MovieChat Forums > Head Over Heels (1982) Discussion > ENDING +

ENDING +

posted 19 years ago by kyle-spain
11 replies | jump to latest

I will go even further to say that this is my favorite film of all time bar none. There it is said. No other film I know of mixes comedy and drama as skillfully with such flair and conviction. Regarding the ending, the reviewer misses the point completely. The last scene has Charles running as fast and as long as he can, then he suddenly slows after giving it his all. This in essence is the relationship. He goes at it with his all, but at a certain point when it doesn't work he has to let it go and stop. I especially enjoyed his smile as he ends his spint. Hopeful and triumphant knowing he can now look forward. Did I say this was my all time favorite...

Now when will the DVD finally come out??? (with director's commentary, trailer, etc...)

[–] jep831 19 years ago

I agree that this is an overlooked gem. Some have called it a romantic comedy, but to me it is a comedy-drama or even a dramedy. I haven't seen it in years --saw it when it first came out, many years ago now -- but I would love to get it on VHS or DVD.

It is one of the few really "grown up" love stories I have seen, by which I mean, the characters are adults, with the problems of adults, and things don't end up in a fairy-tale manner.

I may not be describing this exactly right because it's been so many years, but my favorite part is when the main character finally realizes that the blind candy-seller can see something he cannot, and that he is the main character's friend, and that he needs to start appreciating what he has, not wishing for what he does not and cannot have.

[–] bruce-129 19 years ago

I really like to read people's take on this movie. I agree
the blind guy was a gauge to read the main character's feelings.
What I like about this movie was the so many peroipherally related
things that added up to create the whole movie. Like the guy's
mother, and step-father. His friend, the girl at work who tried
to please him. The sister's boyfriend, Moose, the whole movie
was so realistic, and yet had a point to it that was very
right on.

Sometimes people just do not get together for whatever reason,
and that's that, and this movie was not afraid to just be real.
Life is hard to move on with at times, and you get stuck, and
you finally get unstuck, if you are lucky!

I like it a lot.

[–] lowrates 19 years ago

I saw this on HBO many years ago, I remember a different ending. Where she came back, and all he could say is "She kept the key"! I loved it, then I heard later on that the ending was changed to something more realistic. I thought the original ending was fine. A great movie with a great ending. I like the warm and fuzzy endings. Can someone help me to refresh my memory here? Does anyone remember the ending I am describing? Like I said, it has been many many years. Thanks.

[–] the_expeditersd 19 years ago

I, too, enjoyed this movie...I have it on VHS (off TV) and will have to dig it out and see if it looks good enough to show my girlfriend. The only ending I remember is when he's running in Libery? Park in Salt Lake City, where this was filmed. I liked the scene when Laura is blowing bubblegum when they were watching an X-rated movie...Cheers from San Diego

[–] suprnova33 18 years ago

I first saw this film as Head over Heels at a writer's conference, but had to leave before the end. At that time, it DID have a happy ending. Years later, I saw it again as Chilly Scenes of Winter, with the other ending. Either way, it has always stayed with me because of its emotional depth, rich characters and quirky humor. Even though I have it on video, I'd love a DVD with extra features - maybe even both endings.

[–] lowrates 18 years ago

a DVD with both endings would be fantastic. I have not seen Chilly Scenes, don't want to see the other ending. Burt

[–] david_foss 17 years ago

I also remember the original ending, quite clearly: "She kept the key!" indeed. That's how she was able to sneak into his house (she'd moved out months before) and make their special dessert (orange and chocolate something) and have it waiting when he got home from work. I saw the movie several times in Boston when it was first released (it reportedly bombed nationally, but it ran in Boston for several weeks, thanks to a rave review in the Boston Phoenix). I kept dragging people to see it. I thought it was as good (and gave me the same feeling) as Annie Hall. When it was rereleased theatrically (6 months or so?) later, I rushed out to see it again, and was disappointed to find the happy ending chopped off (and at least one other small scene cut). It does make it truer to the novel, but the romantic in me much prefers the original. (Trivia: the novel's author, Ann Beattie, plays the waitress in the restaurant where Charles and Laura have breakfast.) I eventually bought the video because I still love the movie, even with the revised ending. I'm hoping that if and when the movie is finally released on DVD (I've written to the studio several times), it will include both endings (and a better picture than the VHS version), so everyone will be happy. BTW, because you like this movie, you will probably also like the director's slightly earlier film, also with John Heard, called Between The Lines. It's also a comedy, set (and filmed) in Boston, about the early history of Boston "underground" newspapers.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075744/
Although it's out of print on video (and not yet available on DVD), used video copies are readily available through Amazon for very reasonable price. You might also check your local video store, if you've got one with wide selection of older VHS titles.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000B8GA82/ref=dp_olp_2/002-7932208-6824836
It's not as good as Head Over Heels, but it's still very charming.

[–] jonchopwood 11 years ago

Actually, in the novel, they are reunited at the end, though it may be a figment of Charles's imagination. The novel is as good as the movie, which is rare (either way).

[–] WarpedRecord 14 years ago

The blind merchant was a strong supporting character, even though he only had a few scenes. He serves as a reality check for Charles, who is so smitten most of the time that he can't focus on what he's buying. At the end, he gets it: He's moving on with his life.

It's a sad but very believable ending with maximum impact. Frankly. Laura was not that into him anyway, and though it's difficult, he was wise to move on. Excellent film with a perfect ending.

[–] jnakashima1 16 years ago

Does anyone know if they've put the original "Head Over Heels" out on VHS or DVD yet?

[–] bruce-129 13 years ago

I have to agree that there is a perfection about this movie that one does not find in any other movies. Movies are so different, and they are all different, but for great literary art and human stories, I can't think of anything better, or that so well done. Running is symbolic of wanting to live and enjoying life. I wish this movie would get released on DVD.