MovieChat Forums > The Visitor (2008) Discussion > The ending - please help! (SPOILERS)

The ending - please help! (SPOILERS)

posted 14 years ago by marmitemad
7 replies | jump to latest

Hi there. I know it's really annoying when people do this BUT... I recorded this film from TV on a timer and was so engrossed in the story when it cut off the ending.
The last thing I saw was Mouna (?spelling) going to get the plane back to Syria and Walter leaving her. He was walking down to the subway station with his drum on his back when the recorder stopped and I have no idea how it ended.
I don't think that can be far from the ending but obviously I'm most frustrated and desperate to find out what I missed.
Is there a kind soul out there who would be willing to write a brief note of what happened next?
Would be gratefully appreciated as I was so enjoying this poignant and beautiful film...

Thanks muchly!

[–] j3jev 14 years ago

You were, indeed, very close to the end. Walter sits on a bench in the subway station and begins playing. Two or three folk are near him. He is going nowhere but plays with increasing frenzy as the trains flash by. It appears as if he is taking his anger out on the drum. We cut to black and see the end titles.

A great movie. Loved it.

[–] marmitemad 14 years ago

Ah, hadn't realised *quite* how close to the end I was - but that sounds like a poignant way to finish the film (obviously Tarek being released would have been 'happier' if less realistic!)
Thanks for taking the time to paint the final tableaux for me, j3jev, I do appreciate that.

[–] Niki3333 12 years ago

For me, he wasn't taking out his anger on the drum, although I think he was very angry at the injustice of what happened.

In my opinion, he was

1) Playing in the subway just like Tarik always wanted to do but never had the nerve to do...so playing in place of him.

2) Finally symbolically letting go of his old self and embracing life. No longer keeping quiet and staying in the background.

and 3) I think we are meant to see the ignition of Walter's passion, and he is going to fight to help his friends (Tarik changed his life with music, he was falling in love with Mouna & his newly developing friendship with Zainab.). I think it's him taking a public stand for himself, and kind of saying to himself...okay, now I fight! I live! These people are my new family and here I go!

Just my interpretation.

[–] rachaelov 12 years ago

Niki, you could be right. I was glad the film didn't end with a hackneyed proposal of marriage, with the implication that everything would be alright now, phew! But he was falling in love with her, and she perhaps with him too - certainly she came to trust him; but she did have to go back to Syria for her son. How could she not?

But I think you're right - Tariq and Mouna have set him on the road to a new life, and more that that, a life with passion, and his losing his fears to express those passions - all symbolised by his playing in the subway. I found that uplifting - and putting myself in his position - I don't see how he could let go of them. They're in his life now... surely he'll not give up on them now?

But maybe that's just what you'd hope for, rather than being a realistic outcome. It's good the film ended with this ambiguity.

[–] koffeenkreame41-1 11 years ago

Agreed, I couldn't have said it better myself, I loved the ending.

"I am the ultimate badass, you do not wanna `*beep*` wit me!"- Hudson in Aliens.

[–] PopperTheKungFu-Dragon 8 years ago

Me too.

Poorly Lived and Poorly Died, Poorly Buried and No One Cried

[–] cristalle1 11 years ago

The ending of the film was I was also left with the feeling he will pursue getting Mouna and Tariq back to the US. It was fascinating to see his awakening and transformation from lonely and depressed to the growth of passion for life. Like some of us he was going through the motions and not looking around, continuing on the same stale path until fate stepped in...he took the path less travelled. I loved this film.