The Ending is a Betrayal
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LTUM — 14 years ago(March 17, 2012 06:12 AM)
that's a good point. it has become commonplace. like the saw movies.
but yes, at the time it was a huge huge surprise to everyone, the twist ending. it was like WOAHHHHHH
drugschangedeverything..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8MGBn3KawM&feature=related -
onbrightonrd — 14 years ago(March 30, 2012 11:56 AM)
Not only was that kind of twist ending not quite as commonplace when the film was released, but one has to remember the political context of society at the time the film was made. 1987 was still during the Cold War, and conventional wisdom in American films was NOT to give the audience a hero who is actually working for the Russkies (this was only three years after "Red Dawn," after all).
However, I disagree with the original poster on this thread. Farrell IS trapped by the Soviets as well as the Americans. That is why we see him resist interrogation at the beginning of the film and then leave at the very end. His contact says, "Let him gohe'll return. Where else does he have to go?" But we sense strongly that Farrell will never go back to either side.
There is an utter sense of disillusionment, and similar to the ending of "Three Days of the Condor," we believe the protagonist is left out on his own against the world. In the larger scheme of the picture, Farrell is still one man against massive, brutal, and corrupt forces, still striving for personal survival. -
LTUM — 14 years ago(March 30, 2012 01:54 PM)
damn fine points. especially the top paragraph, about a hero from the other side. hugely ironic, and though i'm sure that registered with me subliminally i don't think i have realized it until now
also perceptive about 2 days of condor. yes, both had the same vibe at the end. good call, friend
drugschangedeverything..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8MGBn3KawM&feature=related -
jolem53 — 13 years ago(September 07, 2012 03:07 PM)
Just finished watching it a minute ago. Yeah, the ending pissed me off. Good movie until last two-three minutes. Kinda ruined the whole thing.
Great cast, great suspense, drama, actionall flushed down the toilet at the end by a cheap 'twist.'
By the way, I saw this when it first came out. Remembered it was a good movie but had forgotten the ending. -
LPurch6636 — 13 years ago(November 02, 2012 07:24 AM)
What confused me about the ending was that it was a man from the CIA who , at the ending of the movie, Kostner appealed to. Was the CIA guy in cahoots with Yuri's Russian handler? I just don't get this part of the movie Help!
Flanagan -
one189teen50five — 13 years ago(November 30, 2012 06:11 PM)
First of all, no SPOILERS were added to this thread. Second of all, I don't really know who the Russian guy is supposed to be other than maybe Tom's boss or mentorI don't know. I think CMDR. Farrell went in to this scheme not meaning to fall in love with Susan. He really became jealous of Hackman's character and when Susan ended up dead, Tom knew they'd blame him. He wanted to see Hackman nailed and the only way to do that was with that gold box. The jerk did it and deserved to be thrown out of the government. Please spell Costner with a C. It was never with a K.
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Zz9pza — 13 years ago(December 31, 2012 01:10 PM)
If Tom loyalties were truly 100% with the USSR, he and the Russians would have owned Bryce. Which I guess was the original intent of the mission. Tom fell in love, and after Susan was killed, his own personal mission was revenge on both sides. Bringing down Bryce meant the Russians couldnt use him. That would be justice for Susans killer, and a slap in the face to the Russians for putting him in her path to start with. After this I believe Tom would have lived a very dangerous, and very short life.
I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own. -
AnthonySocksss — 1 year ago(October 13, 2024 03:19 AM)
People who claim the movie didn’t need the twist are imbecilic.
If Pharrell was not Yuri, then he would have never fallen in love with Sean Young’s character to begin with. You people think he bumped into her by accident? He was specifically ordered to become her lover to get closer to the Secretary of Defense. Without that entire plot line, the investigation into Yuri would have never started nor ended with Pritchard being the fall guy, and closing the loop for the Soviet Union to continue putting a mole in the Pentagon.
Melton1 Wanted for Pedophilia:
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