I could probably write a long response, but instead I'll just try a few points.
Mac is deeply affected by Furness, but the townsfolk have lived with the beauty all their lives - they don't see it the same way he does.
Early on, it seems Mac is orperating very much as he always had. If you notice the first scene in the Board room, one executive says they have to buy Furness for $60 million. Mac's first offer is very low given he knows he has $60 mil to play with. By the time of the Caileh(sp) Gordon asks "pounds or dollars?". Mac says he doesn't care.
And after its all over, the townspeople are not completely dejected. Far from it. Gordon, seems a little down, but points out there will be 'work and money'. They want Mac's autograph - and are disappointed they didn't "get to say cheerio".
The ending isn't really bleak at all. Happer has a new interest, Danny has a chance with Marina, there will be jobs and money in Furness. Oddly, Mac seems do be the only one who is unhappy, banished back to Houston. Although I like to think that Mac will finally get a girl to date him in Houston and stay happy as long as he can reach his freshly painted phone box now and again.
You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design
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summerislefan
14 years ago
Thanks for the response, i suppose it wasn't as bleak a world view as i made out, maybe I'm just a cynical person. I've heard Forsyth describe the film as a 'cross between Apocalypse Now and Brigadoon' i wonder what he meant by that?
Yarbles!,Great Bolshy Yarblockos To You
Kubrick
Hepburn
Deschanel
-legends-
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BillK-5
14 years ago
Actually, i've always felt the phone box ringing is Mac calling to tell them that, job be damned, he's coming back for good as soon as he can sell off his stuff.
To me it's always been to some degree about the work/life balance all of us must sort out for ourselves (do you live somewhere you're unhappy for a great job, or somewhere where you're happy but have to struggle to make ends meet?)
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