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Movies without happy endings?

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Old 02-20-03, 03:52 PM
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Movies without happy endings?
Pretty much all of the movies I've seen end up with a happy ending. Are there any movies out there that do not? I can not think of any at the moment.
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Old 02-20-03, 04:00 PM
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Se7en
Bridge on the River Kwai
The Empire Strikes Back
The Cure
The Godfather
The Godfather Part II
Sunset Boulevard
Memento
The Conversation
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Old 02-20-03, 04:02 PM
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Jeepers Creepers
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Old 02-20-03, 04:04 PM
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Re: Movies without happy endings?
Originally posted by llzackll
Pretty much all of the movies I've seen end up with a happy ending. Are there any movies out there that do not?
No, there are not. All films have happy endings by U.N. law. Sorry!
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Old 02-20-03, 04:07 PM
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There’s plenty of movies that avoid the typical Happy Hollywood ending. Unfortunately, listing titles in this category provides a spoiler of sorts if you haven’t seen the movie. With that warning in mind, below are a few off the top of my head.

Spoiler:

Limbo
Sophie’s Choice
Swing Blade
They Shoot Horses Don’t They
12 Monkeys
Fail Safe
On The Beach
Paths of Glory
Breaker Morant
The Passenger
Dog Day Afternoon
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Old 02-20-03, 04:12 PM
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Originally posted by audrey
Spoiler:
12 Monkeys
I don't necessarily think that's not a happy ending. I used to think so, but...

Spoiler:
they ultimately are able to track down a sample of the virus, which was the whole goal. So even if JC had to give his life in the process, he ultimately saves the future of humanity.
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Old 02-20-03, 04:18 PM
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The Virgin Suicides
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Old 02-20-03, 04:25 PM
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One of my favorite movies of all time...
Spoiler:
American History X
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Old 02-20-03, 04:34 PM
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Originally posted by LBPound
I don't necessarily think that's not a happy ending. I used to think so, but...

Spoiler:
they ultimately are able to track down a sample of the virus, which was the whole goal. So even if JC had to give his life in the process, he ultimately saves the future of humanity.
It's been a while since I saw
Spoiler:
12 Monkeys. The ending is definitely ambiguous. IIRC it ends on the plane with the "insurance agent" sitting next to the scientist who releases the virus. What ultimately occurs is left to speculation. I see your point and agree that in the context you present the larger good is served. For me however, JC's death sets the immediate tone of the ending because we, the audience, associate with him more than the scientists of the future.


A few other titles that just occurred to me…

Spoiler:

Testament
The Rapture
The Tenant
Repulsion
Chinatown
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Old 02-20-03, 04:36 PM
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a recent movie, and all the better for its ambigious no-happiness-guaranteed ending >>
Spoiler:
Unfaithful
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Old 02-20-03, 04:38 PM
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requiem for a dream.
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Old 02-20-03, 04:47 PM
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and how could I forget two of my all-time favourites ..
Spoiler:
Brazil
Leon, The Professional


Also ..
Spoiler:
American Beauty
Amadeus
Body Shots
Deer Hunter
The English Patient
Fallen
From Hell
Last of the Mohicans
Lolita (1997)
Malena
A Midnight Clear
Moulin Rouge
Quills
Time Bandits
To Live And Die in LA
Last edited by Saxofonix; 02-20-03 at 04:49 PM.
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Old 02-20-03, 04:51 PM
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.. in fact, I just realised what a miserable bastard I am .. so few of my very favourite movies have upbeat endings.
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Old 02-20-03, 04:54 PM
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Arlington Road comes to mind.
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Old 02-20-03, 05:33 PM
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Spoiler:

Night of the Living Dead ('68)
Fist of Fury(The Chinese Connection)
New Fist of Fury
Nicholas and Alexandra
Sommersby
Reservoir Dogs
Midnight Cowboy
Spartacus

But the two Most UN-happiest endings I've ever seen,
Spoiler:
Combat Shock and The Great Silence
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Old 02-20-03, 05:33 PM
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Originally posted by joshd2012
One of my favorite movies of all time...
Spoiler:
American History X
Some others

Se7en, American Beauty, Black Hawk Down, Brazil

And in a way Pulp Fiction.Well you know, the second story is the last so...uh whatever.
Last edited by Amadeus; 02-21-03 at 08:49 PM.
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Old 02-20-03, 05:36 PM
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Spoiler:

y tu mama, tambien
the big blue
city of lost souls
dancer in the dark
don't look now
the grifters
heavenly creatures



Not sure if these all qualify, though....
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Old 02-20-03, 05:38 PM
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The Third Man

to spoilers
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Old 02-20-03, 05:52 PM
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My favorite movie - West Side Story.

Honk!
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Old 02-20-03, 06:37 PM
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Some of the movies you guys have listed, like:
Spoiler:

American Beauty
Heavenly Creatures
Last of the Mohicans
From Hell
Time Bandits
Pulp Fiction

rely heavily upon interpretation in terms of whether or not the ending is positive or negative.
The only real downer ending I can think of that really got to me was
Spoiler:
American History X
. Depending on the typical fare for Hollywood endings, one could argue that [/spoiler]Daredevil[/spoiler] didn't have that great an ending.

IMO, you could technically count
Spoiler:
LOTR:FOTR as one. The Fellowship is broken. Two are taken captive, and one of them has died. For the moment, the bad guys have won. It merely ends on a glimmer of hope.
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Old 02-20-03, 06:49 PM
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This thread is Spoiler suicide. Even if you want to discuss a movie you have already seen you pretty much run the risk of spoiling another movie you might not have seen because the spoilers have to much of a board sense. I suggest mentioning what Movie you are talking about out of a spoiler, or give some room from title to the actual spoiler.
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Old 02-20-03, 06:50 PM
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Leaving Las Vegas
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Old 02-20-03, 07:09 PM
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I hope it has nothing to do with your location... Anyway, you should get plenty of sunlight this time of the year. Anyway, on top of head I could think of these...

Spoiler:
Bicycle Thief
In the Bedroom (my interpretation)
Iris
Contempt
Clean, Shaven
I Stand Alone
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Fireworks (Hana-bi)
Koyaanisqatsi
A Night To Remember (better than Titanic)
George Washington


Let me know what others think of these films as well.
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Old 02-20-03, 08:42 PM
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The Perfect Storm
Up Close and Personal
Pay It Forward
The Green Mile
Life As A House
Heaven and Earth
Arlington Road
Braveheart
K19 The Widowmaker
Das Boot
Born on the 4th of July
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Old 02-20-03, 08:49 PM
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Nobody said City of Angels yet??
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