MovieChat Forums > The Woman in Black (2012) Discussion > Does anyone else consider it a happy end...

Does anyone else consider it a happy ending?

posted 10 years ago by simplyonehellofadoctor
26 replies | jump to latest

Personally, I always thought the reason Arthur and his son died was the Woman in blacks way of thanking Arthur for trying to help her? They were in serious debt problems, he was still grieving the loss oh his wife terribly, his work made sure he was hardly around his son, ect. Am I the only person who thought the Woman in Black killed them so he could be with his wife and not be struggling so much anymore? It made sense to me, the Woman in Black had seen the other side so she knew what it was like, so she gave that to Arthur and his son to thank him. Anybody else see it?

[–] jules915 10 years ago

I agree! Also, she didn't scream like a banshee, which I took to be a sign of approval.

[–] leBratPrincess 10 years ago

I thought it as happy as well. He gave her her son, she gave him his wife. Their son would have been unhappy without his father. So I saw it as a win win.

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[–] ElectricWarlock 10 years ago

Yes, I would consider it a happy ending. Arthur and his son got to be with his wife again; the way it should've been. Just like the Woman in Black got to be re-united with her son. It's a happy ending for all involved. I didn't like the happy ending the first time I watched the film but I must've just been in a bad mood that day because I thought it was a beautiful ending this time.

[–] Cagney_1994 10 years ago

I doubt it was a happy ending for Sam or the nanny that saw what happened after.

[–] jones7418 10 years ago

Yes and no. It's nice that the man and his son were reunited with their wife and mother but the the woman in black showed a real lack of gratitude and respect for what those 2 men did to give her son a decent burial.

[–] MrRazorz 9 years ago

Nanny: Well, looks like I'm out of a job.
Sam: I've got some dogs you can look after.
Nanny: Sweet.
Sam: But you'll have to dress them in little outfits and...
Nanny: No deal. (leaves)

[–] robt-public 10 years ago

You're outta your mind..no way is a permanent dirt-nap a happy gift!

She coulda cheered him up with a dirty joke, like

Three guys are arrested in an adult book store and appear before the judge. He asks the first guy to stand:
"What is your name?" he asked.
"John," the guy answered.
"And why were you arrested?" the judge asked.
"I was by the magazine rack holding a big fat cigar and blowing smoke." he answered.
The judge didn't see anything wrong with that, so he dismissed the guy and called up the next one.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"John," the guy answered.
"Why were you arrested?" the Judge asked.
"I was by the magazine rack holding a big fat cigar and blowing smoke." he answered.
Again, the judge saw nothing offensive, 'This so-called adult store is begining to sound more like a smoking club!' he thought. So he dismissed the charge and called up the next guy.
"What's your name?? No wait, let me guess; John." he said.
"No," said the guy, "My name is Smoke."

[–] koffeenkreame41-1 10 years ago

You're outta your mind..no way is a permanent dirt-nap a happy gift!

She coulda cheered him up with a dirty joke, like

Three guys are arrested in an adult book store and appear before the judge. He asks the first guy to stand:
"What is your name?" he asked.
"John," the guy answered.
"And why were you arrested?" the judge asked.
"I was by the magazine rack holding a big fat cigar and blowing smoke." he answered.
The judge didn't see anything wrong with that, so he dismissed the guy and called up the next one.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"John," the guy answered.
"Why were you arrested?" the Judge asked.
"I was by the magazine rack holding a big fat cigar and blowing smoke." he answered.
Again, the judge saw nothing offensive, 'This so-called adult store is begining to sound more like a smoking club!' he thought. So he dismissed the charge and called up the next guy.
"What's your name?? No wait, let me guess; John." he said.
"No," said the guy, "My name is Smoke."

LMFAO, good one haha 

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[–] TheCatInTheChateau 10 years ago

Permanent dirt-nap.

Amazing. I need to incorporate this into my vocabulary. Hats off to you.

[–] lekkerland 8 years ago

You must have the special edition Blu-Ray. You've described the alternate ending in the bonus features.

[–] Brookiee124 10 years ago

I completely agree with you! Originally I was upset at the ending but realized it was for the best, and now Arthur could be with his son and wife in heaven.

I'm not sure whether WIB's intentions were good, though. But even if they weren't it was a happy accident :)

[–] blanche-2 9 years ago

It is a happy ending; the ending of the play isn't.

[–] Curtis_C_Flush 10 years ago

Bittersweet. Because on one hand, they're all dead, but on the other, they're all probably better off for it, for the reasons you mentioned.

[–] jpowers4667 10 years ago

I think you're misunderstanding. She was clearly still on a mission to take the kid and punish Arthur. You could hear her saying "never forgive, never forgive." through the house.

It was only Arthur's sacrifice and intervention that prevented the child from being claimed. His actions saved the kid from the woman, and she's clearly upset after it happens. It's not a "happy ending", but it's also not the worst ending.

[–] Urmelita 10 years ago

I, too, saw it as spoiled victory. No matter what he did for the Woman in Black and her son, she still went after his son. Yet she failed at least in the sense that her victims weren't grief stricken by what she did (some of the bystanders might have been, especially the nanny).

[–] Curtis_C_Flush 10 years ago

Look closer. I never commented on the WIB's intentions, just how things played out for Arthur and his son. I guess I don't agree with the OP's interpretation that the WIB did it as a favor to Arthur, but I do think it was somewhat of a positive ending, and the OP listed most of the reasons why.

[–] deadbodieseverywhere17 10 years ago

I have thoughts on both sides.

First, if she killed them to be "nice" and reunite them, she has a very warped idea of helping people. That said, if...life, is better on the other side, they may enjoy it and they are all together. So in essence, sort of a happy ending.

However, murdering a 4 year old boy and taking away the rest of his life is in no way a happy ending. He never gets to experience anything from graduating to having his own child.

To me, the second outweighs the first and I think it was somewhat portrayed to be a happy ending, but it isn't when you think about the boy.

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[–] Dr_Ackula 10 years ago

No, absolutely not. Never should a child and well intended father being run over by a f*king train by the will of a terrifying ghost be interpreted as a happy ending.

[–] Kellymariekitty (158) 6 years ago

😂😂😂😂😁😂😂 agreed but your comment Just made me laugh like an idiot