EXACTLY !! People seem to miss that. He didn't live in San Francisco ,he was just passing through for the night then leaving the next morning to go fight in Vietnam. He was a cocky wise ass kid when he left, now he is broken and he is returning to her. Its a beautiful ending.
@@sakhu8945 I knew more than a few vets. Many didn't "go to" anyone, even when they did have people to return to. He didn't go to her by default. You don't hold someone like that by default.
As a Marine veteran from that era I felt his depiction of what young Marines act like for most of the movie was spot on, and by this ending scene he reflected beautifully how he was altered and ultimately matured by his experience in Vietnam, making him realize what's truly important. She knew, and he understood that she was his anchor to reality. No words were necessary - absolutely beautiful.
When he experienced the true ugliness of the world and realized his own insignificance, he matured enough to her level and was unable to forget her, despite thinking he would. She knew all along. This is one of the most beautiful love stories. RIP River Phoenix.
She must have spent three years wondering if he was alive. Relief, forgiveness, and empathy of what he probably went through…. Well acted and most romantic scene ever!
He didn't write the letter because he could die at any moment. It's caring. This last is amazing with no communication for 3 years. His never forgetting her and the depth of his emotional scars from the war are reflected in River's facial expressions and silent music. It's a very deep movie. Lili Taylor is the best female co-star of the great actor River Phoenix, yet the film is globally underrated.
@@angelaholmes8888 Completely. It's a shame it wasn't more heavily promoted like the garbage we see pumped out weekly today into the big budget theaters.
@@angelaholmes8888 Since you enjoyed "Dogfight" you might want to try and see two other superb films of a similar bent if you get the chance: "Baby It's You" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bdyS-cFTTi8.html "Splendor in the Grass" ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vntQKtt_oRQ.html
The ending to this film is symbolic for many reasons: River’s character returning to a world he once knew but now is out of touch with, Lili’s character experiencing the tumultuous changes of the sixties. River’s character was once with the in crowd and Lili was an outsider. But now his in crowd has dissipated and going off to fight a vicious war has made him an outsider. While Lili’s character has experienced the world through a wider lens she is certainly more confident but remains an outsider in many regards because of her appearance. Now existing in the same realm, both Eddie and Rose help each other assimilate into society. Magnificently made and well-told film I recommended to everyone.
Nonsense. Eddie was grief-stricken by the loss of his friends. The story and the screenplay for this film were written by Bob Comfort, a former U.S. Marine.
Their past has been bittersweet and their future is unknown, but I love that they're embracing their affections for one another unencumbered by a looming war or insecurities. This ending is perfect 🥰
One of my favorite movies. My favorite romance by far. It's such a good story, and acting was great. I like how the ending is so real and not "Hollywoodish". It's almost too real. It feel more like you have traveled back and time and watching a real scene play out.
River's character was an ass for much of the movie, particularly at the beginning. It's as if he had no feelings for others. However, during the evening spent with Rose, he shows glimpses of emotion, especially during the scene when she is playing the piano and singing "What have they done to the Rain". Just when I think maybe he is a little more human, he tears up the address after having sex with her, as if she were just another conquest. When he returns four years later, he is a different man, coming home to a different environment. The city has changed the as well. He seeks the woman who helped him find those human feelings. Such a touching scene at the end. Words were not needed.
well said! he has changed and so has she... her experience with him made her change and grow as a person. his experiences with war and with their relationship both changed him and finally it all culminates with him coming back to a world that he doesnt recognize anymore. very deep ending and wouldnt want it any other way.
The crazy part was, they filmed this scene first before the rest of the movie. That's testament to River's acting to be able to portray the pain and the brokenness of his character returning home from war before even filming everything else and getting the chance to connect with Lili Taylor.
Great interpretation of River! This movie didn't have the success it deserves! DOGFIGHT is delicate and ironic, cruelly and romantic meaningful message.
