Guess everyone has a different opinion on how it should end, and maybe there was a couple different ways to go, but the way they did it seems the best. You say typical? Not sure too many people would've guessed this ending. Yeah maybe some would have guessed Jack would have let him go, but not HOW he did.
And you say disappointing? How would you have done it different? What other ways to end the movie? Jack turning him in, and walking away? That would have been disappointing. They set Jack up Jack and John forming some type of connection, that builds through the movie, then he would turn him in? Nope.
I think this movie has stood the test of time due to many reasons. Perfect choices for all the parts. Great writing, comedic mixed with drama. That the film was shot in sequence and on location, including the short scene set in New York. The chemistry between the cast, notably DeNiro and Grodin. And , of course the ending. It made sense and fit with how the story played out.
Simply, they had formed a bond, not necessarily a friendship, and had shared an adventure. Jack did what he wanted, got the Duke back in time. His principles. Like not going on the payroll of Serrano. Ad since he did now have a bond with John, how could he let him go to prison and possibly killed.
Each character, if you think about it, stuck to his own beliefs, right or wrong, and that's how it finished up.
-Walsh, doesn't go the payroll, and lets John go cause he doesn't want him hurt
-The Duke, originally took mob $ to give to,charity, and now gives to Jack for letting him go, no questions asked.
-Eddie, chewed out by Jack, and loses the $450,000 and probably his business
-Serrano, stayed to his character, and had to punch through, getting arrested
....and so on.
We would have probably been surprised if Jack had turned him in, thereby negating everything the movie had been setting up to that point.
And whats wrong with a happy ending, especially in this movie the way you got invested in the characters. It's how they did it, that tied up the movie , perfectly
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franzkabuki
12 years ago
"They set up Jack and John forming some type of connection".
That´s the problem - they should have foregone them becoming some kinda back slapping buddies in the first place. Not only does it feel awfully calculated for cosy effect to win over the audiences, but it is hard to believe De Niro´s character would warm up to this ultimate nagging pain in the ass in the first place. And this isn´t the only instance where the film is marred by disingenuous use of sentimentalist short cuts - the worst offender being the whole deal in Chicago with De Niro´s goddamn little daughter; I mean, is there a lazier, more cliched and annoyingly cutesy way of manipulating the viewer sympathies, than to wheel out one of these sweet daughter-gals?
Overall, it´s a rather fun little film, has a nice sense of adventure, but nevertheless has Ultra-Mainstream Commercial Product written allover it.
"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan
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