Question about the ending - Film Geek (2005) Discussion

[–] movedout 18 years ago

I thought the same thing when I watched it. Every other review called the movie a copout, a fairytale ending etc. But I saw it as a sorta sad ending to a pipe dream of Scotty's. See how everyone he knew (and thats not many) was around him when he got his ultimate wish? As well as the meteoric rise to fame from a local gazette would make him a city wide film hero for doing what people used to condemn him for. I'm glad someone else thought the same of the ending, which I found actualyl quite easy to discern. Was the masturbation scene at the end not included in theatrical releases because thats the only way I can assume that so many people got it wrong.

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[–] Paynebyname 18 years ago

Did you notice how he got progressively more naked as the wank shots went on. First it was just the trousers pulled down, then not trousers but a top and in the last one fully naked.

It was a shame because you wanted a happy ending and for him to be appreciated for his geekness but this was a far more realistic ending.

www.paynebyname.com

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[–] Youcanmakeabettermovie 18 years ago

I just thought that the last scene meant that even though he is famous and has a girlfriend, he still jerks off in the sink.

NoMatterHowMuchYouThinkYouLoveSomebody,You'llStepBackWhenThePoolOfTheirBloodEdgesUpTooClose.

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[–] cynmoss 18 years ago

"I just thought that the last scene meant that even though he is famous and has a girlfriend, he still jerks off in the sink. "

This is what I thought too. Even though he has a GF now, remember he has little or no sexual experience. So he still goes home to jerk off. And he jerks off to the memory of him kissing Niko at the Video Connections store on the night when he was signing autographs.

Is there a director's commentary? I am curious what the director intended because I didn't believe for a second that him becoming famous (local celeb) was just a fantasy.

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[–] derekisdman 17 years ago

To me it seems like a film made specifically for cinephiles would not include a fairy tale, Hollywood, everyone’s happy and everything’s ok unrealistic ending. That's why I thought and believe that the entire getting famous and getting the girl aspect of the film was all a fantasy. You notice that as soon as he makes out with Niko, it flashes back to him masturbating like it was the final part of the fantasy that sent him over.

Now, this would be a much more realistic and plausible ending, and at the same time WOULD NOT be depressing or unfortunate. Think about it. Someone mentioned that he just goes on with his meaningless life. I think this is incorrect though. I'm quite optimistic, but I’m also a realist. An annoying, somewhat creepy guy like Scotty would never get a girl like Niko (whose character seemed really inconsistent btw). But, he doesn't need her, or the fame to give his life meaning or to be happy. Maybe you guys missed this, but Scotty would be happy just talking about movies or watching movies in a little apartment without anyone else knowing about it. Films ARE meaning for Scotty.

___________________
Myspace classic cinema group:
http://groups.myspace.com/cinema101

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[–] simon-wt 18 years ago

the whole "him getting famous" was a fantasy he had during jerking off, it was something he wanted to happen, but didn't happen. the last scene they cut back to the jerking part, his dream ends, his meaningless little life goes on. THE END

I thought the movie was ok, 6/10 from me

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[–] onerichard 17 years ago

The old "was it a dream or fantasy" debate.

Face it... this is the story the author's told. It was not a dream, not a jerk off fantasy. It happened. NOTHING during the movie implied it was all a dream. Nothing.

It makes perfect sense that a kid with his skills would find a niche in the film industry. With all the blogging and reviewing...why couldn't it happen? It didn't happen sooner for him, because he had no social skills or any ambition other than working a video store. It was a bit corny with all the clapping and his former bosses beaming...but other than that...seemed to work.

Why the J/O in the sink at the end? Are you saying that he would stop jerking just because he got famous and has a girlfriend?

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[–] Paynebyname 17 years ago

How can anyone assume that it had the fantastical ending. You must have been watching a different film.

paynebyname.com

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[–] onerichard 17 years ago

**How can anyone assume**

Yeah, I was watching a different film. that must be it. good catch.