I came across this film years ago. I think it's one of the finest movies I've ever seen. I always remember this scene and how much emotion it evokes in me. I genuinely feel River's character is completely lost in his life back home after experiencing the horrors of war. Rose was his beacon and she knew exactly what to do. Not a word was said between them but they both knew they belonged to each other. That embrace said it all. As a side note, when the scene ends and fades out to the credits, the song that comes on is by John Fayhe titled Sunflower River Blues.
This is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen, I love this ending. This hug says everything that was left behind was left behind. In Brazil the title of this film is "Apostando no Amor" = betting on love.
I love the fact that River called Lili his best female co-star by far. She's a supreme actor and easily matched him in this. When I first saw the ending, I wasn't satisfied but now, it's just lovely. Makes me sad because after this he started Idaho and got into drugs.
he wasn't even on drugs. what happened was the bartender person at the viper room offered him a drink with a drug in it telling him it would make him feel "fabulous" so he took it and tragically overdosed.
so people keep saying that River said this but no one can cite source so I am calling bullshit. i find it very difficult to believe River would announce who his favorite was anywhere
I really believe this is the first time Eddie’s night with Rose finally hit him. It took a war and losing his friends for him to finally allow himself to be vulnerable with her but the seed was planted that night. I know many people say Rose looks sad/hurt that Eddie never wrote her back but I see a look of forgiveness. I’m not saying she isn’t hurt but Eddie did come back for her and I think she’s grateful to gain closure on “what could have been” with Eddie. I do think they end up together but that’s not what the ending is about. They found peace.
I see this film included in Hidden Gems list of great movies. So true. I love this film, the ending reminds me of the ending of Peter Weir's film Greencard only sadder and more heart felt. I like to think his memory of Rose got him through his ordeal in Vietnam and she was in turn, waiting for him to return. Like all true love, miles and years cannot diminish the connection between them. None of us knows when, where or with whom we will find true love. It is a gift.
I read that the supposed last scene of this movie was actually the first to be filmed, but then they were also referring to the bus scene when Birdlace was talking to his friend while everyone else was sleeping. Whatever scene they were talking about, River had a problem with having to act with the weight of the whole storyline on the first day. You can't even tell, he's that natural.
when ever a relationship with any girl i liked fail apart in the past 3 years i allways come too this too dogfight this scene has got too be included at rhe very top of any best romantic movies in the past 20 years bird-lice could have forgotten rose after he threw away the note with her number but he remembered her and came back the shock her amazement and the hug all makes this so sweet and full of hope two complete opposites who wouldn't have had any chance of getting together in the real world reunite because bird-lice could not let go of the only thing that kept him sane in the horror of war god i so love this movie and i hope i will never forget it or its power heart and strength. if u wish and wit hard enough you will find that amazing some one and when u do never let him or her go because who knows if youl ever get the chance as those two love birds pardon teh inside joke lol two reunite all those years later. god i love river lily and this movie.
So much of this movie hit home. The moment he took his hat off I know exactly what he felt. I've seen that confused tilt of her head before, and I know what they know. I know precisely what a hundred emotions at once feels like.
I usually hate open endings like this. But there’s actually something really beautiful about this one. Also the acting of River and Lily... so good. So little said but how they both felt was loud and clear.
