Language of Film 2: The End

The end of a film is where the last clash between the hero and villain plays out. Everything in the film has been building to this point, but before this final battle takes place a strong push out of the second act of the film has to happen. Most commonly this is called the second turning point of the film.

This turning point should put the hero and his interest in such jeopardy that nothing but the utter defeat or destruction of the villain will deliver the hero from this final jeopardy. If a film fails to put the hero clearly in this kind of, back to the cliff, peril the ending seems like a continuation of the middle of the film and when the credits roll the audience will feel let down and confused.

The natural human desire for a conclusion to things stems from the fact that kept on an emotional high continuously we would fall into mental exhaustion. We want that high, but we want it to come to a climax at some point so we can rest and savor the roller coaster we have been on. Now the obvious parallels to the human sexual experience, not including what goes on in the rear seats of the theater, may lie at the root of how we like to experience a movie. An emotional set up, fulfillment, and climax is a rhythm that is very natural to us.

The ending of a film has a structure all its own apart from the beginning, middle, and end of the film. This final act has its own beginning, middle, and end that are quickly recognizable when we look at them. Once the hero realizes he is in a do or die situation there is a breathing space for him to react. When the enemy Soviet submarine shoots a torpedo at the Red October the torpedo misses giving Red October a chance to react. Moments like this are the beginning of the end, so to speak. Everyone recognizes this is it, the moment when what may have been distant sparring will become up close and personal hand to hand combat. The middle of this final act consist of that very personal fight between the hero and villain. Luke Skywalkker and the other pilots are in intimate combat with the Death Star fighting from tower to tower to reach their final goal of destroying the enemy.

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