MovieChat Forums > Head Over Heels (1982) Discussion > Happy Ending Was Perfect!

Happy Ending Was Perfect!

posted 20 years ago by lowrates
18 replies | jump to latest

Why does everyone have a problem with this movie having a happy ending? That is the only version I ever saw, and I loved the movie. I have no desire to see the "doctored" version. And it was called Head Over Heels back then, not the Scenes of Winter or whatever. I guess that must have been a marketing ploy to re-relase it as a new movie or something. After close to 25 years, it still stands out as one of the best I have seen. And the ending was perfect. What is wrong with warm and fuzzy endings? I like happy endings, why doesn't anyone else here? Has anyone else seen the happy ending version? What do you think? Thanks, Burt

[–] bruce-129 20 years ago

I think I can remember back to when I saw this, one of my
favorite movies ever in the theater. I was rooting for
Charles the whole way through. What was wrong with Laura
for not seeing this. As I watched the movie, really thinking
about it I wondered why do we the audience care.

Charles needs to figure out what is wrong with him and get
on with this life, and Laura is a complete b*tch.

These two people are obviously not ready to have a relationship,
and sometimes it would be nice if movies would not just
always take the direction that love solves everything, and
people go sailing off into the sunset.

In my experience it does not happen, thought I wish it
did, and if and when it does, and they figure out how to capture
it on film, they should or write a documentary about it.

Because seeing these endless happy love stories or silly loves
stories that are happy or sad does not do us Americans anyway
any favors, we are already more insulated from reality and
live in fantasy more than any other people ever on the face of
the Earth.

So, I did not want Charles and Laura to get together, and I as
totally proud of Charles as he went back to the room and confronted
Laura and himself and collapsed his dream of denial and decided to
get on with his life.

The "sad" so-called ending as some people are saying was what made
this movie the incredibly tragic and hilarious real life kind of
movie that it was. Such totally human movie that I try to show
to as many people as possible to see what they think. Most people
really like this movie.

It is one of my top 10, and I would buy the DVD in a second if they
ever came out with it ... hint hint if anyone ever reads this!

[–] jep831 19 years ago

I agree. Charles learned at the end to appreciate the little things, such as the fact that the blind vendor was his friend.

[–] sarasvati2000 18 years ago

Laura is not a "complete bitch" in this movie. This is a woman in a quandary over the reasons she separated from what she called a "perfectly good husband" and getting involved with another perfectly good man. She figures she should have just stayed by herself instead of becoming happy with someone else, because that means she must have been unhappy with her husband. It's all black and white with her, with no grey areas. If she is a "bitch" she is bitchy and angry with herself, not Charles. Charles just makes it hard for her to be angry with herself or at herself. Jeez...reducing a complex womans feelings to "complete bitch" is so short-sighted...

[–] hoov-4 16 years ago

Very well said Bruce! I agree with you.

[–] Mike Richards 19 years ago

I have never seen the happy ending version. While working in radio broadcasting the early-mid 1980s, I and two other colleagues went to a private theatrical screening. Very private, as we were the only ones in the theatre. :)

I'll say I was a bit frustrated with the ending. In the media package we received it discussed the re-cut ending. If I remember correctly, the producer, director, whoever, decided that the re-cut version fit much closer to the novel. That's why the ending was changed.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] PenTheater 18 years ago

I read an article, a long time ago in a trade journal, a discussion with Joan Micklin Silver that said after initial realease they ran it with some test audiences and they voted for the sad but perhaps more realistic ending. So we are all stuck with that ending because who knows, maybe that audience's life sucked!
As for the happy ending not being realistic and therefor creating an illusion for Americans, well gee I thought movies were supposed to be entertainment.

Big ass church weddings that cost thousands of dollars with "til death do you part" in real life, now that's the illusion.

Let's go to a movie!
P.S. When the DVD ever comes out, I sure hope they give us both endings.

"Janis, how can I get it if she won't come out of her A-frame?"

[–] david_foss 18 years ago

I, too, prefer the happy ending. Partly because I saw the original film several times when it was first released. The recut version is still a wonderful film (I have watched the video numerous times), but I, too, am hoping that when and if it is released on DVD (along with Silver's earlier film, Between the Lines, also starring Heard), it will include both endings.
"I like to rub yogurt on my nipples, it makes 'em pink."

[–] treadway237 18 years ago

I'd love to see the happy ending version, called "Head Over Heels." I have such affection for Charles and Laura, I have to admit I'd enjoy seeing things work out for them. However, at the same time, I adore "Chilly Scenes of Winter" (the "unhappy" ending version) because it seems so true to life. Often, in relationships, we feel as if the world will end if the love we're experiencing fails to work out. But the reality is, when relationships end, life goes on. The world isn't designed for our happiness, and this is something we need to remember in order to survive. Regarding the people who seem to like "happy endings" better than sad ones: I like to be entertained just as much as the next guy, but this doesn't mean I like to be lied to in the process. I'd much rather see a movie that speaks to reality, because I believe movies have the power to instruct someone on how to handle disappointment. People who require happy endings to their movies are addicted to fantasy and, ultimately, fantasy is for cream puffs who can't stomach the real world. The indelible image of Charles running, running, running off his disappointment at the end of "Chilly Scenes" is one imbued with strength and hope, not crushing depression. At any rate, I look forward to the day when I get to see both endings on a DVD, and can thereby make a more educated assessment as to which ending is better.

