Throughout the film Arbor is desperate to act and be treated like an adult. In the final scenes his naivety comes to the fore and his luck runs out (there are many instances during the film where it's blind luck that something bad does not happen). As soon as tragedy strikes, he reverts back to being a child, unable to cope with what has happened. Internally though, he is still struggling with his designs of adulthood, creating the conflict. He finally relents and allows himself to be held in his (surrogate) mother's arms, a child once more.
As for Swifty's mother, I think she is grasping onto her son through Arbor - she must forgive Arbor if she is to retain her son's memory (due to their close relationship). I would assume too that she appreciates how Arbor is feeling and feels she must get past her anger to comfort a boy who has effectively lost his brother.
I'm not sure if anyone has watched the alternate ending, but I am glad Barnard stuck with the one released. It seems completely out of sync with the last act, though I suppose when viewed as a fable, it is fitting.
What is the alternative ending?
Disasters are just another star falling in my yard
We see Arbor taking part in the horse race in place of Swifty. As he takes the lead he 'sees' Swifty standing on a bridge above him watching him; Arbor smiles.
Thanks :)
I'm glad the director didn't go with that ending, the alternative sounds a little cheesy.
Disasters are just another star falling in my yard
I think you're right about the mum, but take a different view re Arbor. The first thing he did after leaving the scrap yard was to go to Swifty's place, possibly for solace, possibly to confront his feelings and responsibilities, possibly to be there for the other family. I was struck by how he stuck with it, despite rejections and violence as he knew it was something he needed to see through. Although not handled the best, it was his most mature act of the film. I don't think he understood how to handle the rejection, and needed the catharsis and validation of the hug from Swiftys mum to be able to move on. So I don't think he reverted to being a child, I think he took the first steps to adulthood.
Fascinating film, offers so many interpretations, and so much to think about. With my interpretation there, could Arbor be the selfish giant, finayll letting people into his world, where his childish ego had excluded everyone before.
I think you're right about the mum, but take a different view re Arbor. The first thing he did after leaving the scrap yard was to go to Swifty's place, possibly for solace, possibly to confront his feelings and responsibilities, possibly to be there for the other family. I was struck by how he stuck with it, despite rejections and violence as he knew it was something he needed to see through. Although not handled the best, it was his most mature act of the film. I don't think he understood how to handle the rejection, and needed the catharsis and validation of the hug from Swiftys mum to be able to move on. So I don't think he reverted to being a child, I think he took the first steps to adulthood.
Fascinating film, offers so many interpretations, and so much to think about. With my interpretation there, could Arbor be the selfish giant, finayll letting people into his world, where his childish ego had excluded everyone before.
The ending sucked !
shareIf you mean the scene with Arbor and the horse, Diesel, then yes there was some significance; an alternative ending was filmed in which Arbor races the horse in place of Swifty. I'm glad they didn't go with that ending because when we see Arbor with the horse I thought it was his way of being closer to Swifty and of learning to be gentle and kind, as Swifty had been, to horses. Not seeing them as money making objects but sentient beings.
I give my respect to those who have earned it; to everyone else, I'm civil.share