I saw this movie in bits and pieces between doing chores so maybe I missed something. Is the conclusion that the Escobars let Miranda go and later see him at the concert with his son or that entire ordeal was just a fantasy Paulina had? I originally thought that it was just a fantasy she had that was triggered by seeing Miranda at the concert but when I looked on here, people seemed to think that Miranda was actually set free...
Thoughts?
I don't like the latest fashion where everybody has theories that a part of a movie is subjective-imaginary and not the reality. It seems that unexpectedly Paulina lets Miranda leave. His confession and humiliation were enough for her. It's better this way, because at least the victims remain victims (not victimizers).
The final scene is not fantasy, but it sure is heavily symbolic and has the typical Polanski edge and bitterness. That is what happens now in Chile or Argentina. Not exactly redemption. Torturers and victims are free and live together in the society.
minalex^
Years later, but great post!
I, too, tire of so many message board posts asking questions along the line of 'Is this real or is it Memorex?' LOL
Seems to be some kind of 'in' thing to wonder out loud if a movie's end is *really* the end, or was it all just a dream? Or was the main character psycho and it was all in his/her head? Or that they really are in a parallel universe, etc.
Some films *do* employ those kinds of 'trick endings', but it doesn't follow that most all other films do, and just because every scene in a movie isn't explained in 1000 words and pictures, with a blinking neon light over the end scene saying 'THIS IS REAL' or otherwise, many films are fairly clear about where they stand at the end (dodgy, lower-quality films with annoyingly ambiguous endings 'just because' notwithstanding).
And, other films make it clear not too far into the movie ('The Matrix') or about halfway in ('Dream House').
Cheers!
11/16/12: The day the Twinkie died :(
I love the idea of it all being a fantasy, but it does not wash.
Miranda was blind-folded throughout her torture. She could not recognize Miranda by sight but only by his voice and his little sayings and tidbits of philosophy.
[deleted]
There's no suggestion or indication that the events didn't really happen.
The ending to me brings up the question: Did they do the right thing by letting him go, so he goes about with a normal life, enjoying classical music (the same music he used to torture victims), and expose his victims to running across him or being in jeapardy always of running into him? Is it right that he is free to live his life with no accountability for his crimes? Is it right that his victims must suffer the consequences of running across their torturer?
I think it's for the audience to decide.