WARNING: *****CONTAINS SPOILERS*****
Who doesn't like a satisfying ending to a film? Being one who actually prefers the more provocative and mind-bending conclusions, I can see how being satisfied by an ending can enhance a film. This is where this piece comes in. The following is my list of 5 of my favorite satisfying endings in movies.
Citizen Kane (1941, dir. Orson Welles): This is an odd choice for me and I’ll tell you why. None of the characters experienced the ending we did. The mystery surrounding “Rosebud” was the co-star of this Orson Welles classic. Yet, by the time the film was about to end, nobody knew what it meant; except the viewers. That’s when we get the iconic shot of the burning sled with the name “Rosebud”. This is satisfying because it’s our little secret and we know something none of the characters know.
Draft Day (2014, dir. Ivan Reitman): Yes, it’s an obscure choice, but humor me. This film does capture the stress surrounding the day of the NFL Draft for a team’s general manager. However, it does stretch into a fantasy all that happens, including the ending. Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) trades away 1st round draft picks for three years to get the #1 pick on that day. After much wringing of the hands and turning every stone, he decides to turn the draft on its head. The satisfying ending was that he got the guy he wanted at #1, then getting his future picks back from the same GM who gave him the #1 pick (excuse the NFL jargon). It’s quite a lot, but it does cause a good bit of satisfaction.
John Q. (2002, dir. Nick Cassavetes): Sure, this film rubs wrongly about going to the extreme in order to address an emergency situation, nut oh, does it satisfy in the end. John Q. Archibald takes people hostage so that his son could be moved up the donor list for a new heart. Long story short, he gets what he wants. His son gets moved up and receives his new heart. John Q. unfortunately goes to jail, but we knew that. However, it doesn’t take away the satisfaction one feels with knowing this man sacrificed it all to save his son’s life.
Office Space (1999, dir. Mike Judge): Say what you will about how this film ended, but there’s a satisfaction to it. Peter (Ron Livingston) dreads going to work in the office every day. We can all relate to having a job we loathe. After Peter and his co-workers hack the accounting computers and commit a decimal point snafu, it results in them having a ton of money in their account, the guilt becomes too much and they decide to confess. Luckily, another co-worker, the bumbling Milt (Stephen Root) burns the whole building down; thus destroying everything. Peter then decides to work in construction; outside and in the sun, as he fantasized in an earlier scene with his neighbor. That can be satisfying; to leave a job you hate for something more enjoyable.
Whiplash (2014, dir. Damien Chazelle): Who could forget the ending to this rousing film? After what Andrew (Miles Teller) went through trying to appease the head of the orchestra, Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), he was screwed over once again. But alas, young Andrew wasn’t finished. Just when we thought Fletcher had gotten the knockout blow to claim victory, Andrew came up with one last hurrah. That’s when he came to the drums and hijacked the set at the festival, leaving Fletcher discombobulated and with no choice but to let the young talented drummer show his skills...and win.
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