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Deleted Final Scene (Jezebel's transformation)

posted 13 years ago by Edward_de_Vere
11 replies | jump to latest

There were a number of filmed JL scenes that didn't make the final cut. Most of them were good, but only one of them was crucial: Jacob encountering Jezebel when returning to his ex-wife's apartment, and watching her transform into an image of Jacob himself.

In the director's commentary, Lynne said that including that scene would have been one disturbing horror too many for the film. I disagree - it would have tied all of the psychological threads of the film far more effectively than the ending that we got (Jacob ascending into heaven with his deceased son without any further wrestling with angels, demons, or himself).

[–] rogerwatersfan3 13 years ago

Although the ending as is, I find quite effective, I'd have to agree that the scene where he realizes Jezzie is a projection of his is one of the most powerful and moving scenes I've ever seen in a movie, and really belongs in the film proper. Let's hope Lyne gives us that longer cut one day.

[–] ekmyers 13 years ago

I've not seen the scene in question, but it sounds a hundred times better -- and helps to cut the scmaltz of the Macauly Culkin appearance.

ekm
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[–] Edward_de_Vere 13 years ago

I've not seen the scene in question, but it sounds a hundred times better -- and helps to cut the scmaltz of the Macauly Culkin appearance.

I think that the intent was to keep the scene of Jacob's ascent up the stairs with his son, albeit after the Jezebel scene.

The Jezebel scene would have been the perfect dramatization of Jacob's completion of purgatory prior to his ascent into heaven - otherwise most of the scene in the apartment doesn't make much sense.

By the way, if you have the DVD, I strongly recommend that you watch the deleted scenes and the short "making of" documentary in the extras.

[–] ElectricKoolaidAcid 13 years ago

This film could have used probably ALL of those "deleted scenes," because as a whole, it was confusing. Plus I've never seen a film where a dead man talks to (non-psychic) alive people and they interact back normally; it defies the laws of the paranormal just by that alone, and that's what makes it nonsensical to many viewers. I could see if he was reliving past experiences like when he was with his wife and kids, etc, but the lawyer he tried to hire would be a good example- he was not dead nor somebody from his past.

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[–] Edward_de_Vere 13 years ago

I could see if he was reliving past experiences like when he was with his wife and kids, etc, but the lawyer he tried to hire would be a good example- he was not dead nor somebody from his past.

The lawyer and various other characters were just conjured up by Jacob's imagination as he was dying. Haven't you ever dreamed of interactions with people whose names/faces/voices weren't those of individuals that you know or knew?

[–] imp32 13 years ago

The movie would have been better that way indeed, but I've got this feeling that they actually wanted to save the subtle anti-war message that might have been completely missed due to the psychological aspect then.

[–] pmdawn 12 years ago

I agree with the OP, this scene would have added so much more to the movie.

If this scene had been included, the ending would have been more satisfying.

As it is, there isn't really a reason or an explanation for his sudden "acceptance" of death or even Gabe's appearance.

Just the flashback of Louis saying that he needed to "let go", and then, the heartbeat-paced flashes from his past didn't really work for me.

I mean, Jake spent the entire movie denying that he was dead or dying, and all of a sudden he decides to give up and accept it. Why, what was the reason?

Only two things can explain this:

Perhaps the chemist/angel was giving him the info he needed to accept that he died at the hands of one of his own comrades.

But it seems the key really was Louis telling him about Meister Eckhart.

Either way, that scene should have stayed.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] GamerDon119 11 years ago

I agree. When I saw the deleted scene of her transformation, I couldn't look away. It was such a well made scene in addition to the plot. While to more mainstream audiences it may go over their heads ("Why is he seeing himself?!"), I thought it was a great confrontation where Jacob finally stands up to his demons. It is like the climax of the film, the realization for Jacob.

[–] Edward_de_Vere 9 years ago

I agree. When I saw the deleted scene of her transformation, I couldn't look away. It was such a well made scene in addition to the plot.

Furthermore, it was a great metaphor for a major theme in the film: that much of what Jacob is experiencing is a creation of his own state of mind.

[–] estocade 9 years ago

I love the movie just as it is, subtle, with minimal explanations. Who was jezzie doesn't matter, a gf, a self-projection, a lover, or someone he coveted, could be his mother for all we know, could be many people depending on the scene.