MovieChat Forums > Sorcerer (1977) Discussion > Ending (spoilers)

Ending (spoilers)

posted 4 years ago by Drooch (5333)
41 replies | jump to latest

What are we supposed to make of the slow zoom in on Scanlon at the end, after he has been given his cheque and Manzon’s letter?

It seems that he ‘realises that he will never get his money’, like he knows he will be killed. If this is the case, are we to believe that the oil company guy was intending to have him killed? That guy didn’t seem to be that malevolent, and the money would be a pittance for such a giant company.

Then of course Scanlon is killed, but by mobsters. Were they in league with the oil company? Seems unlikely that the company would join forces with the New Jersey mob, it’s not like they needed the mob to kill Scanlon, anyone could do that.

Doesn’t it make more sense for Scanlon to feel like he has ‘won’ then bring in the tragedy of the mob finding and killing him? That slow zoom implies he knows he will be killed, but at that point he never suspects the mob will find him.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Any thoughts on this?

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 2 years ago

No, because your question makes no sense. Watch the movie again

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

I’ve seen it multiple times and it remains unclear. Either provide a helpful answer or get the fuck out of my thread.

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 2 years ago

You need to watch the movie again. It flew way over your head

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

You need to either provide a helpful answer or get the fuck out of my thread.

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 2 years ago

Watch the movie again and you’ll get your answer

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

I’ve seen it multiple times and it remains unclear. If you had an answer you’d say it. You don’t, so you can fuck off.

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 2 years ago

Do you always get this angry when you get schooled?

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

You’re projecting your own rage at your own failed trolling attempt here, not a good look.

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 2 years ago

Rage? Haha, go back and read your responses haha

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

As I said - failed trolling. All you’ve done is make a complete prick of yourself in front of everyone.

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 2 years ago

Still rating hahah. This is too easy.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

‘Rating’? WTF are you talking about?

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 2 years ago

Typo
“Raging”
You’re such an angry person
And you’re too easy to string along. I’m your puppet master

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

FFS watching you try and troll is pure cringe 🤦🏻‍♂️

[–] Fondofpeanuts (1) 10 months ago

That ain't a nice way to behave, man. Be chiller

[–] Golfaddict666 (523) 10 months ago

You’re a douche

[–] SteveG (1370) 2 years ago

In no way Have I ever thought that the oil company had anything to do with Scanlons murder.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Interesting. So what do you make of the slow zoom on Scanlon where he appears resigned to never getting his money and possibly being murdered?

[–] SteveG (1370) 2 years ago

Im not sure honestly. Its right after oil guy gives him the letter to mail. Which to me means oil guy expects him to reach his destination and mail the letter, otherwise why bother to give him the letter?

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Good point.

This all makes it even weirder that Scanlon seems resigned to failure/death. Why dance with the old woman as if it’s the last thing he’ll ever do when there’s every chance he may still get his money..?

[–] SteveG (1370) 2 years ago

I must admit it does seem as though the scene portends his resignation and delaying his departure is curious. Especially since the mob hitmen do not show up until after those events. It would be interesting to see if there is any commentary by Friedkin about this scene and what he has to say about it…. Maybe on the hardcopy dvd/blu.

[–] SteveG (1370) 2 years ago

All i can find is this.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BOc__mvXcOg

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

That’s a hilarious interview, not least because Friedkin sounds freakishly like Trump, but also because he and Refn are both belligerent assholes 👏🏻

I’ve listened to numerous Friedkin interviews and he doesn’t seem to elaborate on the ending, he just talks about Sorcerer being about ‘the mystery of fate’.

The more I think about it the more it seems this was another muddled ending from Friedkin, much like the endings of Cruising and To Live And Die In LA.

[–] Mulletor (533) 2 years ago

Maybe they were just really dedicated hitmen from the mob and like Angel Eyes from "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly". When they are paid to do a job they see it through to the finish.

Edit addition: Even if it means they had to go to some shithole country to do it.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Sure but do you think they were working in tandem with the oil company, and do you think the company never had any intention of paying Scanlon?

[–] Mulletor (533) 2 years ago

I believe they were there on their own accord. The oil company probably had local talent that would do a hit job for them, or just hire someone in the bar like they did the drivers on promise of a big payday to do it.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

I dunno. The oil manager dude might have been somewhat morally dubious but he didn’t seem evil, and that money would have been a pittance for a gigantic energy company. Seems like less hassle to just pay the guy, rather than pay someone else to kill him and have to deal with the issues that come with murder.

Obviously he dies anyway because of the mob, but I still don’t quite get why Scanlon is certain he’s screwed.

[–] thingmakersback (1375) 2 years ago

Sounds right to me. I don't see how there's a question, really. The Oilman clearly was presenting the check, along with a connection to get it cashed, plus a recommendation to help Scanlon get work. He may be shady but he seems like a stand-up guy. The mob guys have traced Scanlon and we will never know how, but I see no reason to believe the oil company has anything to do with their showing up.

