Main Cast: Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Sally Field, Strother Martin, David Steinberg
Release Year: 1978
Country: US
Run Time: 100 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
At the beginning of The End, Wendell Sonny Lawson (Burt Reynolds) is informed by his doctor that he's dying from "the same thing Ali MacGraw had in Love Story." Lawson's first reaction is to cry uncontrollably, much to the discomfort of his fellow elevator passengers. He heads to a nearby church to confess all his sins, only to be distracted by the wide-eyed fecklessness of the novice priest (Robby Benson). Attempting to resolve a few issues with ex-wife Mary Ellen (Sally Field), daughter Julie (Kristy McNichol), and his parents (Myrna Loy and Pat O'Brien), Lawson finds that they're all too absorbed in their own problems to pay him any attention. At the end of his rope, Lawson decides to kill himself -- with the help of a nutty mental patient (Dom DeLuise). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
Although it isn't as well remembered as Smokey and the Bandit or The Longest Yard, this is one of Burt Reynolds' finest all-around achievements. Jerry Belson's script is a marvel of black comedy, balancing its distinctly non-PC takes on life, family, and mental health with enough unexpected moments of heart and drama to keep it from devolving into a mean-spirited rant. Reynolds lives up to the daring of this offbeat material by throwing himself into it fearlessly, making the character of Sonny charming without trying to gloss over his self-indulgent nature or quixotic tendencies. Reynolds also turns in some commendable work as a director, pacing the gags well and weaving in the dramatic moments so they add punch without becoming overdone. The End further benefits from a stellar supporting cast: Dom DeLuise is the obvious standout with his screwball turn as the mental patient who befriends Sonny, but Carl Reiner, David Steinberg, and James Best all turn in memorable performances in cameo roles. Also of note is Joanne Woodward, who takes time out from her usual dramatic fare to show a surprising skill for comedy as Sonny's bitter ex-wife. All in all, The End is a fantastic comedy that retains its satirical bite and might even appeal to viewers who don't normally go for Burt Reynolds films. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
Violet Cane - Costume Designer, Norman Salling - Costume Designer, Kurt Baker - First Assistant Director, Burt Reynolds - Director, Donn Cambern - Editor, Hank Moonjean - Executive Producer, Paul Williams - Composer (Music Score), Bobby Byrne - Cinematographer, Lawrence Gordon - Producer, Hank Moonjean - Producer, John Franco, Jr. - Set Designer, Carol Wenger - Special Effects, Cliff Wenger - Special Effects, Jack Solomon - Sound/Sound Designer, Richard Portman - Sound/Sound Designer, Hal Needham - Stunts, Hal Needham - Stunts Coordinator, Jerry Belson - Screenwriter
The End is a black comedy about a man, Wendell Sonny Lawson (Burt Reynolds), who is informed by his doctor that he's dying from a rare blood disease and has six months to live. Not wanting to live his last few months of life waiting for the end, he decides to take his own life.
Attempting to resolve a few issues with his girlfriend Mary Ellen (Sally Field), ex-wife Jessica Lawson (Joanne Woodward), daughter Julie (Kristy McNichol), and his parents (Myrna Loy and Pat O'Brien), Lawson finds that they're all too absorbed in their own problems to pay him any attention. After trying suicide several times by himself and failing, he ends up at a psychiatric hospital where he meets a very disturbed fellow patient Marlon Borunki (Dom DeLuise) who agrees to help him in his quest for suicide. This "help" however, winds up almost killing Sonny...and not in a good way.[1]
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