MovieChat Forums > Sharp Objects (2018) Discussion > tbh, the book ended poorly (spoilers)

tbh, the book ended poorly (spoilers)

posted 6 years ago by BrunoAntony (1198)
6 replies | jump to latest

Gillian Flynn, as far as I'm aware, has used the "totally coincidental two psychos" twist in all of her books.

The book ends in a rushed mini-story with Camille discovering that Amma is the serial killer while in Chicago, then a slab of exposition about her motive for committing the murders, the reveal that Amma had accomplices and even Camille visiting Amma in jail. In the TV series, that would made an extremely strangely-paced episode (particularly considering how slowly the other episodes were paced).

The only way the TV series could salvage it was by cutting the story off at that abrupt ending and then a quick post-credits montage to cover a few pages of pure exposition.

I didn't particularly like the ending, but I thought it was better than the novel.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 6 years ago

Thanks for the info about Flynn. I have no respect for artists who keep doing the same trick repeatedly, e. g., Tony Scott or Adam Sandler (in whose case I use “artist” looser than a 70-year-old whore’s twat). With the benefit of hindsight, this series was as much of a Fuck You to the viewer as Season Three of Twin Peaks. I endured strobe light-quick flashbacks only to receive a climax and denouement that were so short they can only be measured in nanoseconds. I stuck with the closing credits only because I love that Zeppelin tune, and felt that it enhanced the aftertaste of the assault that was the ending—otherwise I’d have missed an essential piece of narrative information; two pieces, in fact. What sheer arrogance and hubris on the part of the show runners! You say Fuck You to us, then demand that we keep following you? Who the hell raised you?

[–] [email protected] (1296) 6 years ago

I honestly think they showed Amma in the credits, because most people would have not watched all the way thru the credits...then by social media, and word of mouth, they would discover this info and go back and rewind and rewatch. Its a perfect way to get people talking, and get people to go back and see what they missed.
Did I appreciate that tactic? NOPE. I would have liked just one more episode to answer some questions,,,like Alan, Adoras husband was well aware of whats going on in his house,,,so why was Adora the only one in jail?
Why did Ashleys bitten ear never explained?
I read an interview with the author of the book that explained a few things...Camille allowed her mother to spoon feed her that serum of poison because she wanted the evidence to show against her mother. Amma pulled the teeth because Adoras floor in the house was made of real ivory.... so Amma wanted to match that.
I loved the series, will read the book. But it had some gimmicks and flaws that lessened the experience.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 6 years ago

That is very impressive thinking, my friend! I bet that you are right on the money, that the end-credit narrative revelations are a calculated and cynical manipulation to make the masses praise the awsome creativity and “vision” of the show runners—just as The Blair Witch Project had the ADD crowd tripping over themselves to praise manipulative gimmickry. This was too cute by half. I watch The Flash TV show, Lord help me. I watch comic book movies. I know there’s going to be narrative imbedded in the credits. I’ve been conditioned to accept it as part of the experience. But for an HBO prestige limited-run series to expect me to use my psychic powers to know that I must wade through its credits for closure . . . ?! And even until AFTER the credits, after the really good closing song’s been supplanted by elevator music, and beyond? That’s not art. That’s artifice.

PS Alan is guilty as sin. A pure monster—with no balls. Not easy, being a male monster with no balls. I really enjoyed your post. That doesn’t happen too often around here, any more.

PPS I’ve finally seen the Season 2 finale to I’m Dying Up Here. I want to watch it a second time. Then I will post. I am a man of my word.

[–] [email protected] (1296) 6 years ago

I will look for your comments about Im Dying Up Here when you post them.
Yes you are so right about Alan,,,,at one point I thought the killer was him, but then they did that on purpose, just like showing the sheriffs morning routine over and over...that was a wate of air time, but shown to throw us innocent viewers off, lol.

Also, if ever I get my hand on Sharp Objects book, I will read and comment too.

[–] OldG (629) 6 years ago

What would you have missed? Were you still not sure that Amma was the killer? Everything hinted towards Amma in the last couple of episodes... Adora would never kill anybody the way the girls were killed... Sure you get some sort of final confirmation in the end credits scene... but nothing crucial if you ask me... because we already knew this when Camille found the tooth...

And how quickly would you even have to shut off the TV to miss those scenes...

[–] Mahrez99 (236) 5 years ago

Well said R-Kane! This ending just pissed me off! The series was relatively interesting with decent production qualities, but very depressive and dark. Having then invested so many hours into such a shitty depressive tale with endless lucid flashbacks and hints, it is just very disappointing to get so little payoff.