The End (1978/I)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Burt Reynolds

Writer:

Jerry Belson (writer)

Release Date:

10 May 1978 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Are there laughs before death?

Plot:

Slapstick black comedy about a man (Reynolds) who finds that he hasn't much longer to live and has bungled his attempts at suicide.

Plot Keywords:

Black Comedy | Mental Patient | Priest | Divorce | Directed By Star

Cast

Burt Reynolds	...	Wendell Sonny Lawson
Dom DeLuise	...	Marlon Borunki
Sally Field	...	Mary Ellen
Strother Martin	...	Dr. Waldo Kling
David Steinberg	...	Marty Lieberman
Joanne Woodward	...	Jessica Lawson
Norman Fell	...	Dr. Samuel Krugman
Myrna Loy	...	Maureen Lawson
Kristy McNichol	...	Julie Lawson
Pat O'Brien	...	Ben Lawson
Robby Benson	...	Father Dave Benson
Carl Reiner	...	Dr. James Maneet
Louise LeTourneau	...	Receptionist
Bill Ewing	...	Hearse Driver
Robert Rothwell	...	Limousine Driver

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Company:

Gordon-Reynolds Productions

Trivia:

Sally Field's one and only feature film appearance with step-father Jock Mahoney

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Wendell Lawson slams on his brakes next to the funeral procession in front of the Church, the shadow of the Church steeple and crucifix appear on his forehead. However in the cutaway to the Church, we clearly see there are no shadows anywhere on the face of the Church, indicating that the sun is in front of the Church and not behind it, thus unable to produce a shadow on Wendell.

Quotes:

Wendell Sonny Lawson: I'm talking about dying.
Marty Lieberman: What do you mean?
Wendell Sonny Lawson: I mean lying in the ground with dirt on your face and holding your breath forever.

Movie Connections:

References Love Story (1970)

The Darkest of Comedies

Burt Reynolds is an acquired taste. The man's high-pitched laugh, obnoxious crying, hammy acting, and large crumb catcher can be a lot to swallow, even for the boldest movie goers. Though the film is consistently funny, one can not help but notice, that had the pacing been just a bit tighter, it could have been much better. Reynolds, who directed the film, takes just a little bit too long transitioning in just about every scene. As a result, there's a lot of unnecessary meandering.

The film begins with Sonny Lawson (Reynolds) finding out from his doctor that he has a toxic blood disease, and has about a year to live. In light of this tragic news, Sonny decides he's going to leave the world on his terms and kill himself. We watch as Sonny selfishly burdens his parents (Myrna Loy and Pat O'Brien), his ex-wife (Joanne Woodward), his girlfriend (Sally Field), his best friend (David Steinberg) and daughter (Kristy McNichol). The true standout scene in the first half of the film is Sonny's "last confession" to a young priest named Dave (Robby Benson). Aside from that, there are a few solid gags in these scenes, but like I mentioned earlier, the pacing may leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.

It's not until an hour in that something amazing happens. This thing? The introduction of Dom DeLuise's Marlon Joseph Borunki. The manner in how, or why this character is introduced is best left unsaid, let's just say it's one of the finest comedic performances in the history of film.

Ultimately, "The End" is a pitch black comedy with a touch of genius, it's awkward pacing and oddball performances have left many flat, but if given the right approach, viewing this film can be an immensely enjoyable, hilarious experience.

Rating: 9/10 One of the funniest films I've ever seen.