Movies That Just Ended Wrong, Wrong, Wrong [Possible untagged poilers]

[The Lovely Mrs. tod]

The trend I'm seeing in these comments is "better ending = happier ending." Which is interesting to me since I feel that more movies have been ruined by inappropriately happy endings than inappropriately sad ones.
I thought the thread was more fanciful than anything else. I seriously wouldn't mess with the ending of Prizzi's Honor, or Casablanca (although I liked the ending immensely) or most other movies. Not that there aren't some seriously lame movies in the vaults that could stand a re-write.

I'd have liked to see a happy ending on "Greed" too, if for no other reason than to get rid of the nightmares it gave me...but redemption would have lessened the film. The missing six hours probably would have lessened it too, but I digress...

-TLMt

[cstephens]

I remember reading criticisms of the ending of "Apollo 13", how Hollywood always had to have a happy ending...

[Park Freak]

I don't mind a sad ending in movies that have some ups and downs in them (like Steel Magnolias, or Pearl Harbor etc.) But when you're watching a movie and everything is all happy, or romantic, and good and all of the sudden...WHAM...(like City of Angels, or Pay it Forword etc.) I hate it when that happens. :(

[3894]

The trend I'm seeing in these comments is "better ending = happier ending." Which is interesting to me since I feel that more movies have been ruined by inappropriately happy endings than inappropriately sad ones.

The actual ending for "The Devil Wears Prada" is happier and more conventional than the one I suggested. My ending puts the female lead fully in touch with ambition. The movie's ending puts her in touch with integrity (borrring!).

[Niwel]

"Ghost"
I think that Demi's character (Molly) should have also died through something Carl did in the abandoned apartment (after he died and was taken to "hell") and then she and Patrick's character (Sam) could have gone off to heaven together with Whoopi's character (Oda Mae) watching them and smiling.

[Alex S.]

The actual ending for "The Devil Wears Prada" is happier...

Like I said, "trend" not "unanimity."

Steph:

Last year's Last Holiday would be one. It was a remake where they converted the ending into a happy one. The Demi Moore version of The Scarlet Letter did the same thing. The original theatrical Blade Runner is worse for being a happy-ish one (though overall the original movie is, in my opinion, better than the director's cut which has a better end).

The otherwise decent Matchstick Men is undermined by its unnecessarily happy ending. As Helen mentions, The Devil Wears Prada is diminished by its happy ending (I was really hope it would finish with an ending like the underrated Swimming with Sharks).

[Clotho]

I agree, Alex. Most people like happy endings. In fact, that is the theme of "The Player", and the ending to THAT one is PERFECT, in that...

it ends so happily that even after a whole movie reminding you throughout how Hollywood only wants movies with happy endings since that is all the public wants, you are angry at it for ending so happily. "It got me!" I said as I sat watching the credits, stunned and grinning.

[bassett1976]

Can you cite some examples of movies that you think had inappropriate happy endings? Nothing is coming to mind at the moment, but I'm sure I've seen some.

How about every movie where the guy is in "love" with his hot female friend who doesn't know he exists. And after x number of years the girl suddenly realizes that he is "the one."

This contributed to a sorry ideology in my life for many years before I finally met my wife. ;)

Sorry, it had to be said.

[timl33]

Return of the King. Just pick ONE ending already!

[disneyperson]

I still don't get the ending to Grease. Why they fly off in the car is beyond me.
I don't like Grease and the thing I hate most is the ending. Let's see, the only way to get and keep the boy of your dreams is to dress like a slut. Yup, that about sums it all up.:rolleyes:

A.I.Artificial Intelligence one ending would have sufficed, thankyou. The stupid little happy ending feels soooooo tagged on.

Little Shop Of Horrors, arrggghhhhhh! They are SUPPOSED to die!

[Andrew]

Return of the King. Just pick ONE ending already!
Clue. Just pick ONE ending already!

[disneyperson]

Clue. Just pick ONE ending already!
I like the Miss Scarlett one the best.

[tinker3]

My neighbor and I just got done watching "The Wicker Man" it just came out on video. It's supposed to be a thriller, but I just thought it was annoying and the ending was the most annoying part!

I am guilty of loving a happy ending. That's probably why I love Disney movies so much. I am O.K. with documentaries and "based on real life" stories not having them, but IMO life throws enough unhappy endings I like feeling entertained and happy when I watch a movie. Just my opinion!

[jcruise86]

Tie: "Prancer" and "Contact." Oh, and "Armageddon" should have ended with a refund for my ticket. As is so often the case, "South Park" said it best, "If there is a god, why does Michael Bay get to keep directing movies?"

