Customer Reviews

The End

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Burt Reynolds directs and stars in this much underrated black comedy which also features Dom DeLuise, Sally Field and Carl Reiner. Reynolds plays Sony Lawson who is diagnosed as having a toxic blood disease. From this rather bleak premise stem a series of hilarious sequences, including the diagnosis itself by a very unsympathetic doctor, and Reynolds confessing his sins in church to a juvenile priest. Adamant that he'll die with dignity, Reynolds resolves not to tell his daughter, parents, girlfriend or ex-wife about his terminal illness, and he tries to cope with it himself by committing suicide. But his plan goes wrong and he finds himself in a mental hospital where he meets DeLuise (in a performance tour de force)who agrees to 'help' him. The resulting scenes of DeLuise's failed attempts to kill Reynolds are brilliantly executed moments of comedy. Tiring of these failures, Reynolds escapes from the mental hospital and again decides to do the job himself. It is really quite a shame that this film has been virtually forgotten. The concept of someone facing such monumental adversity is a universal theme, and this work is much better and more intelligent than higher-profile Burt Reynolds outings such as 'Smokey And The Bandit'. Perhaps this video release (is a UK version in the works?) and Reynolds' recent success in'Boogie Nights' will help gain this film more than just a cult following. It certainly deserves it. And there's even some atmospheric music from Frank Sinatra and Glen Campbell to enjoy too.

I think this is one of Reynold's top three films. It is an hysterical movie about someone who is dying. There are numerous lines from this film that have become part of my vocabulary. Dom DeLuise jumps off the top of a building, doesn't die and says "you were right, it's not high enough". Even the music by Paul Williams is good. I don't know why this film doesn't get more word of mouth, it rates with Mel Brooks for laughs per minute. Do yourself a favor and watch it and you will want to own it.

Burt Reynolds allows us to laugh at ourselves by our bargining skills that we have developed with God. Towards the end of the of the movie, Burt discovers that he wants to live, and thus bargins with God to let him live after attempting to drown himself by swimming out to sea. To show his sincerity to God, he dedicates at first 80 percent of his yearly earning and holding to the church. As Burt gets closer to shore and sees that in fact he will make it out alive, he lowers the percentage to a fraction of the original 80 percent earlier promised. The movie starts slow, but finishes with a punch by reminding all of us that we are not so different after all in private.

There are many great scenes and laughs in this movie, but unforgettable are Carl Reiner as Dr. Minette, Burt's ocean swim, and every second that Dom Deluise is on the screen. It's about suicide (seen through the eyes of Woody Allen and Mel Brooks, all rolled into one), but you wind up feeling great about life.

I've been on a bit of a Dom Deluise kick lately and after watching the under appreciated 'Fatso' I decided to revisit 'The End'. I had not seen this film in many years to the point where I didn't remember 90% of it. The film starts quite funny and it even reaches hilarious results in spots(the confession with Robby Benson is pure gold!).

I like Burt Reynolds, but he hasn't always made such great films. Fortunately, he added Dom Deluise to this kooky dark comedy and when things get a little boring, Dom is always there to add some much needed humor. This is nowhere near as smart as 'Fatso', but I found this film to be better than average for these types of films.

I have not laughed this hard in ages. Ok the premise is that a man is dying and wants to spare his family, by killing himself. On the surface that's not funny, but this movie had me in stitches. Burt Reynolds plays bumbling very well. Joanne Woodward is a riot as the liberated ex-wife! Her scenes are not to be missed. ~ (comedy, drama, the woman is a genius!) Sally Field is neurotic and kooky. Dom Deluise is deranged. Oh boy did I have a ball. Recommended viewing for those with a twisted sense of humour.

I was looking for this video for a while. Amazon had it in stock and I was ecstatic to add it to my collection. Burt Reynolds and Dom Deluise are absolutely hilarious.

Putting these actors together is a sure mix for total insanity! You will need a box of kleenex though, cause you'll laugh until you cry!

I just love "The End," a comedy about dying,and the funniest ending I've ever seen in a movie.Burt's in the Ocean,far from land,ready to kill himself.Then he changes his mind.He promises the Lord everything when he thinks he can't make it to shore.As he gets closer to land, he cuts his deals to God when he knows he's going to live.Dom DeLuise steals the movie,and Sally Fields never looked sexier.Also,Robby Benson as the young Priest is so funny.Untill this time Robby never was in a comedy.Burt Directed "The End," ...If anyone has never seen this movie you should.Its one of my all time favorite comedys.

Though Burt trying to kill himself is dark, this is a fantastic comedy. The list of names who appeared...Robbie Benson as a fledgling priest is a classic. Treat yourself and folks you love. This is a FEEL-GREAT movie!