Help me with the ending
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xsomanymoviessolittletimex — 11 years ago(April 22, 2014 09:08 PM)
I hate movies without resolution at the end where it's left up to the audience to make up their own end. And just as I was saying that to my husband it ended!! The intelligent part of my brain had to think, well, she's not going very far. She doesn't have her purse, or money or credit card or drivers license AND she's in her pajamas!!
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tgemberl — 11 years ago(April 23, 2014 11:44 AM)
As I said, I think when she stops by the side of the road, she may be thinking of going back. But she probably decides not to. The ending does leave you hanging, but I think the person who responded to me got it right.
"Extremism in the pursuit of moderation is no vice." -
zwot — 11 years ago(April 24, 2014 09:03 AM)
At the end, Barbara hugs her mother, says "you're the strong one," and then drives away. What's the meaning of that?
Barbara has realized that "she's her mother" as women often say. We saw hints of that throughout the film: Barb is just as strong-willed and sharp-tongued as Vi, but it's not obvious because Vi's behavior is exaggerated when she's on pills. Barb finally realizes it in the scene where Ivy rushes out after Vi tells her that Charles is Ivy's brother. Barb chases after Ivy and says, "
She
told you, not me." Ivy replies, "It's the same thing." That's when it hits Barb. She walks back into the house and looks at herself in the mirror by the door, with a look that says, "Who am I?!?"
So when Vi starts going on about who's stronger, Barb realizes it's pointless to argue because, basically, she'd be arguing with herself. So she agrees, and leaves. She knows she can't stay because two Violets would just rip each other apart. She may also be fleeing a truth she just can't or won't deal with right now.
BTW, you can ignore that last scene where Barb pulls off the road, looks at the landscape, and then drives away with a hopeful look on her face. That was not part of the film, originally, and it was never part the play. The producer only added it to the film after test audiences demanded a happy ending for Barb. -
zwot — 11 years ago(April 24, 2014 10:57 AM)
I don't know where you got that from, because Tracy Letts says otherwise:
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2014/01/why-august-osage -county-is-better-onstage-than-onscreen.html
EDIT: linked the URL -
zwot — 11 years ago(April 24, 2014 02:15 PM)
Hmmm I think I need to dig deeper before I know what I think
I looked again at the URL I posted earlier and noted that it was actually Wells (the director) who supports what I said, not Letts, so it's not conclusive evidence. Your link seems to support what you say, but I note that Letts' statements came on a conference call which Weinstein participated in as well. I can't help but think Letts may have been following the party line as laid down by Weinstein. He can be a
very persuasive
fellow, as we all know
I'm not arguing with you, I'm just not sure at this point. The scene didn't feel right when I saw the film, so it was easy to believe what I've heard about it being tacked on for non-artistic purposes. I'll have to look further before I decide what to believe. -
zwot — 11 years ago(April 25, 2014 11:58 PM)
I just watched the film again and I've come around to your point of view the "Barb driving down the highway" ending does improve the film.
On first viewing I was so blown away by the "eat your f'ing fish" scene that I was distracted during the "motel/Bev's note/safety deposit box" scene that follows. That scene is more redemptive for Barb than I realized before. She doesn't leave just because it's pointless to argue with Vi, she leaves because she's horrified that Vi's willful pride stood in the way of stopping Bev's suicide.
Barb, newly aware that she's her mother, determines not to go down the same road. Showing her driving her own road helps make that clear, since her break with Vi was so abrupt. I had the advantage of watching the film on DVD and still it took me two tries to figure out what happened, so I can just imagine how shell-shocked theatergoers were uncertain about the original ending. -
Errington_92 — 10 years ago(January 02, 2016 11:53 AM)
That scene is more redemptive for Barb than I realized before.
She doesn't leave just because it's pointless to argue with Vi, she leaves because she's horrified that Vi's willful pride stood in the way of stopping Bev's suicide.
Exactly, Barb saw the devastating results bitterness can cause in a relationship. I felt that Barb was driving back home to give her marriage another try, determined never to become her Mother.
I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not. -
loreal3 — 11 years ago(December 26, 2014 04:10 PM)
I hate movies that end without resolution as well! As this was ending I was thinking a good ending would be for Violet to shoot herself.
This was a story about very mean people NOT strong women.
Acting was outstanding
Casting was great -
Ltay328 — 11 years ago(April 24, 2014 10:04 AM)
Well, the sign on the road in the direction she's headed says Colorado or Denver. I think it's safe to say she's headed back to her family. Otherwise, there'd be no point in showing the sign. Also, as far as her pajamas, yeah it could be a new beginning - but I took very on the surface in that, since she's headed home, she's got clothes there. She doesn't need to go back for clothes. And she can have Joanna send her purse if its really necessary.
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zwot — 11 years ago(April 26, 2014 12:20 AM)
The only thing that really bugs me about her leaving without her purse is that the sign said 645 miles to Denver. She's gonna need to buy gas. But it would've ruined the drama of the scene if she had done it any differently, so I can live with it.