MovieChat Forums > Umberto D. (1955) Discussion > Question regarding the ending

Question regarding the ending

posted 16 years ago by filcasimiro
8 replies | jump to latest

I just saw the movie and loved it. But I don't understand the ending, I mean, I would love the ending if the movie finished when he tries to flee from the park when the dog isn't seeing and the train passes by at the same time, giving the idea he was going to kill himself. Or later when he tries to kill himself along with the dog and the dog goes away from here, I would think that amazing too, just like Shoes shine ending.

But why this ending? He tries to suicide, fails, and then suddenly he wants to continue to live his life happily with his dog? I reall don't get it.

In Bycicle thief the main carachter doesn't have his bycicle returned in one minute, or in Shoes shine the kids don't get their freedom and friendship back in the ending, why did Umberto have that privilege?

I'd like to read some opinions.

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[–] SandsofSamarkand 16 years ago

I don't know if I would call it a privilege - the way I saw it, the dog is his responsibility, and he was trying to find a way to get someone else to look after him, but was unsuccessful. It seemed to me in the end what he really felt was not happiness, but relief, that he had not destroyed his life and especially his beloved dog's in a moment of weakness.

[–] jtyroler 16 years ago

My take is that Umberto felt that he was alone, the people he thought were his friends had conditional love - the landlady liked him during the war because he could get her meat; the maid was more concerned with the changes in her life, but was probably the closest of anyone to Umberto; his long-time friends were either busy or dead. Umberto was so down and felt that no one cared about him. He couldn't find a suitable home for Flike or himself. When Umberto was inches from certain death by the speeding train, the thing that probably saved him was Flike's sense of self-preservation. Flike did not want to die, but apparently was questioning what Umberto was wanting to do. To regain Flike's trust, Umberto tried several things to get Flike to come back to him. Once Umberto was holding the pine cone and was becoming playful - that became the healing moment for Umberto - he regained his will to live.

[–] agera 16 years ago

How happy do you think Umberto did was, having no home or money, no family or friends to look after him and his dog? He loves his dog, yes, but he's not happy at all at the bleak life ahead of them both.

After his failed suicide attempt, he's got his life back, but he's still got all the problems that with go with it, too. I wouldn't call anything about his life a privilege, except for his bond with his dog.

[–] alden1010 16 years ago

I like what everybody else has said with regards to your question. I'll simply re-word what has already been said because, frankly, I feel like it.

The realism of the film forbids any ending that seems unrealistic. What's amazing here is that De Sica maintains fidelity to the real world but also gives us a profoundly happy ending.

The happy ending is found in De Sica's message, so if you couldn't find the message then you probably found the ending depressing as hell. Essentially he is telling us that determination is more powerful than tragedy. That is to say, if one remains determined--assiduous and earnest--then their lives will be inspired rather than tragic. This is not to question the suffering of the protagonist, but to insist on an objective perspective to all our lives, one in which heroism depends entirely on one's character, quite separate from the events which torment him.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] ocalamike510 15 years ago

I just read the book Dewey (about a library cat's effect on those he touched)and happened to see Umberto D on IFC today. Amazing similarity in their messages.

Love unconditionally (easier for cats and dogs than humans), and the rest will fall into place. Dewey and Flike were there for their owners when they needed them most.

This is a seriously underrated film by a great director.

[–] Police386 15 years ago

I love the ending because you can read it any number of ways. It's uplifting, with Umberto and Flicke reunited and happy together once again. Or, it's bleak because even though they walk off into the sunset, you know that in that system they're doomed. Whether he's blissfully ignorant or only delaying the inevitable downfall, at least there's this: he and Flicke have been, are, and always will be in this together :)

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[–] Speeed (170) 5 years ago

I also think it showed that the most important thing is to be alive. The dog pound scene had Umberto trying to save his dog's life, which was *the most precious thing in the world* for him.

Near the end of the movie, Umberto seemed to have lost sight of that due to desperation. He was even willing to end his dog's life but Flicky knew that living was all that mattered. Umberto finally realized that and the movie ended on that note with them playing and having fun in the park.