MovieChat Forums > Enjeru dasuto (1997) Discussion > Interpreting The Ending... (Spoilers)

Interpreting The Ending... (Spoilers)

posted 17 years ago by Schwenkstar
6 replies | jump to latest

*Spoilers Throughout This Discussion*

The ending of the film remains rather ambiguous as the final shot of the film shows Suma resting her head on Aku's shoulder. Aku is holding a photo of the two of them that the police retrieved from the body of the killer, a woman who was Aku's patient (unfortunately her name escapes me at the moment). However, at the film's last moments, the music ends abruptly leaving the scene in dead silence. Aku looks up from the photo and smiles sinisterly at the camera, just before the entire screen abruptly cuts to black and the credits roll.

I am not sure how to interpret this conclusion. I personally deciphered it as possibly indicating to the viewer that Aku had, in fact, been manipulating everyone the entire time (his patient, Suma, etc.) and that he had orchestrated the murders as well, all in an effort to reunite himself once again with Suma (which he accomplishes in the end). Of course, I may be incorrect, considering that this is merely a hypothesis.

So, I was wondering how other viewers may have interpreted this rather questionable and enigmatic final image... What are your takes on the conclusion of the film's narrative?

[–] GeneticSugarKane 16 years ago

One Year Later...

I wondered the same thing Schwenkstar. In fact, i'd say that explanation is one that the creators at least wanted the audience to entertain.

The only thing I was a bit confused about was the cave scene in the beginning. I'm not sure if that was Suka and Aku or Suka and Tomoo?

~Spirit desire, spirit desire, we will fall.~

[–] HerrWarum 14 years ago

the cave scene at the beginning was suka and tomoo, you cant quite see their faces, but when she is left alone in the dark, she yells for tomoo.

aku's patient's name is yuki.

i agree with OP, though it's fairly open for interpretation, i hate it when characters break the fourth wall.

[–] ilieMoromete 14 years ago

Haha, I actually loved the ending because it felt like Aku broke the fourth wall - you couldn't be sure though. I feel in a way him looking straight at the camera was sort of a reward for the viewer. We're as puzzled as the detective is, this is probably the most we get in on it.

This movie is simply incredible and a lot to take in at once. It's like the director really went all out to craft a behemoth of a work, one that you can re-watch over and over again still being drawn into its hypnotic world.

[–] JamesJDavid 14 years ago

That fourth wall break ruins it for me - it does not work well here unlike in High Fidelity with John Cusack. That sort of narrative works but definitely not here

[–] bobriik 13 years ago

I don't know. To me it seems like in the final scene Rei was looking at the photo the whole time or maybe staring into nothingness, with his strange expression that could be seen several times during the movie. He might just have been thinking about Yuki being in love with him after Setsuko told him that.

[–] GuineaPig 7 years ago

Yeah I interpreted it the same way as you. What were the meaning of the letters though? And the cave? Is it a retelling of sleeping beauty?

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