I'm not assuming anything. if it was a dream or whatever, there needs to be a "go to sleep" and a "wake up" moment. There was none.

so believing the "fantasitcal" ending is to make the assumption. Not the other way around.

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[–] Paynebyname 17 years ago

It was all too perfect. Going back to the video shop, the girl coming back to him, him blowing off Cindy, all his bosses being there and clapping, his site being discovered, all just part of his fantasy.

If it was meant to be real then it would have ended in the video store wouldn't it, not the final, pathetic image of him jerking off in the sink.

I wanted it to end well for him as I quite liked his character but life isn't fair and it is harsh and the director was accurately showing this by it ending downbeat.

paynebyname.com

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[–] ilenefitzpatrick 17 years ago

the whole film/story was "too" perfect. If you can believe that he can recall from memory virtually every film and director and actor ever made, then the ending shouldn't be too unbelievable either. He is asocial, eats only cereal, doesn't know how to order at a restaurant, he has no friends etc etc.

The final j/o in the sink was just normal for him. In fact, that session probably was pretty good, since he likely had plenty of new mental images to draw from.

I admit the clapping and everyone all of a sudden wanting to be around him was a bit corny...but no less realistic than the rest of the movie.

I don't know why you think his last jerk off session was a downbeat. (no pun) it was normal for him... you don't quit just because you "make it" (become successful)

no dream...film was all real story as the author told it.

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[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] onerichard 17 years ago

info; et al

I didn't realise I was on the wife's account when I replied. The comments below are from onerichard, not ilenefitz

the whole film/story was "too" perfect. If you can believe that he can recall from memory virtually every film and director and actor ever made, then the ending shouldn't be too unbelievable either. He is asocial, eats only cereal, doesn't know how to order at a restaurant, he has no friends etc etc.

The final j/o in the sink was just normal for him. In fact, that session probably was pretty good, since he likely had plenty of new mental images to draw from.

I admit the clapping and everyone all of a sudden wanting to be around him was a bit corny...but no less realistic than the rest of the movie.

I don't know why you think his last jerk off session was a downbeat. (no pun) it was normal for him... you don't quit just because you "make it" (become successful)

no dream...film was all real story as the author told it.

anyway...it was a decent film. held my interest for the most part.

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[–] Paynebyname 17 years ago

I'm still truly bemused how you could see a completely different ending. If it wanted a happy ending, and for you to believe that it all turned out well for him then it would have finished at the clapping in the video store - the end.

It wouldn't then cut back to the final image of him bashing one out. He is playing a film geek, and being able to recount film and directors important to him isn't that unbelievable. Being celebrated for his geekness is that unbelievable either but the whole being offered back his job and getting the girl is.

I guess this is an indication of people interpreting different things. Maybe you should contact the director, he has his own myspace page.

paynebyname.com

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[–] onerichard 17 years ago

I think I've said all I can on this topic. I don't believe his happy ending is a dream, followed by a j/o session after he woke up. I won't be able to comment here without repeating what I've already said. But of course, I'll try.

you being bemused by my "interpretation" and a suggestion for me to contact the director is just downright silly, and condescending. Don't you think that most directors will tell you that it's up to you to interpret the ending, or the motivation, or what's in Marcellus's briefcase? There is no real answer?
The glass is half full or empty ? ( I won't be contacting the director )

Your belief that Scotty was just dreaming his happy ending tells something about you. What excatly, I can't say.

So, because it cut to his final j/o session, that we're all supposed to think...ohhhhhh he was dreaming all the good stuff ? At what point was it a dream ? He met a great girl, and sort of hit it off, then she went back to her boyfriend... was he dreaming meeting her on the bus in the first place? How far back do you go to say he was dreaming ?

You're assuming that his final j/o is a negative thing and contradicts his positive ending is the sticking point, and is where your belief (about the ending) tells something about you: masturbation = bad/negative failure. (?) Of course I don't know for sure, I'm no professional brain doc, or anything..but it's just a theory.

to me, it just meant status quo. If the director had cut to him having a bowl of cereal for dinner would that have meant it was a dream too? He probably DID have a bowl of cereal for dinner right after his session in the sink.

