watch it again now that I’m old enough to appreciate it.
ryc: Thank you for the link. People are always speeding down my road. Maybe I’ll try it. I’ll try to comment on your blog from jail :D
Wrote the following comment on Mar 29, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Try:
Electra Glide in Blue
Falling Down
LA Confidential
Dead Man’s Shoes
Donnie Darko
Twin Town
and on a lighter note with no death at all, Mike Leigh’s ‘Nuts In May’
:o)
https://imdb.com/title/tt0074988/
Wrote the following comment on Mar 30, 2007 at 3:39 am
I loved Shawshank Redemption as well. Another movie I loved was Finding Forrester. Loved your ending and how the spoke to your heart. Thanks for sharing!
Wrote the following comment on Mar 30, 2007 at 5:23 am
I hated American Beauty… I can’t remember why I hated it! Kevin Spacey is a great actor, though.
I haven’t seen Blow, but I’ve thought about it.
I LOVE Shawshank Redemption. It’s a great movie.
I can’t think of any movies off the top of my head that I enjoy the endings to.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 30, 2007 at 6:30 pm
‘Life as a house’ looks interesting. I’ll check that one out and a few of these other suggestions too.
Wrote the following comment on Mar 30, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Yep, Kevin Spacey is one of my favourite actors and Swimming with sharks is a great movie with a great end. Of course one of the best endings of recent times has to be Sixth Sense doesn’t it?
Wrote the following comment on Mar 31, 2007 at 1:36 am
Ah yes, I remember when you and I saw The Sixth Sense, Will. Man, did I feel like a jamock or what! I was stunned. I felt cheated, but in a great way. Though as good as that twist was, my favorite endings are the ‘thinky’ ones.
Wrote the following comment on Apr 2, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I really loved the ending to Lady In the Water.