Tweeted this morning by Dave the Tentacle: “I recently heard a playwright say that you always want to end your play (or movie) at a point that leaves the audience saying ‘Is THAT the ending?’ so they’ll have something to think about and discuss afterward, and not immediately forget your work.”
HE response: No — the best endings are those that the entire audience (a) can see coming, (b) are fully understanding and conversing with as they unfold and (c) are fully satisfied by as they’re leaving the theatre and heading for the parking lot. Good endings are never about puzzlement or uncertainty — they’re about resolution and finality and passing along fundamental truths. Any ending that throws an audience for a loop is dogshit.
