Does LTROI Have A Happy Ending?

[gary13136]

This is one of the on-going debates among people who have seen the film and/or read the book; I don't think I'm giving anything away by mentioning that both end essentially the same way. In fact, while there are some plot elements which had to be altered or left out (LTROI is a fairly long novel), the film remains true to the spirit of the book; this isn't surprising, considering that JAL wrote both.

In my opinion, this is a happy ending. Eli had left Oskar because it was dangerous for her to remain in Blackeberg; yet she returned. Unless she is psychic (which is not indicated in the story), she couldn't have known Oskar was in danger; she returned because she couldn't bear to be without him. As for Oskar, in the book he had been offered the chance by Eli to become like her, but he declined; he told her, "I would like to be with you," but was unwilling to take the leap. However, that was before Eli saved his life. At the pool, Oskar's life had begun anew, which is clear from the way he went off with Eli at the end of the story. My hope is that, after not-too-long-a-time, Oskar will rethink his decision and allow Eli to turn him; this way they can be together always. Hey, I'm a die-hard romantic, I'll admit it.

And as far as getting blood, the pool should have shown them that not everyone who dies has to be innocent; there are plenty of bullies, punks, and general scum bags in the world. They could stay well-fed AND make the world better, at the same time. Hey, it could happen.

I think you have to say it's a happy ending. After all, the movie is semi-autobiographical; Oskar is the substitute for JAL. And JAL's life seems to have turned out very well indeed. Why would he want an unhappy ending for Oskar? Now what Oskar's life is to be like in an exact sense, no one knows for sure. That Oskar will allow Eli to turn him does appear to be the choice of most fans. There are a number of possibilities, I would think.

[danielma]

I've always seen it as a Bittersweet ending, even in the book.

Yes Oskar gets to be with Eli, but he in turn is kind of destroying all chances of a normal life while at it. You know what his future will entail and while yes its a happy ending that he gets to be with Eli, its also kind of a sad ending since you kind of know this kids life is destroyed by being with her in a logical and realistic sense.

So yeah i've always seen it as a Bittersweet Ending. Take from it what you want is the way I looked at it even when I first read the book that was how I looked at it.

[covenant6452]

The way I see it, Oskar only has a life because of Eli. Yes it is bittersweet, but a little sweet for either one of them is better than none at all. I hope Oskar takes the bite.

[danielma]

The way I see it, Oskar only has a life because of Eli. Yes it is bittersweet, but a little sweet for either one of them is better than none at all. I hope Oskar takes the bite.

Well what I mean is that there is a sort of naiveness about that ending.

I liken it back to The Graduate's ending where they're both sitting on a bus kind of with the look on there faces as to say "What the hell are we doing?" The thing is Oskar, presuming he doesn't take the bite which he does refuse in the book, well Oskar is going to grow up while Eli remains the same and I think the naiveness has the potential to wear out on Oskar as he does grow up. I think first love tends to be naive and while yes I believe Oskar does truly love Eli there is still going to come a time when hormones kick in, that's what I mean by naiveness. I found that interesting about the ending personally. Maybe I was the only one who thought about that, I don't know maybe there are others out there who have thought about that as well.

But this is digressing, I like the fact that it's a bittersweet ending, I like the fact that the author let us the audience take what we want from it. And as the many people who have seen the film and read the book can tell you, you can honestly take either a happy ending or a tragic ending. I like that about this story personally I like the fact that it is Bittersweet

If I had to choose though, I would say its a dubious but Happy Ending

[lombano]

I've always seen it as a Bittersweet ending, even in the book.

Yes Oskar gets to be with Eli, but he in turn is kind of destroying all chances of a normal life while at it. You know what his future will entail and while yes its a happy ending that he gets to be with Eli, its also kind of a sad ending since you kind of know this kids life is destroyed by being with her in a logical and realistic sense.

So yeah i've always seen it as a Bittersweet Ending. Take from it what you want is the way I looked at it even when I first read the book that was how I looked at it.

That's exactly how I see it. And the bittersweetness is part of what makes the ending good - a tragic ending would be very cheap, too easy. A happy ending would be too complacent, too incompatible with the story's grimness.

[Wolfchild]

And the bittersweetness is part of what makes the ending good - a tragic ending would be very cheap, too easy. A happy ending would be too complacent, too incompatible with the story's grimness.

Perfect. I have never seen anyone state this so well. Excellent job.

[stormbringer951]

All life is bittersweet. What goes up must come down.

Somebody once wrote that beauty is beautiful precisely because it is mortal, nothing beautiful lasts forever. That's part of what makes it beautiful.

[lombano]

And the bittersweetness is part of what makes the ending good - a tragic ending would be very cheap, too easy. A happy ending would be too complacent, too incompatible with the story's grimness.

Perfect. I have never seen anyone state this so well. Excellent job.

Thanks.

All life is bittersweet. What goes up must come down.

Somebody once wrote that beauty is beautiful precisely because it is mortal, nothing beautiful lasts forever. That's part of what makes it beautiful.

Yes, and LTROI is both very bitter and very sweet.

[a_contemplative_life]

And the bittersweetness is part of what makes the ending good - a tragic ending would be very cheap, too easy. A happy ending would be too complacent, too incompatible with the story's grimness.

Perfect. I have never seen anyone state this so well. Excellent job.

Thanks.

All life is bittersweet. What goes up must come down.

Somebody once wrote that beauty is beautiful precisely because it is mortal, nothing beautiful lasts forever. That's part of what makes it beautiful.

Yes, and LTROI is both very bitter and very sweet.

Amen!

[moonvibe34]

i was very satisfied when i saw the ending the first time because i was worried that Oskar and Eli would not end up together. in the end i believe thats what matters. not really knowing what happens to them is part of what makes it a great ending because their fate is left to our imaginations, which is certainly a driving force in this forum.