the ending sucked - Once (2007) Discussion

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

Oh I loved the ending. It meant the terrible movie had come to a close.

Ladies and gentlemen... Chocolate. That it all

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[–] HPfanonezillion 15 years ago

We are all so conditioned that films must end with the people who truly love each other together in the end. It may suck to see a non-Hollwood ending every so often, but I find it refreshing to see an ending like this every once in a while.

ET steal home.

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[–] TcH3rNo 15 years ago

That's because you are so used to your Hollywood Happy ending. They have trained you for decades to expect that cheesy happy ending even though it doesn't make sense. Once's ending was exactly what would happen in real life

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[–] bob_u235 15 years ago

So, if this was real life, you'd give it up? :P

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] esie_32 14 years ago

I agree. I actually loved the ending. It's a break away from typical movies. It's realistic.

Further, I think that they might love the idea of each other when they met but it might be temporary, who knows. The thought that struck me was when Marketa said she's okay on her own. She just doesn't want her child to grow up without a father. :)

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[–] duncannutter 13 years ago

I hated him for buying her the Piano, what a selfish move. You have to let people have closure.

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[–] 13 years ago

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[–] sherdliska 15 years ago

I disagree, the ending was sad and sweet. Their relationship was beautiful, preserved perfectly in the moment, in the music and in his gift. I was a bit skeptical when I read some of the comments here, but I found this film to be both profound and moving.

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[–] Stargazer5 15 years ago

I thought the ending was just right. Romance these days is a fleeting experience. It's bittersweet but the movie perfectly captures the essence of many 'relationships' in the modern world. I absolutely loved this ending.

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[–] MrGKB 15 years ago

Agreed. It fit the film perfectly, not to mention the title.

_____________________________
When in doubt, watch a movie!
Once certain, watch it again!

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[–] doughazelrigg 15 years ago

I agree: touching ending. Although they weren't romantically involved, the two main characters had evolved into a very close relationship. He went on to pursue his dreams and she reconciled with her husband, a perfect resolution to their platonic love for each other

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[–] sandifay62 15 years ago

I think it was the best ending. This movie was like a lot of character study movies where it's not about what the audience wants to happen. It's about what needs to happen for the characters.

She was a responsible person. She was taking care of her family. People depended on her. He was flaky. He wasn't taking care of anybody. If it wasn't for her business sense and grounded sensibilities, he wouldn't have been able to put the demo toghether. That's probably why his girlfriend left him. He was all about himself and what he wanted yet had no clue in how to do things for himself. He wanted her to give up everything on a romantic whim and be his sidekick. She had a family. Even if she left her husband, she was taking care of her mother and child. She probably stayed with her husband for the sake of her daughter. If she stayed with "Dreamer Guy" she'd have another child to take care of.

I think they both came to realize that all they had in common was the music.

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[–] britwrit 15 years ago

Yeah, exactly. He was a nice guy but overall, he was flaky. You can be a struggling musician and still move out of your Dad's house. Adulthood isn't about getting a nine-to-five job and a mortgage (though, if you want, it can.) It's about making choices and acting, not moping around being mildly depressed, living out the life of a teenager.

I don't believe that finding the right woman or man is the magic answer that solves every last problem in your life. But, as charming and funny as he was, he definitively needed someone to kick him into gear. Like, "Honey, did you send out those demo tapes?" or "Did you call that manager today?"

If I was her, no way I'd want to be that woman. She was attracted to him but she already had one kid to raise. Who needs another?

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[–] anammm 15 years ago

It was a bitter sweet ending, but I liked it. Not all love stories end with "and they lived happily ever after" you know?

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[–] johnny_canuck2 14 years ago

I enjoyed the ending and found it a suitable way to end the film....

However, I find it stupid to say that if it were a "Happy" ending where the two main characters found themselves together that it would a cop out or some stupid Hollywood ending.

Just because Hollywood ends movies in a happy way, doesn't mean that a great film like this can't end that way too.

Like I said though, the ending was still very good. Apart of me though, wishes that possibly it could've ended in a little nicer way with them possibly together. The fact that they went back to two people who have basically abused their relationships is pretty dumb.

