Molly was a girl who was bang smack in the middle of a coming of age dilemma. Her teenage angst and childish behaviour were obvious, but her curiosity for adulthood and her developing sexual desires were also prominent. By the end of the film we certainly witness a much more grown up Molly in comparison to the Molly which we were originally introduced to at the beginning of the film. However, her childish nature is still far from removed (hence the connotations of the swing in the playground in the final scene).
The way I read it, is that by the end of the film Molly is still in phase of self discovery as she makes her progression into adulthood, however by this point she has reached a stage where she can understand this. And when invited by Ben at the end of the film to grab a bite to eat, she is mature enough to make the adult decision to choose the remainder of her childhood, even if she may only have a couple years left of it.
If you ask me, I believe the conversation that Molly has with her mother before leaving the house to see Ben is a pivotal moment. Previously it seemed that she was planning to sneak out and meet Ben (an arguably childish action), in which case had she succeeded, who knows what her answer may have been to Ben's request. However, as her mother treats her with the respect of an adult, placing her trust in Molly completely, and allowing her to go out - even handing her the cell phone which she had been so opposed to previously. Molly leaves the house with a completely different head on her shoulders, she now feels a sense of responsibility, and a mindfulness for her own future.
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aashay147
10 years ago
Also, the photo Molly takes of herself on the swing is possibly as an indication that she realizes that she has started to leave childhood and is capturing a reminder of those days.
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johnmc963
9 years ago
Great incite to what you think the final scene was about. She says no to his final request to go out NOT because of some bs about growing up. It is a NO because it came out that he had done this to 4 other girls as well AND he refused her offer of her virginity. Her heart was broken and that is why she said no. Not the BS about being a child and her mom now treating her with respect. Really? Ever been this age? Now my mom loves me and respects me and I am going to turn off my hormones (which she started with the teacher in the first place) now. Molly was so pissed at him and came to see him one last time and was able to say no to him.
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triggerhappy6
9 years ago
He hadn't done this to 4 other girls, that was another teacher from another school they were talking about.
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angloo
9 years ago
"It is a NO because it came out that he had done this to 4 other girls as well"
I notice you have not retracted or apologized for your total inexcusable misinterpretation of what was said in the film.
This takes away any credibility you might have had for the remainder of your statements.
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istara
9 years ago
Good analysis. I don't get the sense that it's totally over from that final scene. They clearly still like one another, they're smiling at one another. It she was ending it forever she would have just left.
I think she has simply decided to take things at her own pace: no rush. And staying out late with him during her grounding/defying her parents would be another sign of immaturity.
Directly after that conversation he sings: "in another time and space, you are sleeping over" which will probably be the case, just not immediately.
So I feel the ending is kind of open. She likes him, he's pretty responsible (clearly not a predator - he holds her at arms length as much as possible), her parents like him, it's just all a bit too soon and too early, and was inappropriate while she was still at school.
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coyote5
8 years ago
I love this take on the ending! I agree it is 'open'.
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