I'll admit I did a bad job of watching this film. It was a slow TV night here in Australia and this movie was showing on free-to-air, I missed the first bit and channel hopped away several times as I was waiting for a Rugby World Cup match to start. I watched up until just near the end - Claude meets Manon at her wedding; Claude and Serge have a falling out; Serge reconciles with Claude and sends him to New York after his love, Manon; Claude meets her outside her work, they have a coffee and arrange to meet that night, and ... this is where I stupidly switched away for a few minutes to check the rugby!
I didn't realise it was so close to the end, and when I switched back Serge and Claude were talking about something and the credits rolled over a scene of the two of them in NY on some sort of bus tour. So what happened between Claude and Manon??? I would really like to know, although I didn't enjoy the film that much that I would get it out just to see the ending. So if someone can assist in describing the action of the last few minutes I would be grateful.
Don't worry, I was watching it on SBS aswell, the end of the movie was a little messy I'll admit, but I know the feeling of *needing* to know what happened, just for the sake of knowing what happened :) So-
Claude leaves the coffee shop, really pleased with himself. On the way to Vicky's he calls Serge to let him know about his date and again thank him for giving him the push to go after the woman he loves, etc. However, the reception on the phone (Claude is using a pay phone, we don't know where Serge is) is really bad, and Serge can't tell him something seemingly important about Manon (we find out later). Then Claude goes into the restaurant that night, and catches Manon's eye. He smiles at her, and she waves, but as he walks over to the table, her (ex?)-husband sits opposite her and starts stroking her face and talking to her. Manon looks at Claude with those 'you understand, right?' eyes, and Claude raises his eyebrows like 'yeah, fine, whatever'. Then, Claude turns around, only to find Serge(?!?) is standing behind him. Claude's face lights up, and they hug. Serge tells Claude that he found out last night, and left as soon as he heard (Apparently when Claude called Serge was already at the airport). Claude says it's okay, we're not giving up, 'our lives are going to change'. They walk out of Vicky's, laughing and talking into the night. Then, cuts to the credits where you saw them on the bus (Single mens' tour bus). Long story short, nothing happened between Claude and Manon. Message of the story is that friendship is important, never give up, etc etc.
Well, sorry if it might be a bit long but I hope that helped!
I think this is an all-Aussie thread - we all watched it on SBS and then came to IMDB to check it out!
Thank you very much, t-m, that is a great description, detailed and informative, I could picture the ending in my mind very easily.
Rather sad I suppose, that Claude didn't see his feelings for Manon reciprocated but I guess that's why French films are usually so good, they are a little more 'real' than the average Hollywood fare where a happy ending is a requisite. Being a chap from the Claude-end of the looks spectrum myself, I guess I was just hoping he succeeded with Manon, who was rather cute! I know it was only a movie but you have to admire someone who goes to another country in pursuit of the dream of love. There would be more than one example of that happening in real life and I have the utmost respect for the people who have done it.
Many people seem to be afraid of showing their romantic feelings these days for fear of failure and embarrassment. Either that or they do it in a crude way so as to remain 'cool' if they don't succeed. As a bloke, I've always felt if you pursue a woman, unafraid to show how you feel, and do it in a gallant way that respects her boundaries and the chance of a 'No', it would hopefully be flattering to her even if she is already attached or not keen on you in return, and no harm is done. So good on you, Claude!
Yes, me and the misses were watching this and when it ended like it did, we just looked at each other and she said, I guess it would be too stupid if they did a happy hollywood ending. I still think the ending to the film could have been resolved better than a lightning trip to NY.