I was also not a fan of the montage, but I definitely felt that the final dance was a very important part of the movie.

Totally agree. More endings than "Lord of the Rings". Very good movie slightly sullied by that paint-by-numbers montage.

I agree. The acting by Lapaglia was so powerful in the car scene it would have been a really kickarse ending.
I actually thought that was the end of the movie and was surprised to see another scene follow it..

I agree wholeheartedly with Wakeinfright83 -
If you watch Sonja closely in that final scene, then it is clear that their relationship is still very much hanging in the balance.

I didn't mind the montage, but felt that the very last scene of the police officer and wife dancing was unneccesary - we'd already seen in the montage that their relationship would get back on track.

I'm surprised by the comments here.to end with the sobbing doesn't feel right at all. Leon wants to make amends and he goes about it by slow dancing with his wife in the last scene. So new information is actually revealed. He hated to dance at the beginning and is willing to show his affectionate side to Sonja who still has her doubts.
By the way, if you cut the dance scene you have removed one of my favorite scenes from contemporary Aussie film. That look she gives Leon.oh my.did you miss it? Whether to spend the rest of her life with him or not to, is incredibly powerful. Maybe instead of using words to say everything will be alright, Sonja can be certain of his actions and the adoring look in his eyes.

Some folks like an ending that "ties everything up." (I'm not saying I'm one of them.)
Samantha
"I didn't say that. The camera must have misheard me!"

Just saw this, loved it, but I totally agree.
"Do I see sheets of plastic in your future?"

I see what you mean, and that kind of ending sequence is not always necessary, but I thought a few touches were quite good; the neighbour still drinking and dancing in a kind of impenetrable somnambulism, which even her husband realises- and therefore leaves - probably being the most effective. I thought lapaglia was going to cry and have a heart attack beofore he saw his wife, ending the film on an even bleaker note. Generally a really good film though.

I just watched Lantana last night (prior to reading your post) and that was my thought exactly.it would've made the perfect ending, and the awkwardness of the last few scenes following the car crying scene is the primary reason why I gave it a 7 rather than an 8. However, some folks like having everything wrapped up for them in a nice little package..and those of us who prefer having our intelligence as a film connoisseur respected are, more frequently than not, left in the darkso to speak.

Agreed perfectly. It felt as if it didn' know when to end.