I've already watched the movie,but I'm really confused.......
In the end,ZhangXiaoQuan said that he's the best friend from him,but that means he just wanted to be his best friend,or he's also gay????
Maybe the director just wants to make the end miserable..........
i think it just means that he accepted Kang for who he is and still wants to be best friend? psh i have no idea, but that kinda sucked for an ending. thats what i think :]
shareoh come on, youdianbaoqi, your statement is like a slap in the face for the director. what do you mean with "wants to make the end miserable?"
i also think he wants to demonstrate that shane still accepts jonathan as his best friend. besides, not every movie must have an explict ending.
Try too see the ending, and then the first 2 minutes of the movie. It will be as clear as the water.
share[deleted]
Actually… the first two minutes of the movie didn’t really help clarifying the ending. Kang Cheng-hsing (Jonathan) was the narrator; the feelings he has towards Shane were pretty obvious throughout the movie. However, we still don’t know Shane’s side of the story.
The answer to the mystery lies between one’s own perceptions.
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The narrator starts by asking Shane if he remembers how their relationship (relationship being used in the generic sense here) started. You don't normally call yourself by your full name and ask yourself if you remember how your relationship with yourself started, okay? You just don't.
shareI agree. A movie like this only suffers with a unclear ending. I also happened to miss the first five minutes of the movie, so I'm disappointed that I won't be able to experience the supposed clarity that it provides.
shareIn my opinion, had the movie gone on to show the rest of the story, it wouldn't have worked as well. It would have entered some extremely complicated plotlines, and gone on for hours and hours. I think it ended perfectly, because their lives are all completely laid out all over the place, and we just have to leave them to themselves to put the pieces back together and make something out of it.
I just finished five minutes ago, and I'm like. Astounded. Best movie I've ever seen.
Lalalala
@eo_guy --- There's no sad ending really, even if you think Shane ends up with Carrie.
I think Shane ends up with Jonathan....which is the reason she's crying in the car (and not with 'relief' as some have speculated). The first two minutes of the movie (the part everyone's referring to), is Shane remembering how he and Jonathan met - his smile, the way he remembers is very sweet; and it's about Jonathan, not how he and Carrie meet.
But it's up to how you interpret it - some say Shane goes with Carrie, based on their views of what happens in the film; others say he goes with Jonathan. I, having watched the movie more than once (and without the intimate scene cut the English dub has) go with Shane and Jonathan ending up together. The long looks and soft kisses before the sex; the way Shane was caging Jonathan with his body after it....the caresses during sex....the worry his friend would leave him and so not having the courage to tell him the truth. After all, just because Jonathan's gay doesn't mean he'll love Shane...
From my perspective there's too many emotion filled looks; too much touching; the way Shane loses a basketball game when Jonathan leaves, and then worriedly goes looking for him; the way he doesn't like Jonathan focusing on studies that means they can't spend time together; the way he tries to find him when he's either going to or leaving from cram school (if on the way he tries to stop him); the way he doesn't like Jonathan talking about 'nice girls' in his class; the way he at first refuses to go a party without Jonathan.
There's too many emotional exchanges between Shane and Jonathan and barely any with Shane and Carrie, that would make you think Shane goes with Carrie at the end. To me, at least, I think Shane loves Carrie, but he's in love with Jonathan - and there's an ocean of difference between loving someone and being in love with them.
Remember this when it comes up in the film - who did Shane call when he was hurt? That says it all - the one we love and need the most, is the one we shout for when we're hurt or very sick. I know because I've done it - when I was having a stroke, all I wanted was my husband to hold my hand. even now when I'm having a very bad and I'm in a lot of a pain as soon as I see him I feel better, happier. So that scene alone, says so much.
Seeing all the little looks, gestures and touches; Shane's overriding concern is with Jonathan, Jonathan's is with Shane - Carrie just seems to be annoying fly buzzing around trying desperately to insert herself into the situation; because so much of the time she seemed to be on the outside looking in.
It seems we can all watch the exact same movie and take something different from it to form a view that Shane ends up with Jonathan OR Shane ends up with Carrie. Personally I normally don't like open-ended movies like this with no clear conclusion. But this one really works. I will believe that Shane and Jonathan end up together - purely based on what I saw from the UNcut version (and which had no subs).