So we're in different camps on this. no big. exactly what the director intended.

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[–] Paynebyname 17 years ago

I appreciate that there will be different interpretations but feel compelled to explain one last time.

I've just watched it again on the DVD that I got when it came out in the UK. In the third to last chapter you see him wanking in the shower. You know that the director wants you to take notice because his progressive wanks have seen him lose more and more clothing until this time he is completely naked.

Anyway he is mid wank when the phone goes and the whole fairytale saga begins. It follows through to him kissing the girl in the video store, everyone clapping, holds frame and then returns to the exact same scene of him wanking naked in the toilet.

I'm not saying people don't bash when in a relationship but in this instance, and bearing in mind the unbelievable good fortune (almost like that of a fantasy you might say) that Scotty has had, the fact that it returns to exactly the same moment when the upturn started tells me that it was all a wank fantasy.

www.paynebyname.com

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[–] onerichard 17 years ago

well, now we're getting somewhere.

A point when the fantasy begins and ends. I didn't quite notice that, but I don't catch everything. To me, it wasn't so obvious apparently during my viewing. Perhaps if it makes it to free TV or Cable, I'll watch it again to look for it.

I still maintain that his whole life was pretty unbelievable, and that the ending can be unbelievable and still not be considered a fantasy.

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[–] Paynebyname 17 years ago

Not that unbelievable bearing in mind the level of geekness that I've displayed eh?

www.paynebyname.com

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[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] movedout 17 years ago

it actually got somewhere a long time ago onerichard. you just couldn't comprehend the other good points brought up.

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[–] the-pond 17 years ago

No doubt, it was a fantasy. That was my first and initial reaction when I saw the film.

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[–] forgether 17 years ago

I don't believe his happy ending is a dream, followed by a j/o session after he woke up.

No, it's not the kind of dream. (It didn't look like Scotty went to bed or woke up).

After the "happy ending," it just comes back to the same wonking scene (the one before he gets the phone call and fantastic things start to happen to him). So he may have been fantasizing all that during it. At least that's what I got.

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[–] hunterk221 12 years ago

Dude he's not saying the movie was a dream he's not imbuing that Scotty went to sleep and woke up to jerk off. Lol. How could you not understand this? He's jerking off to a fantasy of him being beloved by girls that never have him the time of day and bosses that hated him and his website that no one ever visits despite his constant plugging. So the upside of all those things are a reason to jerk off too "that" is his fantasy get it? There's no sleeping involved. Why would nico show up to the video store with brad only to break up with him right then and there in front of Scotty. This is Scotty fantasizing about nico and revenge on the douche bag by setting him up with the neighbor girl that pees or poo's for sex, in the store he loved but was let go from. He's jerking off to all this and him kissing nico makes him "finish" in the sink therefore taking him back out from his fantasy back to us being able to see him still there in front if the sink where he was before the jerk off fantasy had begun.

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[–] apostlex2 17 years ago

Look at how ridiculous and "over the top" the ending is. Every character that screwed him over in the film comes back to praise him in the end, including Niko, who now magically wants to be with him.

Do you seriously think within the context of the film that the sun-bathing skat chick is going to be all "pro-Scotty" by the end? She could give a crap about good film, which is obviously referenced by the fact that she wanted to see FEMME FATALE (possibly DePalma's WORST film ever). Why would she give a crap about film criticism etc etc.. Do you really think that James Westby knowing everything that Scotty knows about film would write such a ridiculous fairytale ending for this pathetic character? Sure his is likeable, but still pathetic.

The ending is perfect in that it is all a fantasy. It validates the rest of the film. The stupid "happy" ending would have destroyed the whole thing.

How the ending fits into the context of the rest of the film shows you that it is all fantasy.

Andy
http://www.hollywoodsaloon.com

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[–] onerichard 17 years ago

well, obviously, it's been months since I've seen this film, so I'm a little shaky on the particulars, but I'd still contend my original thoughts were acurate for me.