I'm deeply in love with that movie...i always wanted to see it again, again... People trying to show off what they are not... They felt real love ,just one night was enough... thanks 🙏 he came back and she was specting him! Love 💓💓
I'm not a romantic.. what I loved about this scene though was the fact that people can connect on levels that don't always seem to make sense to the outer world. Yet they shared moments of life that helped them both to grow.. to see a man share his emotions or enjoy the comfort of a hug from someone who matters .. is important and not usually given to just anyone lightly. I know even when having a one night stand I often said before anything happens can I just have a hug. If they couldn't at least show that respect then I didn't want to be with them. It might sound stupid to some but I was not held by father growing up much.. so it was in a way looking for that acceptance. This is why I do understand the men who say they are looking for a motherly love even within a sexual relationship.. because it's not about taboo.. as much as it is needing some inner need met. Just as I could say I was looking for a fatherly love, a brotherly wisdom and yet a lover. Yet people very quickly pervert what they don't understand. The honest are often punished and labelled untruths while the truly perverted seem to be positioned in places of authority over others lives they really shouldn't have because their lack of understanding is very dangerous. A piece of paper doesn't prove shit to me.. I don't give a fuck how many titles you have in front of your name.. if your so immature and unwilling to understand another person then maybe a factory job working with robots and machines is more suited to you.
I've always loved Dogfight. Check out Lawn Dogs and Moon with Sam Rockwell if you haven't seen them. Also: Strictly Ballroom, Cosi and Muriel's Wedding. My Own Private Idaho with River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.
The time gap always bothered me in an otherwise almost perfect movie. Vietnam tours were 1 year. Did he stay for repeated tours after losing his friends? And 4 years is an eternity in a young persons life. So unlikely she would just still be there, waiting.
+Tobey Starburst TS -- you are bigger than this troll bait, man. I am surprised he found his way to this brilliant, touching, and intelligent film. I'm sure he was looking for Michael Bay's next epic turd....
He rips upmthe address because he's going to fight in a war he can't dwell over her the whole time he has to get his head in that boys headset he had at the start he loves were does he go as some as he's home to see merits about love being more than how people perceive each other it a very subtle love story a lot of this is being said without actually saying it like when he rubs the lipstick on her face you can see he regrets it instantly and he nows its a wrong thing to do..... They need each other in the end if they hadn't known eacother before he left rose probably would have been like that hippie who asked how many babies he killed and Eddie would have been lost completely because he met rose he became a better person and vise versa its a beautiful story
Also the whole story is told by birdlace on the bus and the story's mostly about him and rose so people who didn't get the movie should watch again ..... Like when his friend sees them he doesn't say anything why because he k owe something important is happening even if he doesn't know what it is its what's not said that makes the movie so great
+holly jennings Beautifully put into words, I love this movie and i love River Phoenix XD Another great River movie is "Running On Empty", i love that one too XD
Sometimes what need in a partner is not a sexual desire or even a physical one in some ways. What a parson need more then anything sometimes is just to be held and reminded they are cherished.
Joaquin paid tribute to his brother in a film called "two lovers." I won't spoil it for anyone but, look up the last scene, it was more than a tribute, it was a conversation. And it's so beautiful it makes me cry. Just as hard as I'm crying every time I watch this scene. It's so powerful, and so intimate, and there's so much undercurrent her it's just fascinating to witness. What a deep, deep moment between two people. Just watch and learn.
You so perfectly put into words exactly how I felt the first time I watched this scene. It was like no other interaction I’d ever seen captured on film before. And I love that they chose to keep it unsentimental without any music score during this moment-just silence and peace. So powerful, like you said!
Recently, I learned that River Phoenix fought with Warner, the movie company that dropped director Nancy Savoca, to complete production on this film. He boycotted filming the director, whom Warner replaced, and Warner reappointed director Nancy Savoca again. He also refused to respond to Warner's request to change the final scene, saying it was "too plain." There was a strong bond between River Phoenix and director Nancy Savoca on this production.
When I saw this movie I was so excited because River Phoenix is obviously headed for Brando level stardom and then look what happened. He couldn't fix up a speedball and see ya River. What a tragedy.
Despite his short body of work, I always thought River was a better actor than Joaquin. Joaquin has the benefit of a longer career but River was so natural and charismatic while Joaquin is too over the top for my liking. River just had IT.
the main character is an ass it is the director and writers job to make the audience forgive him at the end and they succeed through the character Rose who is just an angel .... from the first moment on screen ....beautiful character arch ...
