the spinning chair scene at the end...

that's right

I think Hank is the new judge in his town. In fact I think that the name of the movie "The Judge" is at least as much in reference to him as to his father. Besides, court rooms are normally locked when not in use, so if it was open to him that implies he has a key because it is his courtroom.

After listening to Willie Nelson's song at the end of the movie, my take is that if life is a circle or circular, simply trying to run away leaves one spinning endlessly in a hamster wheel of their own making. 'Science and progress' (material success) aren't going to free you either. Love is the only way out of the oppressive circles that often entrap us. The heart--love--is the only way to stop running in destructive circles, stop chasing your own tail. Through love, one can circle and return anew.

In other words, by loving his father despite his father's cruelty and abuse, by going as far as he could for him, Hank was able to discover that although life may be a circle, it doesn't have to continue on the way it once was, you can always start fresh, that every end is a new beginning, redemption for both, father and son.

I simply believe that it was that ultimate point of acceptance and peace. Along with driving himself away from his father, he had pushed away his family, his roots, and his past for many years. I just see it as a bittersweet epiphany. I see it as Henry's walk toward his final recognition of the mass amount of respect that he had for his father his entire life. Despite all of the deeply complex tensions between The Judge and himself, it was quite obvious that he wanted love and acceptance from his father. To some extent, he became a lawyer because he admired his father. I don't believe there is enough evidence to support that he is now inspired to be a judge himself (although the chair points to him in a very welcoming manner lol). I think the fact that he didn't sit in it showed respect for his father. I think it was that moment that he realized his belief in his father's legacy that he somewhat mocked throughout the entire movie. He discovered that there were big shoes to fill and tipped his hat to a father he loved

Yes, this is exactly my first thought as well!

Beautiful film with stellar performances by the entire cast.

The bit of honey is huge because he is the one son most like his father. Carrying
On this tradition with his own child. "Give me my bit o'honey old man! He asks Hank "you remember
What you used to
Say?
Also that hank remembered the tradition its
Pretty cool . They reminisce

Shows the bond severed, but ever present.

I suspect the "spinning chair scene" was supposed to represent how Hank was going to turn his life around, both literally and figuratively.

Having finally gotten to see this movie, I saw the spinning chair as a kind of "Spin the Bottle" reference, with the chair facing him indicating he should stay. Just prior, when he's walking on the street and has a shouting match with those in the pickup, he indicates he's leaning toward that with his "I'm right here... I'm from here." comments.
Good movie - I'd go beyond just Downey & Duvall being excellent and say the supporting cast was as well. I recognized many of the "people" as being similar to those in the small town I (all too briefly) lived in.