One of the great final scenes in film history. Incredible mediation on age, loss, and a search for meaning. Keach's character can't bring himself to realize that he's still young, thereby MAKING himself old. On the one hand, he laments the inevitability of age and a "wasted" life, but on the other hand he doesn't realize until the moment the camera freezes on his face that he's wasting his by worrying about this rather than doing something about it. No longer do we see psychological sophistication like this in American film.
Great thoughts. After I watched this movie for the first time, my interpretation was very simple: that, after all, we're all alone. But your words made me want to watch the entire movie again. Thanks.
You'd NEVER get en ending like this today. If 'Fat City' was remade today, it would end with Tully winning some stupid boxing match or Ernie winning a match with Tully as his trainer. This ending kicks ass; Tully suddenly has an epiphany that he's going to end up just like those old guys sitting at the tables (their entire existence.) And I love how director John Huston was hip enough to use two different versions of 'Help Me Make It Through the Night;' the first version (played over the opening credits) is slow and emphasizes Tully as a broken-down, hungover boxer. The version played over the ending credits is more upbeat and suggests that, although Tully is still a broken-down boxer, he at least has a good friend in Ernie who'll help him not feel so alone.
TM Rezzek thanks for your views they gave me a whole new way of looking at the ending , I always thought Tully was just punch drunk from taking too much punishment both inside and outside the ring.
Well, apparently I'm a dumbass (well, I already knew that) . But when I first saw the ending I was a lot more simplistic in thought. My take was that he looks at the men but gets an urge to go gamble with them and he thinks if he asks Ernie to stay it'll keep him from it. Like he had a vice in addition to drinking. Was just me.
One of the great final scenes in film history. Incredible mediation on age, loss, and a search for meaning. Keach's character can't bring himself to realize that he's still young, thereby MAKING himself old. On the one hand, he laments the inevitability of age and a "wasted" life, but on the other hand he doesn't realize until the moment the camera freezes on his face that he's wasting his by worrying about this rather than doing something about it.
No longer do we see psychological sophistication like this in American film.
Great thoughts. After I watched this movie for the first time, my interpretation was very simple: that, after all, we're all alone. But your words made me want to watch the entire movie again. Thanks.
robbiejohnson2011 Thank you. Much appreciated!
Mark Farnaway That's the beauty of great art: neither of us is "right". It's ALL interpretation!
Thanks for the message.
One of the great final scenes in film history.
I think so too, and I think it will resonate very strong;y with future audiences.
Would you think that The Wrestler got the same aura? i wonder if Aronofsky took notes from this masterpiece!
One of the best films ever.
“Maybe we're all happy.”. "Right?"
You'd NEVER get en ending like this today. If 'Fat City' was remade today, it would end with Tully winning some stupid boxing match or Ernie winning a match with Tully as his trainer. This ending kicks ass; Tully suddenly has an epiphany that he's going to end up just like those old guys sitting at the tables (their entire existence.) And I love how director John Huston was hip enough to use two different versions of 'Help Me Make It Through the Night;' the first version (played over the opening credits) is slow and emphasizes Tully as a broken-down, hungover boxer. The version played over the ending credits is more upbeat and suggests that, although Tully is still a broken-down boxer, he at least has a good friend in Ernie who'll help him not feel so alone.
TM Rezzek thanks for your views they gave me a whole new way of looking at the ending , I always thought Tully was just punch drunk from taking too much punishment both inside and outside the ring.
Best Movie I've seen! And I'm from Stockton! This is before my time! Thanks for this!
Wonderful. Beyond perfection. Thanks.
This scene always break my heart.
Seen this dureing a real depressing part of my life ,it made sense ,also made me realize i was my own worst enemy
I can't watch this final scene enough times strikes me to the core.
Aye i like this bit ❤🎉
the essence of the common denominator of life
Well, apparently I'm a dumbass (well, I already knew that) . But when I first saw the ending I was a lot more simplistic in thought. My take was that he looks at the men but gets an urge to go gamble with them and he thinks if he asks Ernie to stay it'll keep him from it. Like he had a vice in addition to drinking. Was just me.
Somebody know the name of the cook in this scene ? I am sure I've seen him before