Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

The End Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 17, 2016

Suicide is an impossible topic for a movie to explore, especially one that’s hoping to trigger a few smiles along the journey. Many films have tried to include such self-inflicted violence, but the act provides a tonal tightrope walk few are able to master. Perhaps the lone example of success is Wes Anderson’s “The Royal Tenenbaums,” which explores the sinking feeling of desperation felt by one of the main characters as he slits his wrists, and somehow the production manages to rebound from such horror to reach even greater comedic heights. A long form test of mood is undertaken by 1978’s “The End,” where Burt Reynolds (who also directs) portrays a terminally ill man who wants to end it all before medical suffering begins. And it’s played for laughs. Thankfully, Reynolds brings his rascally wit and love of exaggeration to “The End,” trying to create silly but life-affirming story about a man’s darkest hour, bringing in a lively supporting cast to help him achieve jocularity instead of extended anguish.

Wendell (Burt Reynolds) has lived a troubled life, causing harm to others, but today he’s received the news that he has a rare blood disease, with only months to live. Shocked by the diagnosis, Wendell is forced to confront the mistakes in his life, visiting Jessica (Joanne Woodward), the ex-wife he cheated on; Julie (Kristy McNichol), the daughter he’s neglected to raise; Mary (Sally Field), the girlfriend he can’t pleasure; and Father Dave (Robbie Benson), a priest too inexperienced to deal with all of Wendell’s confessional purge. Not interested in treatment to prolong his life, Wendell decides to kill himself, only he can’t find the sympathy he’s fishing for as he reunites with old friends and family. When a suicide attempt goes wrong, Wendell ends up in a psychiatric hospital, befriended by Marlon (Dom DeLuise), an insane man who understands the new patient’s pain, offering him support. Coming to terms with the state of his life, Wendell remains determined to finish the job, with Marlon by his side, ready to help off his new pal.

In his second directorial outing (following up work on the 1976 actioner, “Gator”), Reynolds goes slow-burn with “The End,” treating the first half of the picture as an extended therapy session for Wendell. It takes the movie nearly 15 minutes just to work through the character’s original diagnosis, finding Wendell a mess of anxiety as he’s hit in the face with his own mortality, with his doctor (Norman Fell) offering only medical guidance, unable to provide the comfort he needs. Reynolds doesn’t play the big reveal starkly, preferring to mess around with Wendell’s stages of acceptance, permitting a few moments at the top of the feature to share comedic extremes and establish the character’s panic, which quickly transforms into purpose as suicide enters his mind.

Wendell embarks on a tour of loved ones, trying to gather sympathy and say goodbye, only to encounter self-absorbed people who fail to pick up on the neediness the dying man is projecting. With Mary, Wendell hopes for pity sex, frustrated that she’s unable to climax during lovemaking, which dents his masculinity at a particularly vulnerable time. His parents (Myrna Loy and Pat O’Brien) are wrapped up in their own lives, sharing friendliness with their only son, but not attention. Jessica struggles with Wendell’s place in her past, trying to move on to other men while her ex remains in view, unable to let go. Marty (David Steinberg) is too aloof, incapable of grasping emotional need. And Father Dave is far too young, chewing on his collar as he chats with Wendell inside a confessional booth. This leaves Julie, the youngest member of the apology tour, who seems aware of her father’s behavior, responding with love as the terminally ill man makes plans to end it all.

“The End” uses Julie as its soul, allowing Wendell to tap into emotions when thinking of his daughter and the life he’s leaving behind, confronting his selfishness. As hokey as the scenes are, they work thanks to Reynolds’s commitment, keeping the endeavor away from becoming a prolonged cartoon. The rest is played for laughs, spotlighting the star’s addiction to mischief, offering broad reactions, Polish jokes, and oral sex gags to go along with the severity of the premise. Reynolds does a competent job with tone, making sure “The End” is capable of lightness before sampling grief, working to keep Wendell somewhat human before returning him to ridiculous encounters with exasperated characters and multiple suicide attempts, bumbling missions to swallow pills and hang himself. The second half of the movie introduces DeLuise as Marlon, with the production parking for an extended amount of screen time to allow the co-stars a chance to bounce one-liners and silly banter off each other. They play wonderfully together, but Reynolds doesn’t know when to call cut, leaving the feature on the long side to tend to all of DeLuise’s routines and hair-pulling displays of madness.

The End Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation doesn't look particularly old, offering pleasingly warm and secure colors throughout, exploring greenery and costuming with acceptable hues. Skintones remain natural. Detail battles softer cinematography, but there are textures to be enjoyed, especially with a film that's fond of close-ups, using them to accentuate comedy beats and manic performances. Grain is fine and filmic. Delineation is adequate but never outright challenged, as the effort is brightly lit and outdoorsy. Source is in fine shape, without overt damage.

The End Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix shows surprising life when it comes time to share soundtrack selections, offering crisp instrumentation and responsive bass to the listening experience, and scoring cues are equally secure, managing the mood as intended. Dialogue exchanges are tight, preserving comedic explosions and whispered intimacies, remained balanced. Atmospherics are calm but perceptible, bringing some life to location visits, while hospital interiors explore crowd dynamics.

The End Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:34, HD) is included.

The End Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The idea that "The End" could be entertaining is unthinkable, especially with a plot that plays self-harm for laughs. And yet, in Reynolds's care, it actually works to a degree, remaining bright and approachable without sacrificing some gravitas as Wendell starts to realize what he's potentially leaving behind. There are bellylaughs and knowing chuckles to be had with the feature, while Reynolds is positively alive on screen, making a direct effort to be as present as possible to help lubricate the material through difficult scenes of personal reflection. Perhaps it's not a premiere cinematic achievement, but "The End" manages to keep moving, providing an inspired and impish take on morbid extremity.