Ending

You're right that there is a small degree of ambiguity, of course, but I think we must conclude that he is running away from the plane. In the shot just before Henry starts running, he appears to be closer to the plane than the extended shot where he is running would allow were he heading toward the plane, yes? Also, I think it makes for a better ending if he is running away from "running away."

I just looked at a copy of Hal Hartley's screenplay to the film. The final paragraph reads: "Henry is running, struggling towards us, forcing himself towards the plane, getting stronger and running faster with every step he takes. CUT TO BLACK."

So much for my theory, eh?

But first I have to say that I love this movie.


Okay, so Simon Grim helps out Henry Fool by supposively switching identities via Passport - so does this mean that Henry will take on Grim's persona completely? Will he show up in Stockholm to accept the Nobel Peace prize? If so, won't Grim's girlfriend notice? Concurrently, will Grim now go back to his garbage man life as before?



What have you done to his eyes, you maniacs!

I never doubted Henry was running toward the plane, the plane he was late for, the plane that was being held up just for him -- not a situation where someone would leisurely stroll toward a plane that meant freedom, freedom from the hounds of hell at your heels. He does look back (if I remember right) with regret or maybe misgivings and I think that moment of repose mid-run as it were maybe has to do with why he speeds up afterwards, running like hell lest that pilot get tired of waiting. If he had decided to go back and face the music (it wasn't his music so why should he) why would he have been running with such urgency. It's not like the jail cell door was going to close if he didn't scurry. No, I think if he had decided to go back and face a jail sentence for something he didn't do he would have walked slowly, thoughtfully, and somberly. I can see no other reason to go back but to be with his family but he couldn't because he'd be in jail whereas if he leaves the scene of someone else's crime his family could join him. But my main point is one runs toward something desired, or away from something to be avoided at all costs, but one walks slowly toward one's doom.

judging by the sequel, it would appear he was running toward the plane.

in the sequel, (fay grim) simon is serving a prison sentence for helping Henry flee the country. So I think it is fair to assume that Henry got on the plane. I know that many of you will consider this cheating and far less philosophical. Oh well.

I interpreted it when I first saw it as him running towards the plane *shrugs*

But I think it was made a bigger distance because it parallels his walk towards Simon when they first meet, and how it keeps going as he comes up the street

I'm not putting this very well, haha

This is a brilliant instance that I love to see in movies. An ending that has ambiguity and allows the viewer to draw their own conclusion. I tend to think of it as him running towards the plane. I felt his face showed enough pain that led me to believe he wants to stay and it breaks his heart to go but he must. He has to leave them or he'll eventually become a working stiff, wasting all his talent. He also may fear that his demons will come back to haunt him and he may not control his urge to sleep with young girls. He might even corrupt his son enough to scar his future and he doesn't want to do that. Again this is only my single solitary view, and it satisfies me :)