Why No Endings Anymore?

[Twilight]

Is it just me, or does it seem like there is a new trend of Movies and TV series copping out on the endings?

Since the Soprano's final episode (which I liked by the way) it seems like a lot of writers and directors are screwing us on the way they wrap up a story.

I don't want to reveal any spoilers here, so maybe it will be hard to have this discussion here. I offer as 3 examples: The Sopranos of course, The Wire and no country for old men. These all left me feeling like there was more to the story that needed exploring.

I'm just venting because I just finished watching No Country For Old Men at work and we were all like "WTF"?? at the end. I hope this does no continue, but between the buzz over the Sopranos and the fact that NCFOM won some hefty awards, I'm sure it will

[Jon Liu]

I hate this trend. Unless there's intentional continuity in the future, I would like to see a solid ending to a film or TV's story that I am watching.

They have this "leave it to the viewers" mentality that just bugs the crap out of me.

[Epyon MX]

It's actually one of the oldest traditions in storytelling. Many Greek plays and stories left without firm resolution.

My favorite example of this style is The Graduate. At the end, Dustin Hoffman has escaped with the bride and sit in the back of the bus. They camera lingers on the two as they smile at each other and then the smile fades as they stare back into the camera.

Do they stay together? Do they split? The movie doesn't say. It asks the viewer to make up his/her own mind. The movie provided resolution on the actions of the characters, but does not completely resolve their arc.

No Country for Old Men is similar in this regard. What "end" is there in the cycle of drugs and violence? And as far as Anton Sigur is concerned, I suppose there could have been more resolution, but since the story focused on Tommy Lee Jones' sheriff, I don't think it's called for. Jones' sheriff is past his time and his capabilities to catch Sigur. So it makes sense that the story ends how it does.

In summary, I think the "no ending" as you put it is better if the story actually warrants it. However, leaving off a firm ending that wraps everything up shouldn't be a crutch to make your film feel more "artsy".

[Wondermonkey]

Actually ending a story is more of a "trend" than not. One of the oldest, and most poignant, ways of ending a story is letting the audience end it for themselves. From Opera, to Ballet, to Plays, to TV-shows and Films.

In thinking about some of the most critically acclaimed books, films and shows out there, I would imagine that there are plenty that don't wrap everything up in a nice neat package. Off the top of my head...

Apocalypse Now
Lost in Translation
The Birds
Vertigo
Volver
Quantum Leap
X-Files
The Lady or the Tiger
12 Monkeys (although that was more of a cyclical ending I suppose)

I'm sure there are a mess more. It's nothing new, and likely to continue for a long time, since it started just as long ago.

[KEEZY]

Do you want to know why there aren't real endings anymore? I'll tell you why... it's because they

[Twilight]

Originally Posted by KEEZY

Do you want to know why there aren't real endings anymore? I'll tell you why... it's because they

I agree that there are times when doing this is appropriate, but its kind of annoying when you invest 2-3 hours watching a movie, or worse 6 years following a series on TV. I could have just read the back cover in blockbuster and made up the whole story in my head and saved $5.

[MadBryan]

I'm still not over The Soprano's ending Totally WTF!!

[Big Brad]

It's fitting sometimes, but when ending a TV series like that after 6 years of being on the air is bullshit. I don't mind it with movies at all, as I like to let my mind make up something because it will be what I want it to. However, TV is different. There needs to be an end with the final episode. That's just my opinion, though, which is right.

Lost In Translation was the biggest piece of cow dung I've ever sat through. Just FYI. Why does Bill Murray insist on being in crap like Lost In Translation and those shitty Wes Anderson flicks?

I do like endings that throw you, though. You expect one thing and something completely different happens. I sometimes think that producers/directors/writers don't end movies because they didn't like the way it (the screenplay) originally ended, so they try to rewrite it, only it comes off even worse than the original.

I'm still waiting to see how many times M. Night Shyamalan can get away with a twist ending.

-Brad

[Jon Liu]

Keezy, I love you! Freakin' Awesome.

I understand that open ended endings can be suitable for some movies (the movies that Wonder mentioned are good examples), but I think the excessive amount of movies just seems absurd.

All too often it feels like a copout.

[Big Brad]

Horror movies are the biggest offenders really, setting up for sequel upon sequel upon sequel. I don't really mind it, though. I like seeing blood and guts and heads getting chopped off, even if there is no point. I guess you can say I'm more into slasher movies, though.

-Brad

[The Milk Man 09]

Did I mention that you may possible have one of the best jobs ever that really has nothing to do with watching movies or playing games lol.

But yea it has seemed like some movies lately just kinda stop.

[Causedawg 83]

I have to think that in NCFOM, the ending was very deliberate, and not a copout. I absolutely loved the movie, from start to finish.

There is one movie where the ending didn't satisfy me at all and felt like more of a copout. I'd have to see it again to verify (been a LONG time), but the Matrix Trilogy felt that way to me. It seemed like the first one was so amazing that it was impossible to beat, so they injected a crapload of money and very little creativity into the final two movies. I'm gonna watch all three of them again, because I honestly don't remember what all happened, but I just remember being very dissatisfied.

[Nolimit4show]

Originally Posted by KEEZY

Do you want to know why there aren't real endings anymore? I'll tell you why... it's because they

Everyone may be praising you but i see right through to the ugly truth!

Your just copying Dave Chappelle when he made his entrance when there was a count down and he got on stage and was about to tell everyone what he thinks about George W. Bush and the time ended and the show was over!

*Catchs Breathe*

So yeah those endings are irritating in a Few movies, No Country ended theirs pretty well, i had no problem with that. TV series bug the hell out of me with that though, cause i dont know when and where ill be able to watch the next episode if they ever have one. Its Tv though, they want people to come back, WHAT if they make a Sopranos movie that is a real finale to the series?