MovieChat Forums > Sliding Doors (1998) Discussion > Overall Message from the Movie...

Overall Message from the Movie...

posted 15 years ago by post-orgasmic-mood
18 replies | jump to latest

I watched this last night on film4 and I thought it was good until the end. I couldnt quite get why blonde helen died and not the other then when she meets james in the lift and instantly knows the spanish inquisition quote. And my boyfriend said that blonde helen had to die in order for the other to live which i personally think is cr*p. Anyways the message I get from the movie is basically "what's for you won't go by you". Did anyone else come to same conclusion?

Don't Blink. Blink and you're dead

[–] Writerchick10 15 years ago

I think that's a very good way to look at it. Your destiny will find you no matter what. Helen's parallel lives finally intersected to become one, but even though the Helen that was living the "good" life died, her destiny still found her. It's a nice way to think about life really, that way even if you end up on a different path, you'll ultimately come out the way you're meant.

"If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be."

[–] Vanken 15 years ago

George Harrison summed up the movie's theme this way, in his song "Dehra Duhn":
"Many roads can take you there,
Many different ways.
One direction takes you years,
Another takes you days."

[–] pantyhoser1975 15 years ago

I agree with Isolde, though I also hated that blonde Helen died. This is still one of my favorite movies.

[–] ManicMuse 15 years ago

they had to kill one
or the movie would've never ended

"WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW, huh?! WHO'S ON TOP & WHO'S ON BOTTOM NOW!"

[–] msvanbakelsp 14 years ago

At first I was surprised too, but then I figured that the 'real' story is the one with 'brown hair'. She misses the metro. Then the hypothesis of 'what would have happened if she had caught that metro' is tested in the film, and you get the alternate reality with the blond hair. But the real life is still the one where she has brown hair, so in that way I think it logical that the girl with the blond hair dies at the end of the film - it's the 'hypothesis' that is brought to an end, not her real life. I hope I'm explaining myself clearly...

[–] awhite787 14 years ago

Hey! After all the years I've had this movie, I think the way you've explained it is the best way of looking at it. Puts a whole new spin on the way I see it. You know, I just think it's sad that at the end, both versions of Helen are pregnant.

[–] kingcarcas 14 years ago

I hated it, they should have made one where they don't meet, life is all chance not "destiny".

If you don't believe in Jesus Christ and are 100% proud of it, put this in your sig.

[–] shananika 13 years ago

When I watched it the first time, I thought I was supposed to guess which reality was real and which one wasn't. I figured the one where she doesn't catch the train was real because that's what happened first, then it backs up and we see what would've happened if that little girl wasn't in her way. But I agree. The reality is her not catching the train. We are also shown how different her life would've been if she HAD caught it.

[–] john-158-352579 12 years ago

I think the brown hair story, where she missed the train, was the "real" reality. Although the short hair story seemed happier, it ended the way it did because she had met James too soon. She was supposed to meet James, but only after going through all of the tribulations with Gerry first.

[–] Mimbulus_mimbletonia 10 years ago

YES!!! I agree with you 100% :)

-----
"I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy" - Neville Longbottom

[–] Mimbulus_mimbletonia 10 years ago

You are making perfect sense, this is exactly how I feel about the movie as well :)

-----
"I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy" - Neville Longbottom

[–] rizdek 12 years ago

Actually, I was a bit disappointed that one died. I hoped for a more clever reconciliation like if both arrived at the point of discarding Gerry and were both interested in James such that when their lifes realigned, things went along normally.

my god its full of stars

[–] squidwards_girl 13 years ago

This is what I think. I think that the scenario when Helen caught the train, met James, and then started her new business was supposed to be like her happy, good life (to some extent, of course. sure she was dealing with sadness etc but it seemed like it was going on the right track). but when she missed the train, didn't meet James, continued to be cheated on by Gerry and had to work two part time jobs it was her bad life. however the "good" life ended in death and sadness and the "bad" one ended with the hope of a happy ending. So basically sometimes a person has to go through crap and through a life which seems like it's going the wrong way but in the end that's what leads them to their happy ending.

basically in the end it was good that she missed the train and went through all that crap. we would think it was good that she got on the train but really it's the other way around.

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[–] lamont-hard 13 years ago

@ squidwards girl.....You say...This is what I think. I think that the scenario when Helen caught the train, met James, and then started her new business was supposed to be like her happy, good life (to some extent, of course. sure she was dealing with sadness etc but it seemed like it was going on the right track) Just what was her sadness as the blond. It's been a long time since I have seen this.

[–] GreenIsTheColor 13 years ago

I don't think there's an overall message at all.

If miserable Helen died instead, the message would be that even the tiniest decisions could turn the course of your life around, whether make it happy or tragic. If both of them died or lived, the message would be something like you can't escape your destiny. But I don't see any message with this ending, it would seem that random stuff just happen, specially since blond Helen died in a very random way that had nothing to do with her plotline.

[–] TigerlilyBramble_of_WillowBottom 13 years ago

The overall message is that no matter who you sleep with, or which version of you it is, if it's at the "right" time of the month, you WILL get pregnant

I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution.

[–] eva-144 12 years ago

Personally I think the ending with brown-haired Gwyneth would have been better if she was on her way to a PR interview (a real one) or working at a PR office. That way it shows that she is getting her dream career in order before she meets the right one..

[–] kellymariekitty 7 years ago

Whch I personally believe is crap??

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Thanks x