Good movie, bummer ending (possible spoiler)

I think the ending meant that Paula made a mistake in going back to Roger, not that she made a mistake in leaving Philip. I agree with your comments that neither man was right for Paula, and that this third possibility was not even explored. A more modern ending might have been one like in "Private Benjamin," where Judy (Goldie Hawn) leaves Henri at the altar and walks off triumphantly alone, with all possibilities ahead of her.

I think that after the movie leaves off Paula probably did get the clue and went off and found better man. I liked the ending though. It left off right where it began. for me it felt as if, okay maybe she didnt make the right choice with Anthony Perkins the first time but now she knows and now she has another chance.

I also really like the contrast between the two relationships with Paula and Roger and Paula and Philip. With Roger she was neglected and he never really paid enough attention to her, but with Philip he quit his job and moved in to focus just on her (although i think laziness also played a part in that). So it really went from one extreme to another.

Hopefully next time she can find a happy medium.

I love this movie because unlike so many old movies, it doesn't leave too much up to the viewer. It's obvious that she should not be with Roger or Philip. But she was not strong enough to make that decision. She was so addicted to Roger that she agreed to take him on any terms.

When she goes to his arms for their reunion she says "I'm home" with such relief that you can feel how she suffered without him, then she says in the same breath "Whatever that means". Knowing that he will break her heart but she can't help herself but gives it to him anyway. Her character is miserable with or without him. It's so tragic.

I think the acting in this film was superb. It's not a happy ending, and I admit I always feel a bit betrayed when things don't work out for the protagonist. But the ending really did fit the reality of the film.I think what we are supposed to get is that she is weak and even though she knows it, she sees her youth dwindling away and feels moments of happiness are better than none.She compromises. As she put it "it's like a demon inside of me."

Wouldn't it have been great if it ended with her telling Roger "I hope you like her whoever she is, because she's your woman now", Then she throws his crap on the lawn? lol

This film has me in the mood to watch "The Heiress" 1949 Olivia De Havilland. If you liked this film you'll LOVE that one.

I am glad others bothered to be so saddened by this ending. When she was screaming down the staircase, "I am old" I broke down and cried. I don't know what the solution is to this problem...I fear this movie had it right, and honest, in being a product of it's time. Now we pay lip service to the idea that an aging woman can be happy being independent but I don't see any examples around me in real life.

As you said, a product of its time. Paula IS very successful business-wise and smart and beautiful and practical. As Roger alluded, it was "natural" for men to be unable to resist their urges, to restrain themselves, and - of course, the worst sin of all - lying about it. That's what makes it so contemptible; that Paula agreed that Roger would see other women and she was resigned to that. However, lying to her and giving her the expectation that he would be with her every night is what kept her from making an informed choice about what her own life would be like with or without him. Maybe the moral of the story is that a tiger can't change its stripes! Is that the saying I'm looking for (??) The tagline of the moving tells us that - at least my understanding of it - men will always wander and want to conquer and spread their seeds, while women will always want to nest and seek loyal security (while being most attracted to the most colorful mate). That's in our nature, after all, I believe... perhaps an instinct, as well. And, no matter what people say or do, we will always believe what we want to, even when its not in our best interest or in the others' nature. I guess that's the saddest part.

Loved the ending. absolutely loved the irony of it all.