MovieChat Forums > Country Strong (2011) Discussion > Different interpretation of ending (spoi...

Different interpretation of ending (spoilers)

posted 14 years ago by plzdontstopthemusic
8 replies | jump to latest

I thought her singing "Coming Home," committing suicide, and finally being with the baby she lost among the stars--as she mentioned during her breakdown during the first stop--make perfect sense. Her confession in Chiles' lap about being a mother one day, and proving to a loving crowd Coming Home was the song for her was what made her suicide not that confusing.

Love and the stage can't exist and the love between her and James was obviously not as strong as it use to be, but I think the real love could also be the maternal love she couldn't move on from. Especially after making a point to see the Make A Wish kid.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nickydimes 14 years ago

As far as the Oscar nod thing, probably. But I thought her killing herself was tacked on unnecessarily. She could just as easily have quit singing altogheter and looked for the "love" she couldnt have while being a star.

I HATE movies that feel the need to kill one of the stars because its too complicated to find an ending!

[–] dreamingoflondonskies 14 years ago

But really, she couldn't have bounced back in the slightest bit to give the story a semi-barely-there happy ending for her. I honestly saw no way out for her, and I don't approve of or want to make it seem like suicide is okay. Because it's unfortunate and sad, and I wish it wouldn't happen to people. But, somehow, it fit for her and the story that Shana Feste was telling us. Everyone had to move on with their lives, and Kelly still being on tour, and struggling with herself and her loved ones, it was never going to get better for her, at least not to tie up the story in time that would be satisfying for viewers.
To the OP: that's a neat interpretation and it could apply to this very well. It's like a positive look at her suicide, if that could be positive at all..haha.

[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 14 years ago

First, I believe the "Oscar nod" theory is unlikely. This film just did not have the look of a movie purposely made as "Oscar bait". If this were indeed Oscar bait, Gwyneth would have had a death scene.

Her death was, I believe, the only possible ending. Her husband was driving her and was depriving her of any true love. She wanted a more domestic life and to have another child, while James was making that impossible. And so she didn't see any other way out.

I'm the kind of guy, when I move - watch my smoke. But I'm gonna need some good clothes though.

[–] alexrex20 14 years ago

Wow, really? There was no other way out than suicide?

[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 14 years ago

"--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, really? There was no other way out than suicide? "

That's not what I said.

To a clear mind, of course there were better ways out. But her mind wasn't clear. It was affected by vodka and by the pressures put on her, as well as the denial of love from her husband and the denial of the chance of another child.

And given her state of mind, suicide was the most believable ending.

I'm the kind of guy, when I move - watch my smoke. But I'm gonna need some good clothes though.

[–] brianhclark-1 14 years ago

That happens quite a bit with people who are depressed or suicidal... People think that they have "gotten better" or "snapped out of it" which isn't the case. What they have done is finally made up their minds that they are actually going to end it and they are extremely happy and confident in that decision. Then, BAM they are gone... and stupid people wonder why.

[–] Eightythreeyearoldguy 14 years ago

I believe the film did an excellant job in portraying the above. You could tell that Gwyneth's character had decided what she would do when she gave her advice the Chiles.

I'm the kind of guy, when I move - watch my smoke. But I'm gonna need some good clothes though.