Scott: Goblins – Last Scene

So this movie has been in my head for quite some time. It’s the one about the two that fall in love, change each other, and discover their new selves fit better elsewhere. You know… with the hair. I used to refer to this as “Sunset Soon Forgotten” but that’s the title of an Iron and Wine song so for now I’m calling it “Goblin” after Goblin Valley which is where it all begins. I’ve realized that I like a lot of things about it but the ending I came up with is contrived. So here’s a new, more subtle ending…

But first, for those unfamiliar with the film, a brief summary of it’s dramatic action:

Ryan meets Beth at Goblin Valley.

Beth is sad and bald. Sad because of the malfunctioning brain-chemicals she inherited from her mother combined with said mother’s recent departure. Bald from her leukemia treatment.

Ryan has long hair and really digs Beth’s “depth.” He finds her jaded perspective endearing and mysterious. He falls in love with her broken self and she falls in love with his love for her.

But Beth wasn’t always this way. The memories of her cheerful, simple self from years passed, when her brain-chemicals behaved themselves, add a tinge of bitterness to her current state.

In Ryan she finds a cure. Not only does he love her as she is, he likes her better this way. He makes her see that the new her is the real her and if people don’t find beauty in her depression, their devotion to her is shallow.

Ryan fancies himself a free-thinker. He is anti anything that even resembles The Man and as such refuses to get a hair cut and get a real job. This makes it difficult for him, however, to realize his dreams of world travel. It is suggested to him that he work at an airline for the employee travel benefits but that would involve settling for employment that utilizes none of his specific interests and abilities and therefore falls under the category of giving in.

They date. Ryan strives to “expand her world.” They make fantastic plans and buy one-way tickets to Brazil. Beth returns to school for one last semester (as she promised her Dad) after a long stint of online classes with renewed confidence. Ryan has his hair chopped off and made into a wig for Beth as further proof of his feelings for her. This relationship is intense.

At this point Beth hasn’t looked or felt better in years. Her personality blossoms and she remembers what it was like to be adored not for being different, but for being pretty, sweet, and humble – qualities Ryan certainly appreciates, but not as much as some of Beth’s new acquaintances. A boy sees in her a profound simplicity and promptly falls for her. And the feeling is mutual.

Beth breaks it to Ryan by pointing out that he made her who she is now, but that person is someone with whom he would not be able to fall in love with had they just met.

Ryan seeks closure by returning the plane tickets in-person. As he’s waiting in line, he notices that his hair is more-or-less professional-looking for the first time in a long time. After he is refunded for the tickets, he asks for a job application.

LAST SCENE

A shot of a plane flying away is followed by a frisbee gliding silently through a spring afternoon sky. The muttled sound of Ultimate players exchanging soft commands and sincere praise fades in as the camera slowly moves straight down, revealing heads jumping in and out of frame. As we get a shot of Ryan it is apparent by the mountainless backdrop that he has relocated. His long, fat side-burns suggest an elapse of some time as does his serene manner. His hair is still short.

The winded Ryan makes an assist and after giving the guy who scored a high-five walks to the side-line and signals for someone to take his place. He sits on the grass and as he catches his breath notices a girl sitting on a blanket watching the game who looks strikingly like Beth from behind. His curiosity getting the better of him, Ryan scoots up next to her and takes a probing look at her face. It’s not her. He sees that she’s noticed his attention and is uncomfortable.

Ryan: “Sorry… I just… I thought you were someone else.”

Girl: “Oh… Am I?”

Ryan: (laughs) No.

Girl: Well I’m glad I’m not someone else.

Ryan: Me too. (pause) So who are you rooting for?

Girl: My husband. You know Jack?

Ryan: Oh yeah I know Jack.

Girl: Today’s actually his birthday.

Ryan: Oh cool! So… you two gonna go do something special after the game?

Their conversation is interrupted as JACK limps off the field and RYAN leaps up to take his place. As he plays, RYAN shoots repeated glances at the couple on the side-line as they chat the chat of natural, contented lovers. He smiles.

As the game dies down, RYAN slyly rounds up the players on his team and informs them of a covert op. An uninformed JACK joins the circle for the traditional cheer. They put their hands together and on the count of three surprise JACK with a round of Happy Birthday, led by RYAN.

A few minutes later, as everyone is leaving, JACK and GIRL, now holding hands, approach RYAN.

JACK: Hey Ryan, you got plans tonight? Wanna come celebrate with us?

RYAN: I would but I’m flying to India.

JACK: (Thinking Ryan is joking) India? Dude, come with us, we’re going to Paris!

RYAN: Sorry. You guys take it easy.

They start off in different directions.

JACK: Allright. Later Ryan!

GIRL: Bye Ryan!

RYAN shoots them a peace sign and gets in his car.

The End

This is obviously a little different from your average Hollywood ending. It is supposed to feel extremely casual and light which is a big contrast to the rest of the movie. Ryan is calm for the first time. I also found the idea of introducing two new, inconsequential characters at the end intruiging. It’s supposed to almost feel like the beginning of a new movie, like a Romantic Comedy or something. Their interaction with Ryan marks his final closier which doesn’t happen with one dramatic epiphany but, like the floating frisbee, sinks in the sky until, in this scene, it gently comes to rests on the ground.