BUT, and it's a big one, that is only my opinion. All of this film is down to interpretation, not just the end as so many think; and that's where it's clever and why I really like it. In the end only you can come to your own conclusions as we all have. Each to their own and all that. I wish you luck deciding; whatever side of the debate you're on - it's not 'wrong'; just your view.
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I hate falling down – it’s like gravity’s not happy with my feet being stuck to the ground, it’s got to get me face planting the dirt at random intervals too
watched the movie. i don't think the movie ending is confusing. the ending suggests that the guy who is involved with the girl is in fact not gay or he thinks he is not. Hence, the ending is very bad for the other guy. And this type of sorry situation is often very powerful to depict. The author or the director wants this to happen. Nothing bad at all. I think the ending is very moving.
shareyeah, i find the ending kinda confusing at first but watching it again makes me understand better..
the way Shane said that he always knew that Jonathan never volunteer to be his friend is like saying he always knew he had feelings for him.. having no reaction when Jonathan confess to him is a sign that he really knew.
Shane don't want to loose Jonathan and Carie... he says Jonathan is really his best friend as if he really accept his feeling for him but friendship is all that he can offer in return.. As for Carrie.. she always knew that Jonathan loves his best friend and also had realized that he is also important to Shane.. in the ending she said "just say it, ok?" while looking at Shane.. so it kinda looks like its ok with her if Shane would tell Jonathan what he really feels for him and as if prepared if ever he will choose between the two of them...
the real ending.. the first 5 minutes of the movie should explain it all...
what i don't understand is the sex scene... is it because Shane wants him to stay so badly?? kinda confused..
this is my fave movie ever =)
Eternal Summer. (10/10)
The movie started with the end and came to a full circumference.
The beginning scene:
The movie stared off at the end, the scene at the ocean, and Shane said: “Do you still remember? Our relationship started from an order”.
The next scene in school as kids: Shane looked at Jonathan and said: Ever since I saw you, I know that you were different from anybody else. But I was not brave, not brave enough to stand by you. (Here Shane admit that he knew that Jonathan was gay, but could not embrace that knowledge).
The end scene – on the beach:
Carrie walked to Shane on the beach. Shane said: “You know? I've been thinking.... maybe I'm too used to have Jonathan by my side”. (i.e.,. Jonathan have become a habit, almost like an addiction in his life) he continue “Too used to having both of you to take care of me” Carrie, will we lose each other in the future? (Meaning: If he has to choose between them will he loose their friendship?).
And he asked the question: “Did I mess everything up” (Here, Shane confirms that Carrie might know that he slept with Jonathan).
The intimate scene:
When Shane slept with Jonathan, Jonathan called Carrie the next morning. “Shane is at my place now. Do you want to come here? Can you promise me one thing. No matter what happens. You guys have to always stay together.” (With this statement Jonathan realised that Shane is straight and should peruse a life with Carrie.)
Next we see Carrie sitting with Shane on the bed in Jonathan's bedroom. (Shane, still naked in bed, thus Carrie knew what happened). Shane wakeup and asked Carrie “Where is Jonathan? I don't know. He called me this morning and told me you're here. So I come, and he was gone already”.
Shane told Carrie the story of him been unruly and that he forced to sit outside with his desk in the field. This made him felt alienated and alone, then Jonathan came along. “No matter what trouble I got myself into, he would still stick with me. He was my only friend”. (While Shane told the story, we see Carrie crying, confirming: 1). That she knew that they had sex, and 2). She knew that Shane knew that Jonathan was gay, but he needed Jonathan as his compass in life, 3). She was scared that she might loose Shane to Jonathan. But, then Shane said “Then you came along”, and 4) confirming to her that he was straight. Shane then said: “I cannot loose anyone of you”. (His compass (Jonathan) and his lover (Carrie).
The sad thing is that Shane never should have had sex with Jonathan. Shane was drunk and horny, and knowing Jonathan's vulnerability and his crush on him, he took advantage of it, still he forced Jonathan in a compromising situation. Jonathan said. “What the hell are you doing? Are you losing your head.” (At that moment Jonathan knew that he will get emotionally hurt, but at the same time most probably hoped for a future between the two of them).
The end scene again – at the beach:
Jonathan climbed out of the car (from his helpless gestures we noticed in the car), we realised that he knew that he now must confront the issue). He addressed Shane and said: “I mean. It's not your fault. It is my own problem. Let's not see each other anymore. I mean it.” (Here Jonathan confirms that he does not foresee a future between him a Shane, as it will only hurt him to see Shane everyday). “There are so many things you don't know, I mean”. (So typically gay, Jonathan still thinks he himself is the only one that knows that he is gay, but Shane always knew it).