Scanlon can't be certain that he's screwed, but he is obviously not feeling real optimistic... He just barely got out of that last scrape. Only we KNOW that he's doomed.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

That all sounds about right. I just don’t get the slow zoom on Scanlon and his subsequent dancing with the old crone as if it’s all over, like he has given up.

He faced real obstacles where giving up would have been quite reasonable on his truck adventure, but there’s still a good chance he’ll get his money, it’s a least worth the trip to find out, plus Scanlon’s a smart guy - he’d be on the lookout for people trying to whack him. If he doesn't get the money then he can pay the Oilman a visit and get even. He has plenty of options left.

It seems like another muddled Friedkin ending, as we also saw with Cruising and To Live And Die In L.A.

[–] Druff (1796) 2 years ago

The main theme of the movie is that nobody can escape their fate. Each of the four men came to that shithole to escape their fate, they each in their own way had a death sentence hanging over them. They each meet their doom. The ending is poetic. At first it seems like Scanlon made it, but the scene is saying that in his heart of hearts he knows he can't escape his fate any more so than the other three men did. He doesn't know there are men coming for him, and if he did he wouldn't know if they were from the mob or the oil co. or the bank or whatever. Those details are irrelevant to the theme.

With no more than a fraction of a second of thought spent on it, I assumed they were mob.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

I get all that and it’s a good theme, but it just doesn’t make sense for Scanlon to abandon all hope in that moment.

We know it was the mob because it’s the same mob characters we met earlier, including his friend, who has clearly turned traitor.

The theme would be better expressed by having Scanlon see the mobsters approaching and then have the realisation that all hope is lost, and sit there and accept this fate. Or even still dance with the old crone knowing full well he’s about to get a bullet in the head and not care.

[–] Druff (1796) 2 years ago

That's what I meant about it being poetic. Scanlon realizes his fate is going to catch up with him without seeing the men outside, or having anything particular happen. He just has a moment of clarity.

After it was over I almost went back to the beginning to see if they were the same guys from the other crew lead by the priest's brother. Can't believe I didn't notice his friend among them.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Just doesn’t make sense for receiving a check to trigger a moment of clarity. Receiving a check is a win, it’s not the cash prize he was hoping for but it was far from over. Seeing the mob arrive would signify that it’s over.

As I mentioned, it’s not the first muddled ending from Friedkin.

[–] Druff (1796) 2 years ago

You're looking at it realistically. IMO it's not realistic, but poetic. The whole movie is surreal and poetic.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

The film has philosophical concerns and indulges in symbolism, but it’s not an abstract or surreal film - it takes place in the real world, has an airtight plot and consistent characters.

That’s why the nonsensical behaviour of Scanlon at the end is jarring, and why it would have been better to have him see the gangsters approach and then give up hope, rather than when he had just been handed a check.

[–] moviechatter2526 (147) 2 years ago

It heavily implies he's about to be killed. That's why you have the long close up shot of his face, he's realizing he's about to die, and why he asks the woman for a dance. All that, only to be killed for his efforts in the end. He is in hell, after all.

[–] Daf (150) 2 years ago

Scanlon doesn't literally know that there are hitmen coming in a few minutes to kill him. Rather, everything about the conversation he's having reminds him of his station in life and that sooner or later he's going to get what's coming to him and he probably deserves it. Because he's a criminal, and there's no changing that.

But he can accept that now. He's bittersweet, not despondent: his eyes are sad but he actually has a sort of odd Mona Lisa smile. He doesn't have to run from fate so desperately, he can stop and smell the roses. Because he proved to himself that he isn't *just* a criminal.

This isn't a tragic ending, but a quietly victorious one.

[–] Johnnyhads (1) a year ago

So I had the same question. After re-watching the scene I believe it was the letter that triggered Scanlons realization that he’s going to die. The oil company promised him cash, but instead wrote him a check. Scanlons smart enough to realize that’s worthless to him regardless of the oil mans bullshit story. But when he gives him the letter, he realizes the guy doesn’t give a shit about any of them. He could’ve sent the letter weeks ago, if he wanted to. But it’s one last piece of garbage in his possession from these 4 idiots. So he disposed of it by giving it to Scanlon. That’s when Scanlon realizes… oh fuck, it’s over. I’m finished. I’m on my own now, and I’m either gonna die at the hands of the cartel, the crooked police, or the mob from the States will eventually find me. It was all for nothing. So he gets up, and asks for one last dance in his expiring life, knowing he’s a dead man.

[–] johnmiller (3889) a year ago

Well, I think that he's simply numbed by all that's happened. And, dancing with someone is the closest he's been to humanity for some time. I think that he was going to get the money and he was finally going to have a shot at a normal existence.

But, then, in Friedkin's dark vision, it is all short lived as the mobsters have come to get him. The End.

[–] elmacho (980) 3 months ago

I believe that when Scanlon sees the letter he realizes that he doesn't have anybody. If he died nobody would have blinked an eye or even cared/knew. So he decides to dance with the lady to feel a bit more human.