Im not a fan of endings like this, I feel it is a waste of time to watch a movie an have to interpret the ending.
shareMy god I know... it was way too open. It was pretty pointless. Like, what happened with that old guy trying to help them? I thought it was all gonna pull together in the end but it didn't. It destroyed this movie.
sharei liked the ending. these characters felt very real and thats why it couldnt have a conclusive ending. this wasnt just a story; this was a life. these ppl are not done. these ppl are gonna keep going. and eventually frank diaz will find out about the old guy searching for him. and he will figure something out for his family's situation. but this movie only showed you a day in this family's world, not the whole life.
shareThis movie is about a subject most of us, with internet connections, can't understand. Or DID understand, but forgot....
The ending isn't open. The most important characters, where god leaves his shoes, learned something. And the adults....well, they learned too.
Frank has a job waiting for him, and another apartment is accessible...somewhere along the movie, you must have noticed they all learned not to steal....
Notes to film makers targeting an American audience:
-explain everything, if possible twice.
-never think you can leave anything to your audiences imagination.
-"open" endings will only confuse and aggregate
-your story can never be about anything other than what is clearly shown and and plainly heard
oh, and put some flags in wherever you can for good measure.
I was so glad they didn't go for a cheesy, happy-fuzzy Hollywood ending.
shareI agree with all of the thoughts posted so far regarding the open ending. It can be frustrating at first...it always seems to catch people off guard...even viewers who prefer open endings. At any rate, I was focusing more on the family's relationships and less on their present situation. She had a bad relationship with this previous guy...then she finds this other great guy (Frank) who is also a great father, who right now, is just really down on his luck. But is that really the measure of a man? To some... However, she did stick by him through it all. The boy stuck it out with him as also. He was looking for love and acceptance...and if the two of them had not suffered through any of these difficult experiences, like the long, ridiculously, painful (emotionally and physically) trek to find a job, they may not have come to an understanding of how they felt about one another. We saw it again when the boy refused to go with his real father. In the last scene on the subway, they are back to playing a happy game like they did in a previous scene...to lighten the mood, and to once again put the relationships ahead of the crappy circumstances. So back to the subway, we see Frank mouthing "I love you" to his step-son, which was all he ever wanted Frank to say. Then the boy put his head down to rest, as if that was enough for him...all he needed to feel safe. They all did. I think that was the point of the movie. Not the only point, but a main point...and a good place to end, as it was not a Hollywood blockbuster. By the way, please don't beat me over the head with words...like I see waaayyy too frequently on here. And on every other forum that exists. Thanks in advance.
share
by kalle_ankare (Sat Sep 5 2009 16:15:49)
Ignore this User | Report Abuse Reply
Notes to film makers targeting an American audience:
-explain everything, if possible twice.
-never think you can leave anything to your audiences imagination.
-"open" endings will only confuse and aggregate
-your story can never be about anything other than what is clearly shown and and plainly heard
oh, and put some flags in wherever you can for good measure.
***
aggregate?? Don't you love it when dumb people try use big words and lecture us? Nobody in America will miss you if you leave, kallee.
I guess it's like looking at clouds. You see one thing and I see another. Peace.
I did not even consider this to be an 'open ending' like so many others suggest, until I saw this thread.
Although I was expecting to find out what the old man left at the Boxing Gym, it did not upset me too much.
My reasoning?
For me, it was mainly about the relationship between Frank and his step son, and how at the end it is that relationship that pulls the whole family together when the the boy refused to go anywhere without Frank. In that moment something happens that changes the strength of their family.
If you like fish tale endings.. then yeah, of coarse you didn't like this film.
As far as the old man wondering around trying to find Frank, I think that was just another example of human character being moved by others. What did he put into the mail slot at the Boxing Gym? who knows... it could be money, it could be a letter of recommendation, it could be a record of employment, it doesn't matter... because what does matter, is that regardless of what life throws at Frank and his Family, they will make it together.
How was it open? It seemed optimistic to me, earlier in the film the manager's dad said he was going to help Frank out... so... probably get him a real job, and they'll get a real apartment soon enough.
I was hoping the whole time, actually, that there wouldn't be a scene where he sees Frank on the street, at just the right time, and gives him the job or something.. but from earlier in the film, you know things will work out eventually.
-
pre·ten·tious: characterized by assumption of dignity or importance.