MovieChat Forums > The Locket (1946) Discussion > The End Discussion (spoiler)

The End Discussion (spoiler)

posted 14 years ago by nutritionist
6 replies | jump to latest

I would like to discuss the end. So if you don't want spoilers do not read this post.

In the end the new fiance discusses Nancy's future with her ex the psychiatrist, who tells him that there may be a future for her if he can love her enough to stick with her. His mother, who evidently was the woman who had accused Nancy as a child, discouraged him from going with her to the hospital saying there was nothing to be done with her. But in the end he did go with her- we see him going out the door at the very end. Was this what I thought it was- that the fiance still went with her to show that he was still going to stick with Nancy and that she was even able to capture this husband despite even her mental breakdown and him knowing the truth about her? And that this was the mother's comeuppance for her mean behavior, to have her son go with Nancy- this deranged woman?

[–] Local Hero 14 years ago

I just saw it for the first time today (I assume you also watched it on TCM). I did think that the new fiance was walking off with Nancy, indicating his willingness to try to remain supportive of her, to stick with her. I didn't see this so much as yet another manipulative coup on Nancy's part (although I suppose that interpretation is possible), as I thought Nancy has had a real mental breakdown at this point and has lost her former, pathological guile (what would today be called a personality disorder). However, I did get the sense from this that possibly the cycle of doomed men will continue.

And for what it's worth, I didn't see the ending as the mother's comeuppance. Quite the opposite. I saw the mother's final comments as a very dark and cynical note. She has learned nothing, and her laissez-faire, let-the-riff-raff-and-social-inferiors-perish-as-they-are-supposed-to ideology-- the very worldview that began the whole cycle of suffering-- carries on.

[–] nutritionist 14 years ago

I see your point about the mother showing her true colors about her uncaring and cruel nature. However, I see the mother's comeuppance as the fact that her darling son, her rich son, has gone off with the crazy girl who just embarrassed her in front of her society friends. This will crush her.

Also, it is not that Nancy is now manipulating her new husband but rather it is ironic that even now, when she has had a breakdown, the men will still follow her. As you say, the cycle of men may well continue as she may manipulate her way out of therapy once she has regained composure, as we know that she is very good at it.

[–] Munstrum_Ridcully 14 years ago

I think this is a prime example of the Hayes code wrecking the natural stopping point of the story.

The film was obviously meant to end at the point Nancy is given the locket and knocks down the cigarette box, triggering her realisation that she is never going to put put her terrible past behind her, even though she now has what she has always wanted.

The last ten minutes are to conform to the Hayes Code directive that evil can never be seen to win.

René Descartes was offered a drink
he said "I think not."
And disappeared.

[–] HeywoodJablomy 12 years ago

The last ten minutes are to conform to the Hayes Code directive that evil can never be seen to win.

I never really thought about it, but you're probably right. It would have been better if it ended after she takes the locket.

Good movie in any case.

[–] first-things-first 11 years ago

You are probably right about the Hays Code. But what if she had a breakdown? The past too much to bear? Therapy could heal her and she could pay for her crimes. That happens too. But the better "story" is that she continues the cycle until she meets the wrong guy. The men in her life wanted to take care of her. But there are only so many of them....

If we can save humanity, we become the caretakers of the world

[–] mdonln 9 years ago

John going off by Nancy's side shows what a hold she has on men and how ridiculous men can be when they find a woman attractive. Frankly, I think they’re all at least as crazy as she is. And, yes, women often lose their minds over men as well. Men don’t have a patent on it but these guys take the cake.

Guy 1, Norman Clyde: He learns that she's an unrepentant thief yet he covers up for her and stays by her side. That was his first mistake. Next, he sees her running out of a room in which a man has just been shot but, again, he stays with her and is willing to believe her story. He takes on all the guilt she doesn't feel and kills himself.

Guy 2, Dr. Blair: Norman gives him the whole rundown on his wife including how she killed one guy and is letting another one hang yet he sticks by her side. What's worse, the guy is a mental health professional but has no inkling that his dearly beloved has some serious mental health issues. It seems he might have some too.

Guy 3, John Wills: He describes her as 'perfect' (that in itself is lunacy) yet after he gets an ear full from the doctor revealing some very deep personality flaws his soon-to-be wife has, he ignores it all and is ready to go through with the wedding anyway. She passes out cold; giving him another chance to be free but he stays put. Now, he's going to latch on to a psycho, throwing his own life away.

Woman, man! That's the way it should be Tarzan. [Tarzan and his mate]