Director Vague
This criticism is minor, for the
writer-director's fault is vagueness.
The subject matter is controversial
in Brooks' intimations towards
extramarital affairs and the
institution of marriage. Since Mary
Wilson is the protagonist of the
film, there is a degree of security in
assuming her final actions are
sanctioned by Brooks, but there is
also an insecurity in not knowing
exactly what he feels.
When seeing "The Happy
Ending" it is important to
remember that the story is told
through Mary's eyes. At her
working she envisions Elizabeth
Taylor and Spencer Tracy in
"Father of the Bride." After the
anniversary party, she sits in a
smoke-filled room watching a late
movie. The black and white image
of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid
Bergmann in "Casablanca" stares
through the darkness as a thousand
violins obscure the dialog with "As
Time Goes By." The romance of
the movies is sharply contrasted
with Mary's alcoholism and suicide,
in scenes which sway close to
cinema naturalism. These two
polarities, plus the vagueness of
Brooks' script border schizophrenia
rather that menopausal anxieties.
