10 Subplots That Saved Entire Movies

Ending the story of Violet Evergarden - a story about a young woman's self actualization and growth as a human being - with her running back to the man she had defined her entire life by SHOULD have been a fundamental betrayal of the show's entire story. But this movie, more than any other on this list or that this author has seen before period, was saved by the subplots.

The subplot revolves around Violet helping a terminally ill child by the name of Julis write goodbye letters to his parents, brother, and best friend, to be delivered after he dies. This story, when combined with the film's framing device of the grandchild of one of Violet's clients trying to learn more about her, shows the viewer that the change and growth Violet underwent throughout the show HAS stuck.

Violet started off as an emotionally closed off child soldier whose dependence on Major Gilbert was simply not healthy. Contrast this with the empathetic, mature, and intelligent way she connects with the equally shut off Julis in the film, and the difference is night and day.

With all that in mind, when the film has Violet choose to go back to Major Gilbert at the end of the film, what should have felt like a betrayal was instead about as perfect an ending the series could have had. Violet is now a fully developed, independent young woman who can choose her own path. So if she decides that that path leads back to Gilbert, that's her decision.

For turning what should have been a trip at the finish line of an otherwise perfect run into a photo finish and victory lap, Violet Evergarden's subplot gets the gold for subplots that saved entire films.