I saw this movie for the first time today and was confused by the ending. Did Francine not realize Jimmy was on the street because she couldn't see him or did she just decide not to meet with him after all?
Even Roger Ebert was perplexed and frustrated by this. I reckon it was done this way to make us feel as disappointed and unfulfilled as the characters do.
As for the relationship, Jimmy is a bad, bad guy. Any women who would try to have a life with him is foolish. I've no sympathy for him, even if he is hot.
Imagine what would've happened if they'd gone to divorce court. Even that day in age, his actions would be hard to justify. A man who throws tables? GTFO.
I'll bet Scorsese's real life disappointments had something to do with it. He married in the 60s too young and had daughter. I have no idea what kind of a dad he was, but he evidently thought nothing of almost killing himself with drugs and partying in the late 70s, with 2 daughters, a tween and a baby (born during NY, NY). He also had an awful temper. Like Jimmy, I think he's a career-first, love-last kind of guy. (he's much better now, of course)
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MedioSiglo
15 years ago
I just saw it all the way through yesterday and was glad that Francine decided not to return to the abuse. She was a bigger star than he was and he had to accept that and turn away too, alas, at the same moment. Bittersweet is the correct word for the ending.
Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?
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joliet_jane
15 years ago
Yeah, I was happy too, but the ambiguity bothers me. Did she not see him at the door because he was standing too far away, or did she actually intend to no go with him? It makes a difference. :-/
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franzkabuki
15 years ago
I think it´s more a metaphoric thing - she saw the big sign "EXIT" above the door and sort of realized there is no way out of the world of high entertainment, the public life of stardom, the limelights anymore. Clear division between him and De Niro outside.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
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joliet_jane
14 years ago
Her being a star has nothing to do with Jimmy being a jerk.
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jtaboada
11 years ago
In my opinion, if you wanted a happy ending then you had the whole "happy endings" sequence, so the ending HAD to be bittersweet. Not so ambiguous I think, she decides that she is not gettin out the building when she pushes the elevator button
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brookwriter
11 years ago
This ending is really one of my favorites of all time, because it can be interpreted several ways, and yet the outcome remains the same: She didn't really want to have Chinese food with him. Because she knows he is essentially an arrogant genius. And she can't live with him. Because deep down, she is an arrogant genius herself.
Does she not see him at the door? He's not AT the door. He's downstairs. But does she expect him to be right there at the door, waiting? Maybe.
It's a brilliant ending. Scorsese shot an alternative version, where they actually do get together after her performance, but thank God he stuck it out with this downbeat finale (which is the only ending for this terribly neglected masterpiece of a movie).
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