The whole story was "fantasy".. he only eats cereal ? who does that? he knows films inside and out, with all the obscure stuff he can pull out of his enciclopedia of film mind ? more fantasy.

So, all I ask is that when you make a fantasy ending, then make it clear... shake the camera lens and play the magic music and tell us it's friggin' fantasy, and don't leave anything to doubt.

so, if it makes it more enjoyable for you, believe that the ending was a dream or j/o fantasy if you like....

If we're expected to believe all the stuff that happens to him is true and all the things he knows about movies in his real life is true, then the so called fantasy ending isn't much of a stretch either. this scotty character is a total fantasy then, also.

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[–] ignatiuskurl 17 years ago

You're not really this dumb, are you?

It is not left open to interpretation. It is not vague or ambiguous. There are not cinematic stylings to discuss.

He's just a geek. He doesn't get anything he wants. Once he finally does, it winds up being just one of his masturbatorial musings. Nothing changes. Life.

Back to Disney flicks, guy.

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[–] onerichard 17 years ago

well, ignatiuskrul sorry I'm not as brilliant as you are...

I'll just say this; if, during any of his other "masturbatorial musings" we were shown an elaborate fantasy in his mind, then this final act would have been obvious.. instead, we're suddenly at the end supposed to see that ohhhhhh it's all a fantasy...

whatever... if this ending was a fantasy, it just makes the film all the more lame for me then... I enjoyed it much more believing the happy ending was real. crazy, funny, over the top unbelievable, but more of an entertaining ending..

plenty of geeks these days get what they want.. it's not too out of the realm of possibility that some film geek or computer geek or American Idol wannabe makes it big thanks to some web site. this aint the 70's anymore.

I think you're just more pleased that he didn't really make it... makes you feel better about yourself... as does your disrespectful comments to me.

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[–] ignatiuskurl 17 years ago

onerichard: I apologize for my comments; you didn't deserve that. It was one of those days.

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[–] BobCH88 11 years ago

this thread was a funny read.

not only is onerichard too dense to figure out something that is pretty obvious, he won't back down when he's basically proven wrong. Just don't like to face reality, do you?

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[–] onerichard 11 years ago

thanks Bob.

"proven wrong" Even though I'm not going back to rehash a movie I saw 6 years ago, I'm certain that I would stay by my comments.

That's the way I saw it when I watched it, but I really can't recall the specifics now.

Did you just watch the movie? I can't remember if it's actually worth another watch or not. Maybe second time around I'd think it actually was a fantasy.

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[–] kelticman 16 years ago

I think that the film ending was meant to imply that scotty had dreamed up the celebrity. I could be wrong. I doubt it. But it was so fast, with such happy music, that the film felt like a happy ending even though it many ways it was not.

if it was not a dream sequence, then the film really went off the rails with the signing his headshot/people clapping cause he got a kiss part.

I felt that the whole dream and wank ending derailed an otherwise good film.

if he had become an industry insider hit, writing for trade mags and seen as an elite film critic, that would be one thing. but local celebrity and babe magnet?

nope. it was a dream and the abrupt ending was odd.

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[–] arson83 17 years ago

I think he really got the call from the editor during the jerk, but then went back to jerking.

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Dignan_Tenenbaum 17 years ago

I honestly can't believe that this is even a question. He's wanking, the phone rings and then we get the most hackneyed, cliched, happy happy ending to a movie that Scotty would hate. And it all ends showing him... ummm, completing the third act. It's not just that it's fantasy that makes it funny... it's that it's really bad fantasy.

"Are you in the army?"
"No man, I just have short hair."

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[–] RascalPanda 17 years ago

it's totally a rip-off of the wedding scene from The King of Comedy.

oops, sorry, an "homage."

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[–] 17 years ago

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[–] JackRussellDog 11 years ago

I am with all of you people who believe Scotty dreamt all of this up. If it was not a fantasy, it would just ended at the video store with all of his adoring
fans. It does not work any other way.

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[–] timlin-4 11 years ago

Yeah, it's a pretty damn depressing ending

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