MovieChat Forums > Roman Holiday (1953) Discussion > Such a compelling ending

Such a compelling ending

posted 3 years ago by BeaSouth (2799)
10 replies | jump to latest

The ending made up for the movie’s shortcomings. The acting was so subtle and so compelling in that last scene. So much was said in facial expressions and words with dual meaning. Spoilers....

The display of selflessness and loyalty (he to her and she to her family and country). Just a beautiful scene. He loved her so much that he gave up the chance of a lifetime for her security. And she gave up what her heart wanted in order to fulfill her duty to her country. What a display of sacrifice and virtue. It left the audience without the fairytale ending but completely satisfied

[–] stevewyzard (1257) 3 years ago

I completely agree!

I don't think very highly of most movies from Roman Holiday's era, but it remains a watchable, enjoyable movie to this day.

[–] Ace_Spade (9361) 3 years ago

Yeah, it was a beautiful ending, so powerful because it was great seeing characters choose selfless behaviour over selfish. How many movies would've had them say, "Forget countries, what's importance is LOVE!" and that's okay, but it's so much stronger to have that Casablanca "doesn't amount to a hill of beans," stuff. Great movie.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

Beautfiul ending for a very charming film.

[–] BillySlater (4108) 7 months ago

I disagree. The ending is depressing. Joe is teary-eyed, so is Ann/Anya. He even looks back as he's walking out of the building, in the hope he might see her again. The ending is the worst part of the movie.

[–] BeaSouth (2799) 7 months ago

It was absolutely sad but, I guess I was in the mood for that when I watched it. I liked the sad ending because I respected they both were sacrificing what they wanted for what they believed to be higher obligations. A happy ending would have been more pleasing to the audience for sure. But a sad ending had a message which I found compelling. Thank you for writing after all these years BillySlater.

[–] BillySlater (4108) 7 months ago

No probs. I don't like the fact that you invest yourself in the characters, the relationship that grows between them, only to have that torn apart at the end. I would have even preferred an ambiguous ending to what we actually got.

[–] Darren (1134) 7 months ago

The ending was realistic. There was no way a princess from a European royal house back then was going to elope with an American news reporter poor enough only to afford a small studio apartment in Rome. It would have been considered a major scandal. And the idea -- which you still saw embodied in the recently deceased Queen Elizabeth II -- is that royals in modern, constitutional monarchies may not have any real political power left, but they do have important roles as heads of state. They are raised to appreciate that all that wealth and privilege they enjoy has a serious price: duty, responsibility, and conducting themselves in such a way as always to reflect well on the countries they represent.

Royal houses were, and still are full of members who signally fail in that duty, and fail badly (just look at Prince Harry for the latest example), but they are raised to live up to those obligations, and some of them actually do it.

Anya is a character who, since she is supposed to a good person, will naturally be one of the sort who does do her duty, and that means the ending couldn't be other than it was.

[–] BillySlater (4108) 7 months ago

OK it might be realistic but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

[–] Lily Magnum (250) 7 months ago

If you don't like the ending, there's hundreds of Harlequin novels with the ending you want! I love the last scene including the sound of Joe's shoes clicking as he walks away. It's so real. I just wish they had not used the soaring music at the very last second. The silence of the hall was more powerful.

[–] BeaSouth (2799) 7 months ago

I have to watch it again Lily because I never noticed either of those things. Your post is exactly what I love about MovieChat