could only get my hands on the UK version. was wondering what the alternate ending was about? Did it elaborate on the ending at all, or was it a complete change?
(Thought it was an interesting movie, and hats off to the 3 actors!)
The alternate ending just goes beyond the current one to show a glimpse of the PS character's life afterward--apparently wealthy and successful (presumably due to the film version of his story) and to hear him in voiceover rationalizing the deaths as if he'd had nothing to do with any of it.
It's not an improvement, in that it tips the scales too much toward our seeing PS as an ice-cold sociopath (although some viewers no doubt already feel that way about the character).
But watching the end on the DVD, I wondered about something--here, the film ends with Campbell Scott collapsed on the floor, begging PS to "help me." Blackout. I could swear that when I saw the film previously, PS did crouch down and hold him, which is what happens in the alternative ending (which then goes on to some additional scenes). But in the DVD "original" ending, the image goes black before PS has made any move toward CS. Did the ending get cut by a few seconds for this DVD release, or did I just imagine I'd already seen them holding onto each other?
The alternate ending was basically an epilogue, precipitated by the released ending, so your supposition that it was an elaboration is correct. It didn't add anything and was a bit implausible, indicating simply that Robert was able to thrive after all the mess. I won't spoil anything by getting more specific than this. It doesn't answer any questions and is as implausible as much of what happened between Robert and Elaine. I can see why it wasn't used.
The alternate ending was basically an epilogue, precipitated by the released ending, so your supposition that it was an elaboration is correct. It didn't add anything and was a bit implausible, indicating simply that Robert was able to thrive after all the mess. I won't spoil anything by getting more specific than this. It doesn't answer any questions and is as implausible as much of what happened between Robert and Elaine. I can see why it wasn't used.