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[–] badmofo6662004 14 years ago

Ok, I realize this post is really old, but I'm going to reply anyways :)

In the movie, he moved in with his dad after his mother died to help him out. There's nothing un-adult about that. I think adulthood would be best defined as not only thinking about yourself all the time, and making sacrifices for others.

He did seem a little unmotivated, but he also seemed like he was doing ok for himself. He had food, shelter, water, and was able to spend a significant amount of time doing what he enjoyed (playing music). What more could you ask for? Well, besides a close relationship of course.

I also don't think she would've had to "raise" him if they got together. If anything, he would be "raising" her and her child. She was a poor immigrant, and he helped her out quite a few times (materially) during their short relationship.

I did very much like the movie and ending though. It's weird how people often avoid relationships with people they feel so strongly about, but it happens.

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[–] howardbayliss 14 years ago

I think the ending was left up in the air for you to interpret. As the camera panned away from her room over the road did anyone notice a bus pulling up to the stop outside her apartment...coincidence?

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[–] GFoley83 11 years ago

Yes. It was a bus stop.

Marge: This is terrible! How will the kids get home?
Homer: I dunno. Internet?

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[–] NobodysFool 9 years ago

THE BUS, final shot

No, it is no coincidence. There is obviously a point to this blocking. I'm actually surprised that howardbayliss is the only person to point this out, as there is a lot of chatter about the ending. No one else mentions this - or noticed this?

Why would they pan from her window to show an approaching bus immediately following a montage of his departure? We never see him actually leave Dublin or arrive in London. He appeared elated and hurried. Was he heading back to her, the woman he fell in love with in Dublin, or simply elated to be on a new journey, back to his old flame? Is the bus shot foreshadowing, symbolic of his departure and the fate of unforseen future possibilities? Perhaps just a reminder he is leaving and a devise employed to tug at the heart strings.

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[–] doodle_bug00 14 years ago

A.) Title
B.) Its a real story

"Trying to pull myself away. I'm caught in a pattern and I can't escape."

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[–] guyver_14606 14 years ago

Fantastic movie from start to stop and yes the ending wasn't the "typical" ending, I'll admit I was initially quite upset at the ending... but looking back they weren't "in love", they loved each other like close friends do AND they brought out the best in each other.

No matter how brief their relationship , Boy and Girl are both better off for having known each other.

Amazing movie, great music, awesome emotion!

"we've got movie sign!"

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[–] sml7799 14 years ago

I might be the only one that's with you, shaun. I was miffed at the ending too. It didn't wreck the whole movie for me, but I was rather disappointed.

Now the intellectual in me does recognize that the ending as is has more integrity than your common boy-gets-girl ending. But nevertheless, I would've liked that. I know this brands me a simpleton by today's standards, but I'll confess it anyways: HAPPY ENDINGS MAKE ME HAPPY. And I don't believe that it's because I've been spoon-fed too much Hollywood pablum and thereby conditioned to think that way. I think it's a hard-wired intrinsic part of me...possibly there is a "schmoopy gene".
I think I will like this movie even more on the second viewing. I will just be able to take it for what it is--a sort of poignant vignette-- without being gripped by that plebeian-minded will-they-or-won't-they? suspense that I am prone to.

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[–] rickstersmouse 14 years ago

the movie would not have had such an impact had they ended up together. Yes a very sad and bittersweet ending. And I love it that way.

myspace.com/sofewwithbrains

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] Maction 14 years ago

iNeedABetterName:

That was a great post and awesome breakdown of the movie. thanks!

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[–] Kailstar 14 years ago

But... that's not how it works in real life.

The movie isn't about what we want. It's about what we usually get.

she dwelt among the untrodden ways

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[–] tara-dactyl21 13 years ago

Just watched the movie, and can't stop crying. What a realistic ending!

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[–] drew_atreides 14 years ago

For the record, the stupidest ending was "Chasing Amy", when Ben Affleck suggests a threesome between Jason Lee and Amy.

This ending i did find frustrating because the one aspect of these
character's lives that i DID appreciate in the beginning (they're desires
to keep people who had hurt them previously in their lives) disappeared when
she went back to her husband.

I really didn't like her character in general, to be honest. He was a dope,
but she was a ccktease.

Nobody rocks the cock like Krysta Now. And I mean nobody.

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