Heartbreaking...

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I purposfully read the book before watching the movie. Personally I feel the movie ending was a bit of a let down compared to the book. I was really impressed with how closely Robert Redford stuck to the book up until the point that Annie's husband Robert visits the ranch.

I was initially disappointed with the ending especially since Robert gave Annie the chance to rethink their marriage. I thought, "Well hey, Redford left out Grace finding out about Annie and Tom, so maybe Tom doesn't have to die and Annie gets Tom!"

But that Annie just left after asking Tom for one last ride, I was like, "Come on! Not cool!" I couldn't figure out why this ending. I know the movie was already running a little long (although I didn't mind), but I though perhaps Redford wanted to maintain what he could of Annie and Tom's dignity. They had a little fun with the stolen kiss, but the movie would have probably raised much more controversy if it had stuck with the book with Annie and Tom having a weekend getaway full of passionate love-making, Annie refusing to leave Tom, Grace finding out and running away, Tom getting killed to save Grace, and Annie has Tom's baby. I think people who had not read the book would have had a much bigger issue with that than the simple ending that Redford gave the film. Also, trying to add the additional plot could have easily added possibly another 30-60 minutes to the film.

Sooo... after thinking about it, I think Redford made the right choice with the film ending, but I much prefer the book as sad of a turnout it is. At least Tom doesn't die in the movie.

I think Annie would not have been any happier with Tom than she'd be with Robert. Besides, Annie is a city person; her "happiness" in the country would not have lasted long. Tom was too complacent and slow-paced for quick-minded, sophisticated Annie. And Annie knew she really needed to get home, close things with Robert and finish raising Grace.

I also felt for Annie was she wept as she drove back home; it illustrated how difficult, but necessary it was for her to leave Tom.

Wow, I tear up over the scenes with Pilgrim and Tom as he is first working with the horse to establish trust. That poor traumatized animal survived and his small steps to come back are more heart wrenching than the human story for me. I blubber throughout most of the horse scenes and loath Grace and Annie.

-- If Ewan McGregor were a lollipop I'd be a diabetic strumpet --

I wouldn't call the ending heartbreaking at all. I think that it is the correct and practical ending. Annie did the right thing by going back to her family. She has such good and loving husband and a beautiful daughter and a beautiful home and job. Basically, she has the kind of life a lot of people can only dream about.

It was wrong of Annie to let her emotions run wild with Tom. She gave in to temptation. Imagine for a moment if the roles were reversed. What if Annie was the loving and devoted wife and her husband and fallen for another woman? Would you still call that romantic? Or would you call her husband a cheater? If something is wrong, it is wrong, irrespective if a man or a woman does it.

Sometimes when everything in our life goes well, we mistakenly think of it as being "boring". Which is what Annie did. That is why when Tom entered her life, she found it exciting and new and that is always tempting. But you can't just jump into that. That kind of attraction is always temporary and not something you can spend the rest of your life with. Seriously, if Annie had stayed with Tom, then do you really think that that union would have lasted? Would Annie be happy spending the rest of her life just cooking and taking care of the children and branding cows?

Mr McGee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry!

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The book ending is corny and cliched in its own way, because it resolves the whole situation without anyone really having to make a tough decision.

And it dramatically recasts the character of Tom Booker, and not in a good way.

The movie ending is better.



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4) You ever seen Superman $#$# his pants? Case closed.

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