The last halfhour (spoiler)
I saw the movie a couple of nights a go but missed the ending. What happens? What became of the accusations and what happened with her marriage?
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MovieChat Forums > A Map of the World (2000) Discussion > The last halfhour (spoiler)
3 other children had accused Alice of molesting them but her lawyer found out they were close friends of Carole, so he "persuaded" them to drop their charges. Alice admitted on the stand that she had touched Robbie in an "inappropriate way". Her lawyer immediately called for a recess and it was granted. Alice had never told him about this and he was furious. She explained that the "inappropriate way" had been to slap Robbie across the face when he spit a mouthful of medicine all over her.
The last scene in the courtoom shows Alice being grilled by the prosecuting attorney, then the scene cut to Chicago. The Goodwins are living in an apartment and Howard has a job at the zoo caring for animals. Alice's "map of the world" is framed and hanging in their home. They are rebuilding their lives.
The last part shows Alice and a pregnant Theresa meeting for lunch. In a voiceover Alice says that they are not friends anymore. Lizzie's death will always be there between them. Alice drives out to her former home, the diary farm, which is now a children's center. It looks much better cared for than when the Goodwins lived there.
In the book (which is much better than the movie) Alice is found not guilty. Her lawyer urges her to sue Carole for damages but she refuses, feeling that everyone has been traumatized enough over what happened. BTW I don't agree with this, I would've sued Carole for everything she had!
I got the feeling that Alice and her husband's relationship didn't do so well in the end. Did I get the wrong feeling or did they maybe separate or something like that? I found this movie quite good, although I haven't read the book. I personally liked Sigourney's performance, again.
shareThank you so much! The movie actually aired again a couple of weeks ago but I missed the ending that time too!
shareI agree, i was under the impression that alice and her husband had separated...
shareIf they had separated he would not have been shown to move with her and has a job there.
shareThe first time I saw this, it was in bits and pieces - partly because of commercials, and partly because I had young kids and never got to watch a movie with any kind of comprehension.
It is on Youtube, at least for now. It seems to be a full, uncut version. The final scene shows the Alice, Howard and their daughters at the dinner table and Alice's voice over says something like:
Now, if I could make an impossible new world, this is who you would
see. Emma, Claire, Howard, and me. All together. Outcasts.
Making a perfect circle.
Now, if I could make an impossible new world, this is who you would
see. Emma, Claire, Howard, and me. All together. Outcasts.
Making a perfect circle.
This is why I think they are NOT together.
I like tacos, 71 Cabernet and my favorite color is magenta. -Fred share
Maybe you are right. The last scene shows the four of them all sitting down to dinner together. It could be a wish or dream or whatever, but I took it as the truth of what happened in 'the end'.
Another hint is that the girls are saying they don't want salad and the mom is telling them they have to eat at least one leaf. In other words, the mundane, wonderful dialogue of everyday life with kids.
But I agree that it did seem like it was leading you on the path that they might have separated. In any case, a devastating story.
Carole was a waitress in a diner. She didn't have anything to sue for. In fact, I always wondered if her motive was to sue Alice and the school district. Otherwise, what was the point of her fabricating the charges?
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