Saturday, October 01, 2005

BROKEN FLOWERS: Repaired Ending




SPOILER - This one is for people who've already seen it.
                                   



What doesn't work about this film is the ending - it's a good movie otherwise. The fix is simple.

When, in the last scene, Don sits down with the boy, and they talk, I thought, well, this is a really nice way for them to meet each other. I admired how they eased into acknowledgement of who they were. I thought, Wow, that's so much better than other ways they could have met up.

Though it's subtle, as the scene progresses, there's no ambiguity - they're definitely father and son. You'd pretty much figured that already - going from the airport to the small town, but the scene confirms it.

Which makes the next bit so strange, and the ending not work. Sorry, but that scene has left no doubt.

In some movies, the in media res   ending works well. Problem is, here it more seems like part of the film is just missing due to a technical problem with the projector. "Before Sunset" and "Sideways" both use that type of ending, but it's an actually ending, not just a missing chunk.

Add about two minutes and you could have an in media res (oh, that's fancy talk for in the middle of the act) that works.


FIXED ENDING:

Runs as in original version (OV) right up to the last scene. The change in that scene is that instead of Don stating anything overtly, the boy finishes his food and says thanks and that he has to be on his way.

Don accepts this, saying, "It was nice talking to you. I hope I'll get a chance to talk to you again."

The boy is noncommittal, but holding back strong emotions (or just a little weirded out?).

Don jokes a bit like he did with Winston's kids. "Well, I hope so, anyway... if you're around for a bit maybe we'll get to do lunch again... You got a place to stay... I could give you a few bucks for a motel or..."

"I think I got a place to stay. I just gotta sort it out, you know."

Don nods. "Alright then."

"Thanks again for the sandwich," says the boy as he hefts his duffel and walks away.

Don wanders out into the street, feeling stricken. Feeling he'll never see the boy again. Then the Beetle goes by and he wonders if he just imagined the connection. He's very confused, stands in the street for a while until the scene fades out.


Fade in again with Don arriving at home maybe an hour later. He sits on his couch, watching a cartoon, confused about whether the boy was his son, wondering if it was all a set-up by Sherry or maybe even some elaborate scheme of Winston's.

He takes out the letter from Sherry, reads it over, and suddenly sets it aside, staring off into space, maybe vexed, maybe pleased. He's looking at flowers still there from last week when...

There's a knock at the door.

Don waits a moment.

It's clear he's been expecting it. Ever so very slightly, he smiles.    

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