Ambiguous endings, with some light spoilers.

[FBSDeMorgan]

The last time I was aware of a significant brouhaha over an ambiguous ending was at the close of Inception (for me it was just about to topple over, but that’s how I chose to read it). I do recall a bit of an uproar over the ending of The Devil Inside, but I didn’t (want to) see that. As I understand that, it wasn’t so ambiguous, more of a “is that 90 minutes? Don’t forget to turn the lights off when you leave”/middle finger to the audience.

The very first time I actually devoted any significant thought to a film with an ambiguous ending came when I watched Being There for a 2nd time. Upon my first viewing I remember thinking “Ok, that’s a bit weird” but on seeing it again I got a handle on it, perhaps. Chance wanders about the grounds of the estate whilst Rand’s eulogy is being given by the President of the United States when the gardener suddenly wanders out onto a body of water (think Zod on his arrival on Planet Houston) and dips his umbrella into it, proving that it’s not a puddle he’s on. It could be interpreted in a good number of ways (I've argued with friends over the various suggestions) and I have my preferred choice.

To me, though, it is simply how you choose to perceive it that makes it such a good ending; it gives you the power to decide. It’s not a cop out or a weak ending. And, strangely, it’s neither a particularly good nor bad ending either, in the sense that the hero has neither succeeded nor failed (is Cobb dreaming or not? He sees his kids again regardless).

Generally speaking it is the more ‘intelligent’ films that have gotten away with ambiguous endings (2001, Blade Runner, The French Connection etc). And I think it can be a good thing, done sparingly of course, I don’t think all movies would benefit from it. How would Jaws sit with you if it closed with Brody quipping “Smile you son of a...” instead of the sushi tsunami that follows along with the 2 survivors paddling back to land?

So, I kinda like them in moderation. What about you guys; you have a favourite or a way a film ends in your head?

[CaptainCrazy]

I don't know if you can class them as ambiguous endings, but recent trends - especially in the horror genre - where the film ends abruptly need to stop now.

It’s not cool or edgy and it definitely doesn't leave the ending open to interpretation. It just feels lazy and leaves the audience short-changed.

I just hate it, hate it, hate it!! Hey, where did all my toys go?

[FBSDeMorgan]

I think that's just lazy. They thought up 50% of a movie and have nowhere to go with it. Your right, I don't know why that seems to have become almost acceptable to end a horror movie like that.

Don't worry about your toys, mine are on the floor somewhere as well.

[Cueball]

On the cinema screen of my imagination, "Prometheus" actually makes some kind of sense.

[rickyroma316]

Like anything, it all depends on the story and the competency of the filmmakers. Some amiguous endings are amazing and some less so.

I think my favourite is probably Once Upon a Time in America. The final image throws so many things in the air and raises loads of questions, but it also deepens the themes of the movie (time, memory, nostalgia). It really wouldn't be as satisfying a movie if all the mysteries were revealed.

[laurabergonzini]

Best example for me in recent years was Martha Marcy May Marlene. It makes you question everything, but it's not a cop out, and it's perfectly coherent with the rest of the movie.

Another good one is Blue Valentine.

[parochial1]

I always liked the ambiguity at the end of the original Total Recall, mostly because most folk just took the film at face value because it was an Arnie film and actually just accepted he was a spy at the centre of an interplanetary conspiracy to convince him he was just a lowly construction worker. Ambiguity makes good sense of the poor plot.

Twelve Monkeys remains my favourite though. A proper paradox that you just have to let be!

[DravenCage]

I think that The Thing (Carpenter edition) is one of the best ambiguous endings ever put to film, followed by The Wrestler.

Also, despite it not being the greatest film, I did enjoy Silent Hill and the ending was quite ambiguous too.

Finally, would The Lawnmower Man's ending count?

[FBSDeMorgan]

^^Love the ending to Carpenter's The Thing! Reckon I saw it a dozen times before I spotted it!

Still one of my faves is The French Connection, unfortunately it's undone by the presence of a sequel!

[rickyroma316]

Originally Posted by laurabergonzini

Best example for me in recent years was Martha Marcy May Marlene. It makes you question everything, but it's not a cop out, and it's perfectly coherent with the rest of the movie.

Agreed.