MovieChat Forums > Miracle in the Rain Discussion > Question re 'Miracle in the Rain'

Question re 'Miracle in the Rain'

posted 18 years ago by TopDawg
20 replies | jump to latest

I wrote a customer comment for this film a while ago, before the message board option existed, so I would like to repost it here, in hopes of getting a response. Here it is:

I enjoyed this movie pretty well. Jane Wyman and Van Johnson were well-cast. The chemistry between them works very well, showing how opposites can attract. It is a unique movie, sweet, different.

The question I have about it is this: at the end, when she collapses on the steps of the church, has she died? That is not quite clear to me.

[–] 18 years ago

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[–] TopDawg 17 years ago

Hinkydinky: Yes, Jane Wyman's character is found dead.

TopDawg: You seem pretty certain. How do you figure that? I wonder if there is an outside source (book, etc.) which states that she's dead.

[–] soneill 17 years ago

i don't think she dies at the end; i could be mistaken but i think she just keels over from illness and exhaustion, but she's just passed out, not dead. maybe i'm wrong, but i didn't get the impression that she died. speaking to art's ghost at the back of the church gives her the strength to go on with her life, once her little bout of pneumonia is over, of course …

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] joasiafly 16 years ago

Yes, I would have liked an ending where Art welcomes her into the afterlife.

But since he didn't, clearly Ruth is alive - so now I wonder...

... did she meet someone else?
... have a family?
... or did she stay single and dream only of Art?

[–] classicera 17 years ago

This is a beautifully made filmed. I recently discovered it after wanting to see more Jane Wyman films. What a gem. She and Van Johnson have great chemistry. I love films based in New York.

At the end, I think she just collapses. I don't think her character died either.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] wowcharlie3 15 years ago

I love, love, love this movie! I was so touched by it.

[–] pan-10 14 years ago

I love, love, love this movie! I was so touched by it.

________________

Me too.

[–] dogsandcats5 14 years ago

I also feel she does not die. When she awakens, she will be given the coin from her girlfriend. She will realize Art came back for a moment, and that will give her the knowledge that death is only a temporary block and that she will be with him later. She would then find the courage to live her life.

[–] HarlowMGM 15 years ago

The ending is deliberately ambiguous; it is left for the viewer to decide whether she has died or not. I have a Jane Wyman biography and it mentions several endings were shot, where she obviously died, where she obviously will live, and the one that is in the final print of the film - where it's not clear. Personally, I think she is still living because neither the priest or Eileen Heckart seem to act as if she is dead or dying (surely the priest would have begun last rites?) but she has at the least passed out and he has to open her hand to see the coin. Also her "last" conversation with Van Johnson gives no suggestion that they are to be soon reunited. I think it would have made for a better movie had they made it cleared what was her fate - and definately would prefer that it was clear that she would live.

[–] Blondfashionisto 14 years ago

Yes, the ending is quite ambiguous, but I tend to think she did indeed live. That is why Art gave her the coin as he didn't need it anymore (meaning he was dead but she was still living). And, he did say good-bye to her so I think that meant he'd see her eventually, but just not now.

‘Six inches is perfectly adequate; more is vulgar!' (Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Re: An open window).

[–] TopDawg 11 years ago

Thank you all for your input. This makes sense, that it is to be left up to the viewer, especially if Jane Wyman said so. I guess it's not important to have a definite answer to this question, unless they are planning a sequel. LOL

[–] mitzi4 14 years ago

I saw this movie again just last night and I think they kind of leave it to the viewer's imagination. She might just have been unconcious and have the "miracle" of the coin being returned to her to find when she's better OR the "miracle" could be that they are reunited in death with the evidence of the coin left for the best friend to find. I actually prefer to think she died and they were reunited.

[–] pan-10 13 years ago

I like it just the way it is.

[–] ilania_a 10 years ago

the page about the movie gives the name of the book by Ben Hecht...perhaps you can get it in a library and find out the ending.

Ilania Abileah
Artist, and Culture Reporter

[–] joyceday 9 years ago

The way I see it is that she lives and I think now that her father has returned to help the mother that Ruth might consider becoming a nun considering her fascination with the Catholic church.

[–] lorrainearmstrongfl 8 years ago

I agree that she didn't die and like your thought of her becoming a nun.

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

TopDawg says > The question I have about it is this: at the end, when she collapses on the steps of the church, has she died?

I thought she was close to death when she sees Art but because it wasn't her time she came back. Then I realized the movie was made in the fifties. Did they think in those terms about death back then. Had anyone coined the phrase a near death experience yet? Then I remembered, of course they did. That's the premise in It's a wonderful life and a few other movies.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]