Everyone likes a good ending. Some movies are so-so but have a memorable conclusion, which helps you forget the previous 90 minutes you felt like you were wasting. Others are great throughout, and as the movie winds down, you hope and pray that the ending doesn't ruin it. And when it doesn't, you walk away with a great movie experience. A real bonus is when the ending isn't what you were expecting, and was even better than you were hoping for. And that's the category the following five films fall into. These are movies I enjoyed watching for two hours, hoping for a satisfying ending. And got one that was more than I expected.
1. The Usual Suspects (1995): Simply a brilliant ending to a great mystery where you spend most of the movie trying to figure out who's doing what. And when the answer is revealed at the end, most people would be surprised. The film did a great job not providing too many hints.
2. La La Land (2016): Another movie that blew me away while watching it, and I remember sitting there thinking to myself, "please don't ruin it with a cheesy ending!". And they didn't. I actually choked up a little as the two main characters, both living their dreams, acknowledged what each did for the other to help accomplish that, with a subtle nod and smile as they parted, probably forever.
3. Mr. Holland's Opus (1995): Very moving ending as a school and community celebrate the forced retirement of a long time music teacher in a very memorable and touching way. Didn't see it coming.
4. Miracle on 34th Street (1948): My favorite Christmas movie about a man who insists he's the real Kris Kringle. The movie never gives us an answer, but leaves us with a tantalizing clue in the last scene of the movie. Basically, they left the decision to us!
5. Big Fish (2003): My favorite Tim Burton movie about a dying man retelling an amazing life story to his estranged, and skeptical son, who tires to verify his dad's elaborate stories. After his dad dies, some interesting revelations are revealed at his funeral. Again, a very moving and unexpected ending.
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