MovieChat Forums > The Woman on the Beach Discussion > Missed the ending

Missed the ending

posted 17 years ago by smoke0
7 replies | jump to latest

I watched up to the part where the local police hesitates a bit before calling in the Coast Guard or whoever he dials after Joan decides that Ryan might kill her husband while out fishing. I read through some comments containing spoilers so I know the ending, but that leaves a big chunk still missing.
I assume there was a lot of film on the cutting room floor since I was pretty confused about Joan's motives up to the point at which I had to stop watching, so can anyone clarify what happened and if the film clarified anything at the end as well?

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] smoke0 13 years ago

Thanks for the reminder! :)

Revenge is a dish that best goes stale.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

Some messages seem to have been deleted so I don't know if anyone provided an answer. If not, I provided my thoughts on the ending along with plot info on the thread that's titled 'ambiguous ending'. Hope it helps!

[–] smoke0 9 years ago

Thanks, I read your post, and after having seen parts of the movie I didn't see before ( still have not seen it in its entirety! ) I feel you are right on the mark with everything except Joan's obsession - I think she was so invested in getting the money from the paintings that once that possibility was gone, she was just empty, so she stood by her husband because there was nothing else at that point for her to do.

Revenge is a dish that best goes stale.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

I can't agree with that. Here's why:

- I believe, in her own way, Peggy loves Tod. The nostalgic scenes reveal the life they had prior to his 'accident'. In those scenes it's clear remnants remain of the love they shared. I think she's eager for him to change and suggests selling the paintings as a way to move on and generate an income. She may even use the men she gets involved with as a way to get his attention. She goes about it all wrong so instead of bringing him back he gets possessive, resentful, and uses the situation to antagonize her and the men.

- She did hide one of his paintings but it's because it was a nude portrait of her that Tod used to embarrass her. She knows there's no way she can sell any of the painting while Tod's still alive. As he told Scott, all the dealers know him.

- Tod's blindness increased the value of his paintings but they would be worth even more after his death. Yet, each time there's the possibility he would die, Peg steps in to save him. This is also true at the end. She does seem to be focused on saving the paintings but I feel it's because she knew they were his obsession and their only means of support. Her concern was for him and it looks like she's losing him for good but once he voices his plans, she sees that the he's different and there is hope.

- Scott goes to her when she calls. Even though he feels he's recovered from her spell he tells Eve he must know. Peg does not know this. As soon as he arrives she could run off with him and let Tod burn but she doesn't. After the paintings are gone again they could run off together but she doesn't suggest it. Finally, when Tod releases her, she doesn't run to Scott, she goes to Tod. She doesn't have to take him anywhere especially now that they've lost everything. The only thing that remains is her love for him and the willingness they both now have to start over.

- Had she gone to Scott and he rejected her, which he likely would have, then it could be said she was empty, had nothing else, and went with Tod by default. That's not what happened. As far as she knew she still could go with Scott; she could also have gone off on her own. Still, she willingly chose Tod.