And I disagree with you "Pay if Forward" bashers. I loved it. Have you checked out the Matchgirl animated short that was included with the "Little Mermaid" DVD re-release? Wonderful! But I bet you "Pay if Forward" dissenters didn't like that either, did you?

Opus1guy, you're sick, but always interesting.
SNL did a great ending of "It's a Wonderful Life" in the 80s.


OK, I just read the furious "Just one movie!" warnings, so I'n now editing in a
RAMBLING ON WARNING!
I listed some more movies below. Sorry. I have an MFA from USC Film School and once I get started on movies I have trouble shutting up, so you should probably stop reading now, unless you don't have a short attention span.

I was pleasantly surprised by "Rocky Balboa," though I went in with low expectations.

Ever see "Testament" with it's Oscar-nominated (Best Actress) performance by Jane Alexander? Rent it when you want to feel good.

And as further proof that I was best suited for the Jungle Cruise, I thought that last year's documentary "Grizzly Man" was hilarious. That guy was so annoying that I would have enjoyed a commentary by Rush Limbaugh, and I write that as an independent!

"Scarface" should have toned down his sister's final scene.

SPOILER ALERT: I'm such a Jimmy Stewart fan that I think the wrong guy got the woman in "The Philadelphia Story." And Nina Foch was the more interesting woman in "An American in Paris."

"Buttman's New York Adventure" never revealed the women's motivation. Just kidding.

[Park Freak]

I don't like Grease and the thing I hate most is the ending. Let's see, the only way to get and keep the boy of your dreams is to dress like a slut. Yup, that about sums it all up.:rolleyes: THANK YOU!!!! I thought I was the only one in the world that thought this way!! When he tries to be "good" it's all lame and embarrasing, but when she becomes "bad" then that's all right? It's always up to the woman to change for the guy??? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[cstephens]

When he tries to be "good" it's all lame and embarrasing, but when she becomes "bad" then that's all right? It's always up to the woman to change for the guy??? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

But they each did change for the other.

[cheshirecatgirl]

The ending to the movie version of Circle of Friends was wroooong! In the book, Benny does NOT end up with the boy of her dreams, which was good because he cheated on her and was a total dingbat. But in the movie, they wanted a "happy" ending, so they got back together and the last scene is of them sneaking into the cabin to do it. Bleh. That was just wrong.

[cheshirecatgirl]

I am not opposed to unhappy endings, I just really hate DEPRESSING movies. City of Angels was extremely depressing.

I agree that Sandy shouldn't have turned into a slut to get her guy, but I still really love the songs in that movie!

[Klutch]

I don't like Grease and the thing I hate most is the ending. Let's see, the only way to get and keep the boy of your dreams is to dress like a slut. Yup, that about sums it all up.:rolleyes:THANK YOU!!!! I thought I was the only one in the world that thought this way!! When he tries to be "good" it's all lame and embarrasing, but when she becomes "bad" then that's all right? It's always up to the woman to change for the guy??? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Mad magazine made that very point, along with a few other biting comments, in their parody of the movie. I think they called it "Greased". :fez:

I also made that point whenever my daughter watched it while growing up. ;)

[Park Freak]

Good for you Klutch :)
I also love the quote in your signature!!

[KJSJpipe]

SPOILER ALERT: I'm such a Jimmy Stewart fan that I think the wrong guy got the woman in "The Philadelphia Story."


Funny, growing up knowing the real people this was based on I am pretty sure she ended up with the right guy. Story here. (http://www.reelclassics.com/Movies/Philstory/tracylord-article.htm) They were very neat people to know.

[Squeaky]

...Actually, I enjoyed the Devil Wears Prada book ending better...

I really liked that ending better. When I saw the movie, I was expecting the *bleep* off, wondering how the sweet Anne Hathaway would pull it off, only to see that they changed the ending.... :( The ending was too soft for me. Sorry. but I liked the hard, Miranda gets what's coming to her ending. :~D

[jcruise86]

Mad magazine made that very point, along with a few other biting comments, in their parody of the movie. I think they called it "Greased". :fez:

I also made that point whenever my daughter watched it while growing up. ;)
My wife and a friend of mine feel just as strongly that "Beauty and the Beast" sends the wrong message to girls. "It's OK to go out with a guy who locked you up as long as he changed." I know--P.C. Just about any story can be interpreted negatively and characters should have flaws they overcome.

[Alex S.]

I won't go so far as to say it was the wrong ending but the end of Terms of Endearment didn't seem to serve any particular purpose in providing what happened previously with meaning or resolution.

[disneyperson]

I haven't seen the new version of Wicker Man (Nicholas Cage, bleh) but the original has a wonderful ending.