Every single time i see the end of this film my eyes get watery and the fountains go on full strength. It's just such a powerful ending. Im glad the character figure out that in the end to God size doesnt matter.
shareI've seen the movie several times, but not for many years. My feeling, at the end, is one of a quiet relief, a peace.
As I recall, the final soliloquy addressed understanding of both Divine, and Natural fate...a continuation, or oneness, with whatever you embrace. It was neither "preachy," nor offensive.
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I don't know how many of you have read the book, but in the book when Scott is stuck in the basement, Louise is upstairs and puts on some music. Listening to the music, Scott feels like he's back in Louise's world, connected through the music. I forget how it's worded, but it's done in a *beep* way.
shareIt's a sad ending. I haven't read the book. But if he wandered out in the garden, I'm afraid he would get killed by insects. Insects are very strong and very fast. And they have absolutely no pity ... they just do what they do ...
Frank Booth: You stay alive, baby. Do it for Van Gogh.
When I was a kid,I didn't realize he was shrinking to an other universe.I originally thought he accepted the fact that he would disappear into nothing and wasn't scared by it.Like the way the Little Mermaid accept the fact she will turn in to sea foam for not killing her beloved prince, witch would have returned her back to her family in the sea.But yes,I did shed a tear too.
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Having given this some thought, the ending being left open ended like it is may mean he lives to tell his story and so is not so sad after all. I mean, how else was he able to tell his story after the events?
shareTogether with the ending of "Once upon a time in the west" this is the best ending in the history of cinema....
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I've lost count of how many times I have watched this film since the Fifties. I know it's well over 100 times. I'm not sure I cried as a child, but I likely started doing so in my teens, especially after losing a best friend and a mentor.
I just finished watching it and am drying tears. It's wonderful to read that it has this effect on others. I've always found it a touching film because it really does connect to some of the feelings that go with terminal illnesses as well as chronic conditions, of which most of my family members are afflicted, including myself. Scott maps the journey from affliction through the struggles of fighting back and hoping that this will work, now this one HAS to... At the end, though, he realizes that he still matters in spite of the changes. He faces the unknown at the last.
I've heard some say that it would be fascinating to see that other world. After all, Scott speculates that he might not be the only one to undergo this change, that he could be "the man of the future" (I believe he says). In childhood, I came across a comic book, one of a short-lived series, in which just such a microscopic world was explored. I don't recall the title now, but it always made me think of Scott Carey when I reread it. Who knows? Maybe it was inspired by the film/novel. I do have a worn copy of the novel, with a cover of the spider looming over the tiny man.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
The writing is in the movie is so much deeper than anything Hollywood turns out today. They examine how the shrinking affects not just his physical world but also his spiritual and moral being. Great special effects for it's time too. I have it on VHS and I DVR tonight.
shareWhat shocks me are the people who write it off as~cringe~cheesy and cite the poor(!) special effects~meaning non-CGI I suppose. It's as if they miss that depth completely, that it isn't simply a man being reduced in size, just a gimmick.
I am a great admirer of Richard Matheson and what he gives us in his works. He's right up there with Ray Bradbury for me, another author who layers his work with meaning.
I recall the dreadful remake that made a joke of the story as they came up with bits with giant-size props for Lily Tomlin. I fear they would do much the same thing with another remake; we'd be awash with CGI, and the poetry and philsophical thoughts would be tossed aside. They'd have Scott doing those leap-through-the-air-while-brandishing-weapon bits, the stuff used in practically every action "flick" in recent memory.
I loved coming to the forum and finding many people who love this film and are touched by it.
*** The trouble with reality is there is no background music. ***
You'd have to be pretty hard hearted not to be moved by this film and it's unforgettable ending.
Yes, sir, I'm going to do nothing like she's never been done before!
A truly great piece of film making! It will never get it's due in Hollywood b/c it's too "spiritual" at times. As for the special effects, they did an incredible job considering how long ago this was made. Today they'd use CGI (and over use them) and of course they'd be cheesy and silly looking.
Look at the current crop of movies like "Van Helsing" and "Underworld", etc. All have totally over used CGI and they look ridiculous! The characters don't look real at all. I'd prefer they use old-timey special effects or costumes rather than CGI...
I agree w/ all of you who are tsking a stand outside the CGI box. (I hate that phrase -- but for our purposes, it's perfect.) Yes == the whole CGI thing for this generation has framed their world vision of graphics and how a movie is made -- but the truth is, that the brain doesn't process things that way, or that fast -- and our antiquated (for lack of a better word) methods were more realistic.
Bring them back.
oh -- and yes -- i've seen the movie probably about 50-60 times since I was a child, having always been a fan of science fiction. I'm now not yet <ick, cough, choke) 60 and love this movie and do cry. I taped last night's showing. I'm about to stir a martini (sorry, Mr. Bond... stirred, NOT shaken!) and sit down to watch it for the umpteenth time.
Be well everyone.
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