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Movies That Kill Off the Main Character

Messages
10,931
Location
My mother's basement
Well, I doubt it! He's stronger than you think.....

You are the first I've known to doubt that the main character meets his end when the screen goes black. So I noodled around the 'net a bit and saw that you aren't alone in that view. Still, the guy who directed the film makes pretty darned clear in this interview ... http://www.film.com/movies/darren-aronofsky-interview-the-wrestler#fbid=uC3yxad1HEV ... that the character croaks.

Here's the pertinent part. "DA" is Darren Aronofsky, the director.



LL: As a director I think it’s fair to say you leave a lot up to audience interpretation. What we make of it is up to us. You’re not into giving answers …

DA: Yeah, it’s important to respect your audience. Audiences are pretty sophisticated and smart. We’ve all seen so many f*%ing movies and we know how they all work out. It’s nice to allow people to talk about things afterwards and not just be hand-fed stuff.

LL: So me and the guy who just interviewed you, Brad Brevet (here’s his interview too if you want more Aronofsky for your dollar) have argued about the ending to The Wrestler. And I don’t know if it’s our worldviews or what… but we have really different takes on what happens at the end.

DA: Yeah, he’s completely wrong. What did you think?

**QUASI SPOILER ALERT START**

LL: I said that he dies in the last scene. He dies jumping off the ropes.

DA: Yeah, if not now, when? That was my answer.

LL: He’s a timebomb.

DA: Yeah, there’s been a few people like that (with Brad’s interpretation). I think they just like him (The Ram) so much. But it’s pretty obvious what’s going on.

LL: And he’s dies doing what he loves … he dies happy.

DA: Yeah.
 
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1961MJS

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,370
Location
Norman Oklahoma
Hi

I don't have any new examples of movies where the hero dies during the movie, especially at the end. I will note that killing the hero off at some point DOES have the attraction of driving a stake through the heart of the Endless Sequel. Rambo was good, Rambo II was pretty good, ... Not to pick on Stallone, but Rocky was good, Rocky II was good, but I'm concerned about a 75 year old Stallone wearing those patriotic boxing shorts.

This is one good thing about the Duke, the sequels made sense, and ended quickly.

Later
 

MisterCairo

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,005
Location
Gads Hill, Ontario
Fair enough, but the film in fact ends with a fade to black as he jumps off the ropes. Whatever the director's intent, the audience is left in literal doubt, and therefore able to draw their own conclusions.

I conclude he lives happily ever after with Marisa Tomei!


You are the first I've known to doubt that the main character meets his end when the screen goes black. So I noodled around the 'net a bit and saw that you aren't alone in that view. Still, the guy who directed the film makes pretty darned clear in this interview ... http://www.film.com/movies/darren-aronofsky-interview-the-wrestler#fbid=uC3yxad1HEV ... that the character croaks.

Here's the pertinent part. "DA" is Darren Aronofsky, the director.



LL: As a director I think it’s fair to say you leave a lot up to audience interpretation. What we make of it is up to us. You’re not into giving answers …

DA: Yeah, it’s important to respect your audience. Audiences are pretty sophisticated and smart. We’ve all seen so many f*%ing movies and we know how they all work out. It’s nice to allow people to talk about things afterwards and not just be hand-fed stuff.

LL: So me and the guy who just interviewed you, Brad Brevet (here’s his interview too if you want more Aronofsky for your dollar) have argued about the ending to The Wrestler. And I don’t know if it’s our worldviews or what… but we have really different takes on what happens at the end.

DA: Yeah, he’s completely wrong. What did you think?

**QUASI SPOILER ALERT START**

LL: I said that he dies in the last scene. He dies jumping off the ropes.

DA: Yeah, if not now, when? That was my answer.

LL: He’s a timebomb.

DA: Yeah, there’s been a few people like that (with Brad’s interpretation). I think they just like him (The Ram) so much. But it’s pretty obvious what’s going on.

LL: And he’s dies doing what he loves … he dies happy.

DA: Yeah.
 
Last edited:
Messages
13,460
Location
Orange County, CA
Hi

I don't have any new examples of movies where the hero dies during the movie, especially at the end. I will note that killing the hero off at some point DOES have the attraction of driving a stake through the heart of the Endless Sequel. Rambo was good, Rambo II was pretty good, ... Not to pick on Stallone, but Rocky was good, Rocky II was good, but I'm concerned about a 75 year old Stallone wearing those patriotic boxing shorts.

This is one good thing about the Duke, the sequels made sense, and ended quickly.

Later

I don't know about that, look at Bobby from the TV show Dallas... or am I just dreaming? :p
 

W-D Forties

Practically Family
Messages
684
Location
England
Gladiator.

I personally like it when the main character dies as it shows the writer or director has guts, LA Confidential is a great example. Like Edward I always feel cheated when they tack an artificial 'happy' ending on.

Atonement makes me howl for day, however. My husband hates it when I watch that so I usually indulge in a sob-fest with a bottle of wine for company when he's out!
 

MisterCairo

I'll Lock Up
Messages
7,005
Location
Gads Hill, Ontario
Well, that's saved me the cost of a rental!

Gladiator.

I personally like it when the main character dies as it shows the writer or director has guts, LA Confidential is a great example. Like Edward I always feel cheated when they tack an artificial 'happy' ending on.

Atonement makes me howl for day, however. My husband hates it when I watch that so I usually indulge in a sob-fest with a bottle of wine for company when he's out!
 

DNO

One Too Many
Messages
1,815
Location
Toronto, Canada
"Pride of the Yankees." Still a heartbreaker, even though you know going in that it's coming.

But if memory serves, the main character doesn't die in the film. Doesn't it end with his wonderful farewell speech? (Have the DVD around here somewhere...time to watch it again!)
 

1961MJS

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,370
Location
Norman Oklahoma
I don't know about that, look at Bobby from the TV show Dallas... or am I just dreaming? :p

Usually, I would say I hate that whole concept, BUTTTTTTT they can do it with 2.5 men anytime they want to. Not a movie, so a little off topic. I had managed to keep Dallas forgotten for a long time too. Back in that time, I lived next door to a really nice looking girl who stayed home on Friday nights so she could watch Dynasty and Dallas. Heck, if she would have gone to Happy hour with us, she could have LIVED it, well, junior version anyway. We had a rich guy who fooled around, etc. Oh well.

LaterLater
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,722
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
But if memory serves, the main character doesn't die in the film. Doesn't it end with his wonderful farewell speech? (Have the DVD around here somewhere...time to watch it again!)

You're right at that. I think, in fact, he actually died while the movie was in production. No doubt the Hollywood publicists were in the grip of mixed emotions.
 

Formeruser012523

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,466
Location
null
Gladiator.

I personally like it when the main character dies as it shows the writer or director has guts, LA Confidential is a great example. Like Edward I always feel cheated when they tack an artificial 'happy' ending on.

Atonement makes me howl for day, however. My husband hates it when I watch that so I usually indulge in a sob-fest with a bottle of wine for company when he's out!

I didn't like the end of Gladiator, at first...then as I later thought about the story, it couldn't end any other way without leaving the audience feeling jipped. [huh]

Atonement? Ugh! I only saw the ending & was kinda glad about it. :laugh:

I don't know about that, look at Bobby from the TV show Dallas... or am I just dreaming? :p

:rofl:

I remember that as a kid & thinking it was stupid then. lol

What about Moulin Rouge?
 

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