Wonderful movie, terrible ending

Rating: 7/10 (30 June 2001)

This is a great film but falls flat in the ending.
The first problem I have with any movie with Tim Hanks in it anymore is that I cannot forget that it is Tom Hanks I am watching. Fortunately, Tom Hanks is such a good actor that I find myself watching him as if he were actually in the situation the movie puts him in. So, in Saving Private Ryan, for me its more like watching Tom Hanks actually being in WWII having to lead a squad of men to save a Pvt. Ryan. And, in this movie, it was like watching what happens to Tom Hanks when he is stranded on an island in the middle of the Pacific ocean. Anyhow, his acting is superb here, which is fortunate, since a huge middle portion is almost exclusively of him on the island. How he deals with existing on the island was fascinating to watch. And the device of having him befriend a volleyball was a great idea!
The depiction of the plane crash was one of the best I've seen of that kind of catastrophe. I was very impressed with the way the events in the interior of the plane were shown. It made me feel like that is what it truly would be like if that happened.
The ending, unfortunately, nearly ruins the movie for me.

*** Spoiler warning! ***
When Chuck finally escapes and returns home, he finds his former fiance is now married with children. Quite believable; so far so good. She initially can't deal with even meeting him, which is also understandable given how much her world has just been turned upside down with his return. In fact, the movie does well in the ending up to and during his visit to her house at night. You remain on edge somewhat, because they are uncomfortable and awkward with each other. They wind up in her garage where she gives him the keys to the Jeep they had when they were previously together. He pulls out of the driveway, begins to leave, and at that point the movie blows it big time. She rushes out into the rain, calling after him and he, somehow, hears her, backs up and they embrace and kiss, etc. Yes, their love never died, but circumstances force them apart. This struck me as so Hollywood, so pandering to the audience, as to be almost sickening. A far better and more likely outcome would be that they never get over the awkward, uncomfortable feeling between each other and he drives off with both of them silently accepting what they have been dealt. The film could have even shown each character, her in the garage, him driving away in the Jeep, break down in tears. But it ruins it that they connect. The situation is a tragedy and should be shown as tragic. The audience can tell well enough if they still have feelings for one another.
I can't say how the movie should have concluded, but the last scenes with him at a crossroads in Texas wondering where to go next weren't convincing either. The ending definitely needs a lot of rethinking.
*** End of spoilers ***
Overall, I am glad I saw this movie and would recommend it. Just be aware that it breaks down in the end. But everything prior to that still makes it worth seeing.
-- 7/10