The ending of Babylon is a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made for fame. Manny watches Singin’ in the Rain, overwhelmed by memories of his friends’ struggles, while the audience around him laughs, unaware of the history he carries.
Plot Summary
Babylon, set in 1920s Hollywood, follows Jack Conrad, a fading silent film star; Nellie LaRoy, an ambitious actress; Manny Torres, a film assistant; and Sidney Palmer, a talented trumpeter. The film captures the chaotic transition from silent films to talkies. Jack’s fame fades, leading to his tragic suicide. Nellie dies after leaving Manny, and Sidney leaves Hollywood, disillusioned by its racism.
Climactic Events
As the film nears its end, the characters’ fates intertwine with Hollywood’s changing landscape. Jack’s decline and suicide highlight the fleeting nature of fame. Nellie’s dark turn ends in her death, and Sidney’s departure underscores the industry’s exploitation. Manny’s return to Los Angeles as a middle-aged man with a family serves as a poignant reflection on the industry’s impact on their lives.
Controversial Ending
The ending of Babylon is audacious and controversial. Manny watches Singin’ in the Rain, reflecting on the sacrifices he and his friends made. The joyous audience contrasts with Manny’s burdened memories. The film then transitions to a montage of iconic cinema moments, celebrating film’s evolution but questioning its cost. Critics have noted this sequence as a “nauseatingly saccharine” celebration of film, juxtaposed against Babylon’s darker themes (Independent).
Thematic Exploration
The ending encapsulates key themes: the fleeting nature of fame and the personal sacrifices for artistic immortality. Manny’s tears during Singin’ in the Rain symbolize Hollywood’s bittersweet reality. The montage of films from various eras highlights cinema’s enduring legacy while critiquing its darker aspects. This sequence suggests that Hollywood, despite its flaws, has the power to build dreams and entertain generations (Screen Rant).
Audience Reception
Babylon’s reception is polarized. Some praise its ambitious scope, while others criticize its chaotic narrative and controversial ending. Critics argue that Chazelle’s experimental ending detracts from the film’s impact (High on Films). Others contend that the ending bridges Hollywood’s past and present, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the film industry. By juxtaposing the characters’ struggles with Singin’ in the Rain’s celebratory nature, Chazelle invites viewers to reflect on fame’s complicatedities and the sacrifices made for art (Cinema Blend).
Conclusion
The ending of Babylon encapsulates the film’s broader themes, celebrating cinema while highlighting Hollywood’s highs and lows. Through Manny’s emotional journey and the subsequent montage, Chazelle invites audiences to grapple with fame, legacy, and the sacrifices for artistic immortality. Despite divided reception, Babylon’s audacious ending ensures it will remain a topic of discussion for years to come.
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