[–] aroth15 18 years ago

treadway--I think your comment about why "sad" endings are preferable to most typical Hollywood-crap endings is very insightful. I don't think that I necessarily agree with your comment that movies "have the power to instruct someone on how to handle disappointment," but your statement "the reality is, when relationships end, life goes on" is completely on the nose.

Allen Roth
"I look up, I look down..."

[–] jthelin 17 years ago

I saw the original when it was named “Head Over Heels,” which I felt was a less than thrilling replacement for “Chilly Scenes of Winter.” Having read, and loved, Ann Beattie’s novel, I was excited to see this release, which did not disappoint. Several years later I dragged some friends to its re-release (now as “Chilly Scenes…”) and was stunned to find a completely different ending, which I did not care for at the time. Having watched the second version several times since then I can now see its appeal. Still, Charles would have NEVER given Laura up, so I still prefer the “Happy” ending. However, I take issue with calling Ending #1 “Happy.” Yes, Charles and Laura wind up together, with him saying “I guess I got my way,” and she agreeing. But there’s something a bit creepy about that – and well there should be, given their mutual neurotic/narcissistic obsessions. This was also true to the way Beattie ended her novel. Oddly, I recall reading once that Beattie actually preferred the “Sad” revised conclusion. I have always wondered why. Whatever the case, this is a perfect example of a long-needed DVD release that includes BOTH versions. It should also have an audio commentary from the criminally underused director, Joan Micklin Silver, and from the two leads, John Heard and Mary Beth Hurt, both brilliant actors who most always deliver yet who are largely ignored by the public at large. As an aside: the scenes in The Sopranos between Heard & Gandolfini should be required viewing & study for film acting classes. I’m glad to see that Heard was at least nominated for an Emmy, his only one, for this guest starring role.

[–] agedmeat 17 years ago

Chilly Scenes ending was just the Head over Heels movie with the last few minutes removed [ and of course different title] that's all!! The original ending shows Laura back at Charle's house[ in the kitchen on the phone, then on the chair explaining a recipe, all the time professing their love for one another and talking about her keeping the key. Very nice ending for the romance in all of us[I hope all] Chilly is same movie but with abrupt[abbreviated] ending with Charles in the park[running stopping and turning and then the freeze; movie goes to credits] Not satisfying at all once you have seen the original Head Over Heels version. I was lucky enough to tape the movie on VHS with original title and ending on HBO back in [I believe 1980 or 81]

[–] meimeinyc 17 years ago

Because both of them are not ready.
Laura had to work on her own to come to terms for herself, she is not being a bitch, she prob. just didn't want to make the same mistake - committ too quick like her first marriage, 'cause if she can cheat on Ox, she might cheat on Charles too if she is not ready.
She obiously had her own issues about men (like she said herself), she need to do it right this time, I admire her courage to turn Charles down, because it was so easy to say 'yes' instead of working on finding what she really want in life and men, what I like about the movie is that it's true most men don't see that and since Charles had already waited for a whole year for Laura, she should have communicated with him a little better when he knocked on her door that last time...

[–] ofumalow 16 years ago

The reason many people prefer the "unhappy" ending is because Laura was, is, and no doubt will remain so deeply conflicted about what she wants that an abrupt pasted-on ending (which it was, as ordered by the studio or producers or whatever) suggesting they'll live happily ever after just rings false. I don't totally love the "unhappy" ending either--or at least the final running running running all-demons-expunged triumphant freeze frame! aspect of it. That just seems trite. But the way in which their relationship can't/won't resolve the way he so intensely needs it to feels psychologically credible in a way the "happy" ending doesn't. It isn't really an unhappy ending, anyway--it's happy in that he realizes she can never love him as he loves her, and that he needs to find the will to move on from that expectation.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] arizonamelanie 14 years ago

I don't see either ending as happy or unhappy. But I do prefer the ending where they don't get together. To me, it makes more sense. It was an unhealthy relationship. He was obsessed (to the point of being creepy) and she was conflicted and needed to figure out what she wanted. There could never really be a 'happily ever after' for them.

As to the original question posted here - yes, I like happy endings too, but a "warm and fuzzy ending" just doesn't fit the tone of the rest of the movie. It's not a cutesy, romantic comedy. I liked the movie, thought it was interesting and really enjoyed the performances, but I wasn't rooting for these two to get together.

[–] preppy-3 13 years ago

I didn't see it when it first came out as "Head Over Heels" but I did see it when it was reissued under this title. Back then there was a small controversy over which ending was better. I've never seen the happy ending but the unhappy (sort of) ending fit the tone of the movie perfectly. It was sadly realistic and made more sense. Nothing against happy endings but I think in this movie it would have seemed like a cop out.

[–] apollos54 13 years ago

The ending is appropriate. Although the story is told thru his eyes, the one making the real decision in this was her. She wasn't happy with her husband and really we saw how overbearing Charles was with her, that she was better off without him as well. I wouldn't have believed them ending up happily ever after, as the probability of her leaving him in the future would have been pretty high.