MovieChat Forums > Paper Moon (1973) Discussion > Addie's staying with Moses at the end = ...

Addie's staying with Moses at the end = Positive?


The aunt seemed to love Addie; she seemed very loving when Addie showed up at her home. They seem to be wealthy. They also have a daughter (i.e. Addie's cousin) who can give her companionship.

With Moses, she will be on the road. She will engage in dishonest acts, conning people for money. Is this environment really preferable? You can make the case that she is better off with the aunt

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I wondered that myself.

On one hand I thought it was a little unsettling to see Addie ditch her aunt and her chance at a secure, if much less exciting, upbringing, and "burning a bridge" in so doing if things went sour for her later.

On the other hand, watching her and Moze in the rickety Ford model T truck fade into the distance through the back road hills of Kansas with 'Keep Your Sunny side Up' playing was a quasi-happy ending. Who knows what will befall them? It was still kinda' nice to see them together, come what may.

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From a moralistic POV, it isn't a happy ending but it is a good movie ending.

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