MovieChat Forums > Redbelt (2008) Discussion > How does the ending work?

How does the ending work?

posted 14 years ago by lethalweapon
7 replies | jump to latest

I mean... I loved the movie, but thought the ending took away from the tone of the rest of the movie... Too bad, cos it really was masterfully done until then.

Now what I don't understand is how the ending works at all... As far as the rest of the audience, including the grand master, and the other fighters, they just see Mike (or for those who don't know him by sight - some guy) fight with another man outside the ring, struggle for a while and emerge victorious. Ok. So what?

After this, he just walks on to the ring and everybody understands everything?

Is the scam being exposed? If so, how?

If the scam isn't exposed, then why all the honor for Mike?

I would also have liked to see an epilogue with Mike confronting the wife, meeting the student's widow, etc... But fine. So they didn't do that. But at least... how is Mike getting things cleared?
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[–] TheManInOil 13 years ago

I agree it seemed rushed. I think they just had to do it this way because we as the audience already know about the scandal so to show him exposing it would have been anti-climactic. I think we're supposed to get the sense that the old man knew that a mockery was being made of his principles and was able to grasp the situation. Even if the rest of the audience doesn't get it yet (which is possible because we don't see them), what they think isn't nearly as important to him as what the old master thinks. In short I think Mamet ended it as well as he could given the fact that it's a movie. But it does feel awkward. I gave this 9/10 for that reason.

"I'll book you. I'll book you on something. I'll find something in the book to book you on."

[–] blackninja-2 13 years ago

Watched it 10 mins ago. The ending made me cry. Incredible movie. I'm giving a 10 with no hesitation.

[–] rjethmal 13 years ago

Mike wasn't just fighting some other guy, Ricardo (I think) was the defending champion fighting in the main event against Morisaki.

The entire movie is very subtle about a lot of things. In the end, that's taken to the extreme for a few reasons, I think. We, the viewers, already know all there is to know so the story is effectively over for us. Mike's fight nets him Morisaki's belt and the Professor's red belt because they recognize "something" in him, his demeanor and attitude about fighting show in the way he defeats Ricardo and that's something they respect.

Mike stepping into the ring and asking for the microphone hints at him exposing the scam, it's not shown explicitly, but for me, I thought that was enough.

[–] horror_recidivist 10 years ago

From what I gathered, Mike may have gotten his black belt under the old man in Brazil. That's where he met his wife (Ricardo's sister) and explains his Brazilian fluency. He also calls him professor and escapes Ricardo's rear naked choke when he sees old man (the trigger).

I hadn't seen this film in years until tonight but I think the ending is perfect. Like how Joe didn't think he deserved his black belt, The viewer can't comprehend how a black belt instructor like Mike would feel receiving an honor only one man on the planet has. But remember what Mike said to Joe when he gave him the belt- respect your teacher. And it came back full circle at the end.

I also think that the old man had seen his two students take two very different paths- the homegrown one strayed from the pure path and Mike had left Brazil for whatever reason. Seeing Mike years later defeat the student who had strayed for absolutely no prize money elicited the red belt promotion. It reiterated martial arts in its purest form.

[–] CoSMiGoNoN 9 years ago

Brazilian fluency? Do you know what language do they speak in Brazil?

[–] CineFileMou 9 years ago

He obviously exposed the scam when he got the microphone. They just cut to the grandmaster giving the belt and didn't show the bit of the exposition because it would have been trite.

[–] ramjigames 9 years ago

We need to Sum up the events happened in the past and connect it to the ending.

Joe says that there is no escape for the Sleep hold. And a masterful Sleephold is an end to the fight.

Terry who says that "there is no situation you could not escape from. There is always an escape and you know the escape"

Terry escapes from the Sleep hold, which is near to impossible.

And he reversed the hold and won the battle. From impossible to Victory.

What else a Master need to witness and honor the Red belt.

Thats my opinion. Cheers