This is a pretty old topic but I’m gonna answer it anyway, I’ve got 5 min. to kill.
It’s actually quite shocking judging by this thread how so many people don’t get the ending, of her destroying the satellite and the diamond toss. So being a woman myself perhaps I can answer this adequately, since even though the book was written by a man, the screenplay was written by a man and it was directed by a man, some airheads have assigned gender as playing a roll in this egregious act, if not the prime motivator. [rolls eyes at the stupidity]
The answer: It was symbolic, she didn’t go there for a diamond. That’s about as succinct an answer as I can possibly give. But I’ll elaborate further just for fun.
Ok, from the get-go we understand that the father (Travis) is a dickwad and doesn’t give a *beep* about his own son, ok that’s understood. We also understand his first and only love is his company and anything that will help him keep his company on the forefront gets his unwavering devotion. Dr. Ross understood that, which is why she threatened him in the beginning of the movie.
But it is personal for her, she’s the ex-fiancee and obviously still cares for his son, Charles. He’s the only reason for her going.
Ok, now after everything they’ve gone through, after almost being killed in every possible way, I would imagine at some point she’s developing a pretty solid hate for the man that put them all there to begin with. It’s all because of Travis and his precious company that Charles may be dead and that they all may die, horribly. So by the time she finds out Charles’ fate, after nearly everyone they know were killed and after narrowly getting out with their lives, do any of you honestly think she gives a rat’s ass about a diamond? Or a satellite? Or the ramifications? I wouldn’t.
If I were her I would use every one of my resources as an ex-CIA agent to help me out and gouge Travis and his company.
If I were her I’d chuck the diamond too, I wouldn’t want one cent from it because it’s blood money, Charles’ blood.
Another reason to chunk it is so Travis can’t have it. Another reason to chunk is so Travis’ competitors can’t have it. No one in these super companies deserve to have access to that kind of energy source. Shooting the satellite was like shooting Travis, and since she couldn’t do that, she killed the satellite. It wasn’t as satisfying I’m sure but it’s something.
This was just my interpretation.
Just cuz u think my opinions r wrong doesn’t automatically make ur’s right--Geesh!!
reply
share
Geechee
12 years ago
VERY good answer, sweetmystique. As a female, I totally agree with your answer.
"If I don't suit chu, you kin cut mah thoat!"
reply
share
whiteyfiskman
11 years ago
Somehow I don't think "he didn't love his son enough" is going to hold up in court when she gets sued/jailed for intentionally destroying a hundred million dollar piece of corporate property. She's probably going to need to go into hiding for awhile and that diamond was her last bargaining chip in a war torn country where protection can go to the highest bidder.
reply
share
avia2
11 years ago
Didn't she work for the CIA? She could still have some friends in high places...
reply
share
Foster (878)
a year ago
What proof is there that she destroyed anything??? I only saw one operational laser, that no one knew about, and didn't she throw it away in the river when they were running to catch the balloon??
reply
share
newsfop
11 years ago
I was just a kid when this movie came out, and I never once questioned why she tossed the diamond. I thought it was rather obvious that the search or it lead to one disaster after another. Her boss was a greedy megalomaniac, and the best way to get back at him wasto disrupt his biggest cashflow source.
Anyone who's ever been mad at the company they work for fantasizes about fun and creative ways to bring the whole thing crashing down. This movie offers wish fulfilment in seeing that come to fruition. I thought it was great.
reply
share