MovieChat Forums > A Walk in the Clouds (1995) Discussion > My Ending *Spoilerish*

My Ending Spoilerish

posted 18 years ago by the_vw_girl
7 replies | jump to latest

Paul returns home finds his wife on the floor crying, surrounded by his opened letters. His wife tells him something like "I thought you weren't coming back, so I read all of them. I had no idea you felt like this." They make up.

Flash a few years in the future. We see Paul and his pregnant wife browsing an arts fair. Victoria and her family are there promoting their wine. He sees the woman he spent a beautiful and mysterious weekend with. They exchange a few words. She tells him he was right. She did find the perfect man for her. Cut to her young son who is being taught how to cut grapes by his grandpa.

I personally did not like the film's ending for 2 reasons:

They made it oh so easy for Paul to jump from one wife to the next. Kinda tarnishes the shiny, honorable character they worked so hard on the rest of the film.

It made Victoria soooo weak. It was as if all she needed was a husband to make all her mistakes and fears dissapear. I would have liked to see more of her taking responsibility for herself, and control of her life.

Plus, the film IS called A Walk in the Clouds... not, "I Moved Into the Clouds"

[–] andy_roy 18 years ago

Yes, I'd agree with you. Introducing Paul's wife's lover, to make things convenient, easy and guilt-free for Paul and for the viewer I thought was a bit forced and cliched.

At the very beginning of the movie, we see how incompatible Paul and his wife are - they are married but not soulmates.

He sets off to discover himself, finds the perfect soulmate in Victoria and realises his (first) marriage was a mistake.

This would have made Paul look not-so-noble but someone who succumbs to his feelings. But it would have made the movie more realistic.

Or - a Casablanca like situation: Victoria's professor shows up, owns up and Victoria realises that there was some misunderstanding and all is forgiven. Paul returns home to his incompatible wife and to a lonely, humdrum chocolate-selling existence. Life moves on. He sets off again to discover himself. Boards the same bus...meets a Victoria lookalike. Freeze. Movie ends.

...it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him

[–] Sir_John_Rossman 18 years ago

Sir John Rossman

Knight Of The Jersey Shore

Owner and Proprietor Of The Laughing Loon Inn

Personally, maybe because I'm a hopeless romantic deep down, I like the way the movie ends just as it is. Of the two alternatives presented here though, I like VW's better. It would have made them each a fond memory for the other that they were thankful for, but they each grow to 'find themselves' and cherish what they do have.

I still have to say though, that the part of me that believes in destiny, true love, and soulmates makes me love this movie just as it is. I think we all dream of finding a soulmate, even if we don't like to admit it... either to other people or to ourselves. A belief in true and everlasting love is better than cynicism that denies that 'faith' in love the right to flourish.

[–] bloodymaryhorror 18 years ago

Paul and his wife only knew each other for a few days before he went off to war. She wasn't the girl he thought he was in love with. She moved on after a few letters. There was no relationship or commitment here to be true to.

Victoria was not weak, she was taking control for her life. She was very strong, especially for the time. And anyone would be intimidated by her father, especially Victoria because she knows him so well, and she doesn't want to disappoint him.

I think YOUR version is pretty ridiculous.

[–] omote011 17 years ago

>>It made Victoria soooo weak. It was as if all she needed was a husband to make all her mistakes and fears dissapear. I would have liked to see more of her taking responsibility for herself, and control of her life.

Hahaha, It is so funny when feminists try to turn values the other side and now single motherhood is something desirable.... "control of her life".... what a nice way to say "I am an egotistical selfish person who wants to share nothing with my fellow human beings"

[–] PetalsOfRose 16 years ago

I personally like how the movie ended. Paul and his wife were not soulmates in my opinion. The movie does not play up a happy, meaningful marriage between them. Paul knew her for only a few days before leaving for war. Like the movie shows, he was an orphan, so he probably wanted someone to come home to after fighting in the war for a few years. Sure he was happy to come home to her, but when he arrives, there is clearly not any chemistry between them.
Running into Victoria on the bus was a chance meeting and obviously meant to be. I liked the chemistry between them, and I feel he wanted to protect her....and during the process, he ultimately(not intentionally) fell in love with her. So the ending makes perfect sense to me, because really, his wife was not the match which he was with Victoria. Also, the whole vineyard fire and retrieval of the last viable root while the family cried in eachothers arms made it much more dramatic...I loved this movie!
HeathBaby..Forever you shall be remembered. Sleep Well Love...

[–] Val-El 16 years ago

PoR: I agree with you in almost every aspect! - Paul and his wife were not soulmates, true, but, imho, they weren't even good friends! She couldn't even bring herself to read the letters he sent so religiously from the front lines!

[–] JacksCatGirl 8 years ago

His wife did not love him, CLEARLY. She did not read one letter, that's like not reading a text, and when in love it's IMPOSSIBLE to not read a loved one's messages when they're away, when you're in love you live for those messages.

🐈Jacks