Here in anger Shane attacked Jonathan. (This act in it self confirms that Shane does not want this friendship to shatter). Carrie looked at Shane and said to him: “Just say it. OK. (Here she basically tells both of them to come clean with each other, forcing Shane to make up his mind, either her or Jonathan. - Or, tongue in the cheek, - is Shane maybe bisexual? Either way she was fed-up with the situation). Jonathan apologise to Shane and say: “Sorry, I shouldn't say it like that”. Shane said: “I just want to know if you really meant what you said?”
(Here we could have two scenarios: First scenario: Either Shane wanted to know if Jonathan asked him to choose between him and Carrie – The disco scene, where Jonathan had to asked an either/or question, and he asked Shane “Carrie or me”).
(Or, Second scenario: Does Jonathan really meant what he have said, that they should not see each other anymore. Thus ending their lifelong inseparable friendship: Either way, Shane is confronted, and must come up with an answer. He must choose between Carrie and Jonathan).
Both of them agree that best friends should not have secrets. Shane confronted Jonathan and pressed the issue, which he already knew since they were kids, to acknowledge that he is gay. Jonathan, now, after years said: “You say that best friends can tell each other anything. Fine. Then I really want to know if you still be my friend after you hear my secret, Shane, You are not just a friend to me. I really love you”. (Shane already knew this, and in a way he confirmed it with the sexual act he performed with Jonathan).
Jonathan then turned and walked away, and Shane said: “Wait, I also have a secret for you too”. (A secret that Jonathan also already knew). Shane told Jonathan that he knew that they was forced to pair up as kids and that he was afraid to be an outsider and to be alone for the rest of his life and because of that they were best friends. (Basically admit to Jonathan that he used him as a crutch. He also admit that he knew that Jonathan was different and that he could never hurt him, and that he was really lonely).
Now he drops the bomb on Jonathan: “You are really my best friend”. (With this he confirms that he always knew that Jonathan were gay, but he needed Jonathan as his only friend. Sadly, because of his knowledge he kept Jonathan on a leach as a friend.) He confirms to Jonathan with this statement that there cannot be anything more. The expression on Jonathan's face says a thousand word, “the pain, the sadness, the heartbreaking, the tears”, that his bubble have burst and that Shane could never be his lover but only his best friend.
We see Carrie cries in the car, because she knew. Shane's facial expression is of relief, he have told Jonathan his secret, “using him as a friend”, and that he is straight.
If they will still stay best friend will be the big question. But at least Jonathan now knew that he has to move on with his life.
Thank you so much for this comment. I don't know what it is about reading written explanations but it makes a whole bunch more sense reading your insight, especially the ending. Very well-explained interpreration and clarification.
share@ scp-building --- I saw this, for the same reasons you saw, but end the EXACT opposite of your ending...
The beginning scene: The movie stared off at the end, the scene at the ocean, and Shane said: “Do you still remember? Our relationship started from an order”.
The next scene in school as kids: Shane looked at Jonathan and said: Ever since I saw you, I know that you were different from anybody else. But I was not brave, not brave enough to stand by you.
The end scene – on the beach: Carrie walked to Shane on the beach. Shane said: “You know? I've been thinking.... maybe I'm too used to have Jonathan by my side”. He continue “Too used to having both of you to take care of me” Carrie, will we lose each other in the future? And he asked the question: “Did I mess everything up”
The end scene again – at the beach: Jonathan climbed out of the car (from his helpless gestures we noticed in the car), we realised that he knew that he now must confront the issue). He addressed Shane and said: “I mean. It's not your fault. It is my own problem. Let's not see each other anymore. I mean it. There are so many things you don't know, I mean”.
Here in anger Shane attacked Jonathan. Carrie looked at Shane and said to him: “Just say it. OK." Jonathan apologise to Shane and say: “Sorry, I shouldn't say it like that”. Shane said: “I just want to know if you really meant what you said?”
Both of them agree that best friends should not have secrets. Jonathan, now, after years said: “You say that best friends can tell each other anything. Fine. Then I really want to know if you still be my friend after you hear my secret, Shane, You are not just a friend to me. I really love you”.