re: Great movie that had a terrible ending

quote:

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I always thought he was breaking the fourth wall and telling the audience to earn or be worthy of the freedom that so many men died to give them

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Well that's an ok abstract take I suppose but that's not how Ryan took it.

Ryan closed out the movie blubbering over Miller's grave or something like that, asking if he was "good enough" or whatever.

As if Ryan wouldn't have led a decent and good life without Miller's pettiness. As if Ryan's own upbringing wouldn't have been motivation enough. As if Ryan needed any help at all appreciating the rest of his life and the sacrifices of his comrades.

Spielberg all but told us Ryan came from a good, close knit family in earlier scenes. My guess is Ryan was taught to earn it long before Miller ever entered his life.

Instead of making Miller look embittered and resentful by asking Ryan to "earn it". Spielberg should've made him look like the man he actually was. A man who just led and won a very important battle. A man who died accomplishing something great. But no, let's close this character out with him laying a petty guilt trip on someone who did not ask for or need his help.

One of the worst endings I've ever seen.