MovieChat Forums > All Is Lost (2013) Discussion > I think he made it and here is why.

I think he made it and here is why.

posted 10 years ago by rlb-10
6 replies | jump to latest

After watching it for the first time I had questions about the ending. For me the whole movie was a bit frustrating. The viewer is not given much back story but there are plenty of subtle clues on the second view. More on that at a later post.
Here is my take on the ending. There is a boat in the end with a light which has a white hull visible with moonlight. The fact the light is not that bright makes many viewers think the vessel is far away. It also clearly is not a huge vessel like a container ship more of a large fishing boat. After setting the raft on fire just about anybody would admit that is a scene you never encounter that far out and would be compelled to investigate understanding time is of the essence. As he sinks underwater you can see the size of his burning raft against the size of the rescue boat. It as a small fast tender for the larger fishing vessel which is not that far away. The lights shining down in the water show they knew to be looking for a man in or under the water. Anyone would understand that this just happened a few minutes ago and any survivors would have to be in the water. The film makers and Redford were delighted to find the ending had become a bit ambiguous to some viewers as it did for me on the first view. I think they were just looking for a clean ending.
bob

[–] amybeth222-792-296033 10 years ago

Yeah! I like him being saved at the end vs. drowning!

[–] 10 years ago

[deleted]

[–] klaatoo999 10 years ago

**WARNING**SPOILERS**

I too think that's what happens at the end. All the elements of that last scene are pretty consistent, and I think they point toward that conclusion (that he is saved). He sees a light in the distance--sets the boat on fire--jumps into the water--starts to sink, having lost all hope after being unable to see the ship approaching--the ship approaches (after spotting the fire)--he sees the ship, regains hope--starts swimming toward the surface--gets rescued. I think the title of the film also alludes to that. "All is lost" is usually used within the context of "When you think all is lost...". So, I think the message in the end is that when you think "all is lost", there's still hope.

[–] dab6 10 years ago

Right, and there's nothing in the film prior to that scene that could be considered metaphysical.

[–] FilmWatchingPerson 9 years ago

That's my interpretation too. He was lucky that when the boat caught fire, that someone saw it. But, the rescue was real in my eyes. I fully support the right of other viewers to have other interpretations.

[–] jezfernandez 9 years ago

It never occurred to me that the ending might be ambiguous (until I came on IMDB). If he dies at the end, it becomes a pointless story. What was the purpose in showing him overcome setback after setback, only to die and meet "God"? If he did "cross over", did he know he was crossing over or did he still think he was being rescued? The rescue boat was small and the sailor was clearly hunting around in the water with a flashlight. Redford's face is one of surprise and delight and having been finally rescued when he thought "all was lost".

I know the director thinks he died because that's what he wanted at that point. However, it makes the rest of the movie redundant, especially as we don't see the character go through any kind of change or development.