Watch The End
- R
- 1978
- 1 hr 40 min
-
6.1 (4,353)
The End is a dark comedy from 1978, starring Burt Reynolds as Wendell Sonny Lawson, a man who is diagnosed with a terminal illness and decides to commit suicide. The film follows Sonny's attempts to end his life but is constantly interrupted by his therapist Dr. Waldo, played by Dom DeLuise, and his ex-girlfriend, Mary Ellen, played by Sally Field.
The movie begins with Sonny's diagnosis, and he decides that he wants to end his life before the illness can take hold. He initially attempts to drown himself in the ocean but is rescued by a passing boat. From there, each attempt at ending his life is met with another rescue from either Dr. Waldo, who is convinced he can cure him, or Mary Ellen, who is still in love with him.
As the film progresses, Sonny becomes more and more desperate to end his life and becomes more reckless in his attempts. He jumps off a bridge, sets himself on fire, and even tries to enlist the help of a hitman to kill him. However, each time he is thwarted by Dr. Waldo or Mary Ellen, who are both determined to keep him alive.
Over the course of the movie, the relationships between the characters become more complicated. Dr. Waldo becomes infatuated with Mary Ellen, and Sonny begins to question whether he really wants to die. The film explores themes of love, death, and the human connection in a comedic and sometimes surreal way.
The performances in The End are strong, with Reynolds delivering a nuanced and multi-layered performance as Sonny. Sally Field also shines as Mary Ellen, playing a character struggling with her own feelings for Sonny while also trying to convince him to live. Dom DeLuise provides excellent comic relief as Dr. Waldo, a character who is deeply flawed yet endearing.
The film explores dark themes but does so in a comedic way, which may not be to everyone's taste. However, for those who enjoy dark comedies, The End is a well-crafted and entertaining movie that will keep viewers engaged until the end. With an all-star cast, strong performances, and a unique perspective on life and death, The End is a film that is worth watching.
The End is a 1978 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 46.