Lolita was naked because....

you r one brilliant monster

The first message board I checked was the one called 'The End' because, like most, my first reaction was asking myself, did I miss something?, why did the chubby guy stared? who wrote the letter?, and bassically wanted to get my ending answers cleared before I went to bed.. I didn't find what I was looking inside that post so while I scrolled down looking for a similar discussion about the ending this one grabbed my attention, obviusly.

Now, before I go to bed, I'd like to share some cheap wisdom that may help other people like myself to get some sleep; I think the end is open for a reasson, the whole movie is a transition, a journey like someone said, no previous life scenes, no future, just the part where he learns, so "journey" fits as a description. Not satisfied with the ending? try to picture the writter trying to picture and ending for his story. What reasson would he have to place a son in the plot and let us know if there was any woman at all? That would be like sayin' ty for watching my insight, here's a small treat so you can go happily back to your lifes. Life is about mistery and sometimes it's more surreal than fantasy, I like it better imagined that way. So thats it, maybe theres no answer at all and maybe we are all right and the writter prolly considered many of the assumptions made here when he was molding this great story, maybe he likes to mess with our brains to make us think from once in a while, that'd be awesome! he picks quality over blockbuster, that's becomming a weird habbit these days... thanxs for all the thoughts, they helped me to get the picture in a way and sorry for the misspelling I'll prolly have, my main language is spanish.

PS. Always wondered about the woodpecker stamp, I'm from south america so could anybody in the states provide any tips about it?, does it belong to a certain zip area or something? hehe, I'm still refusing to let go some questions...

wow, nice theory and interpretation. I watched Jarmusch's The Limits of Control before this one, and had guessed that Broken Flowers may have a lot of metaphors all over it too.

but what's with the sport outfit he always wears in most of this film ? I still don't get it ...

Excellent interpretation. amazing that Jarmusch wrote the script in 2 weeks when it has such density to it. Even the last 360 degree shot definitely proves that you are correct with him being truly lonely after his journey.

The end of the world doesn't seem so bad now that you're here.

great post man you nailed it and i like the burn at the end there

Great view, man. I think you really hit the mark, about the relationship between the lovers and the stage of relationships.

1 - Passion. Hot sex. Bonding. Everything is possible. And it seems as if there is no tomorrow. Life holds still.

2 - Passion has given way to tedium. Hidden frustration. Fear of leaving because of money and children problems.

3 - Fear has turned to a will to live life to the fullest. To experience fantasies which were kept hidden for many, many years. To regain lost time. It's the time when 40+ guys start chasing teenage girls. And many 40+ women experience lesbian sex and become promiscuous. The movie "American Beauty" is a good example of this stage.

4 - All the years lost in "fear of living" and "living live to the fullest" have finally shown. It's the time when people are finally forced to see their decadence and finally realize that death is near. It's the time when the excesses of the past are reflected on the health.

5 - Impotence, lack of libido, apathy, self-pity.

6 - Death.

Really great analysis, Coffe_Monster.

Great job, (OP)Coffee Monster.

I would say though that your interpretation is excellent, except that you focused more on the daughter than the mother/ex-lover.

The first has no future planned, she is simply living one day at a time. She doesn't really care if he stays or goes, no commitment, no remorse. However, Don is only looking for his son, so he's back to being himself when he finds out she has only a daughter. There isn't much concern for her lost husband.

The second is what could have been. She obviously wanted to marry Don. At first, he doesn't seem to care until he sees the picture. Now he starts to see how her life is empty, her husband is economically sensible, her life is empty without children. Don seems to understand he would rather be single than trapped in an empty marriage.(Of course it may have turned out much different) We feel like Don, we want to get out of that house as soon as possible.

The third is insane, detached and probably lesbian. There is a sort of "I'm glad she's not the mother of my child" feeling. Don tries to be kind, offering dinner or a drink, but she refuses to be cordial. Her 'assistant' seems jealous, angry, spiteful. This could have been his marriage that ended in divorce.

The fourth is a tease from the writer as it appears she may be the one ( the last on the list). She could have been married to a computer-rich guy instead of trailer-trash. Her life is miserable, her attitude even worse. Some people seem really nice, as long as they have everything that they want. But a person's true character is shown under duress. Good riddance.

The last woman couldn't be the mother of his child as she died before the letter was written. But Don mourns her now that he would want to see her and she's gone, noticeably alone (no husband or child). This makes Don realize that this is his future, having no family, no marriage or children.

The teens in this picture (from the girls on the bus, the guys and Lolita and Sunny)are all viewed as 'this could have been my child' scenario. Don is so desperate for his son that he scares away what might have been his real child.

He really should try to get his last girlfriend back. She is the present. All of the past can not be regained.

Lolita represents his early stage of life where sexual energy and wanton passion drives his forming of relationships.