hey there... im just wondering f someone can explain the end of this flick to me. the last scene we see of peck is that hes talking to holms about getting married, then without ever talking to her again, he winds back up with mcguire in the end scene...what happened to holms?
share I think that the viewers are left with the impression that he respects and likes Anne, but loves Kathy -- I found the Phil/Kathy relationship irritating, myself, and felt that he'd be happier (and perhaps somewhat less defensive, because more secure) with Anne -- but then, that's love -- and Hollywood. After John Garfield talks to Kathy about "hitting back" and lets Peck know that she'll do it, Peck realizes that she is "on his side" after all. (The plot makes Phil's character very devisive: a version of, "More Catholic than the Pope!")
Loved John Garfield's, Celeste Holm's, Ann Revere's, and Dean Stockwell's roles. Excellent casting!
Elia Kazan himself even said that he though the film could've been better had he put more of his passion into it, and he was disappointed that everything was solved in the end by the love story, which I agree with. The romance between Kathy and Phil was very forced, despite solid performances that Gregory Peck and Dorothy McGuire. The whole kiss-at-the-end-of-the-movie felt like the studio wanted to make more money by slapping on a happy, optimistic ending.
Oh, well. Despite the obviously dated subject matter, this is a well-made film, the Crash of its time. But the thing that makes it more interesting than Crash is that it never goes over-board or manipulative in trying to get its point across, which is what ruined the 2005 Best Picture Oscar winner for me. I just wish it had aged better.
Did he train you? Did he rehearse you? Did he tell you exactly what to do, what to say?!
I agree with the sentiment expressed here by some that the ending seemed artificial. It would have been an ideal ending if the Dorothy McGuire character had agreed with the John Garfield character, but admitted that she just couldn't face it, thus could not marry Phil Green (Peck). His principles cause him to lose his fiancee, but that is life. Predictably Hollywood has to tack on the phony, happy ending.
shareAgreed!
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"Well Jane? Are you overwhelmed?"
~Mr Rochester
Jane Eyre 2006