Movies, objects of culture that bring joy to so many, from geek to Guardian reader, from optimist to nihilist, are nothing without the perfect finale to close everything off. Yet the way a film wraps up speaks to everyone differently. Cheer and optimism is the bread and butter of mainstream Hollywood, so were used to seeing happy endings on the big screen, but for the more morbidly inclined, bleak endings are just that bit more satisfying. Cineastes the world over love their movies dark - for some, happy endings just dont cut it. On occasion, however, some cruel, unforgiving filmmakers have to take it too far. Think Derek Vinyards brother getting killed at the end of American History X after hes been reformed, or everyone just getting straight-up nuked to death at the end of Miracle Mile, just as the heroes are about to escape - what the hell was that? See, theres a balance between making a films climax unforgivably depressing and having it all too hopeful. Sometimes, even the most tragic of endings can be saved by a glimmer of hope, however small, and that hope can be just enough to keep you sane, despite all the incredible misery attempting to drag you down.
Lover of film, writer of words, pretentious beyond belief. Thinks Scorsese and Kubrick are the kings of cinema, but PT Anderson and David Fincher are the dashing young princes. Follow Brogan on twitter if you can take shameless self-promotion: @BroganMorris1
