I've finally figured most of it out by giving up on what the nines and the other numerical values and levels are supposed to mean and take into account "the big picture". I don't want to give it away to anyone else because it feels so good to figure it out on your own. "the nines" are actually misleading but serve their purpose. I've only seen it once and came to a false conclusion believing that the film was great but fell all apart at the end. For a few days I gave up after posting believing the film was somehow compromised. Now I know how wrong I was. I wanted to be able to draw a different conclusion each time I saw the film. since i have been such a David Lynch addict, I keep thinking about Inland Empire as there are numerous ways to interpret things. that movie is great to admire and there are some pretty strong similarities in the background of the two films. I gave into the fact that I'd probably never figure out what the hell was going on long before I saw it and likewise was expecting not to be able to draw a real conclusion form the nines. I was taken aback that the film had a happy ending but now i know that it happened the way it was supposed to and probably how it "actually" happened. the ending to me if anythng felt alittle bit rushed not being able to see how he could make a conclusion in such a short amount of screen time. But we are not privy to the god-like powers and the amount of time he really had. now I realize he must have known that the answer was obvious even though he didn't know how it was going to turn out. He didn't give up too much though to give her the life she deserved. they were both scared and hopeful about how the decision would ultimately affect them.
Everything works, i realize that now. I was just in denial about how I could enjoy a film as much as to not have anything to criticize about it. I want this film to play worldwide to be accessible to everyone. But among the sevens compromises must be made to be a commercial success and if they were we wouldn't have the movie we do now.
Seeing how the characters change into different beings and ultimately ending in a great scene fearful and hopeful of the future at the same time gives me renewed hope I can come to a point of some sorts that Reynolds and meredith did and hopefully have someone to share that with.
People who go see this in the two theaters it is playing at are koalas without the mental telepathic powers. I would gladly be stuck in two hours traffic to see this movie again, anytime, anywhere. the film does end perfectly the cgi although questionable means something and what is the only question still remaining.
I wont reveal what I truly think it all means. Just give up if you don't understand let it seep into your lives and you will have a memorable and personal experience. After two weeks of restless nights I can now sleep knowing for myself at least I have figured it out. Being able to do that is the pint of the movie Its about how people evolve and change and the people who stay with you through it the good and the bad and there are things you just don't understand even though it seems you know whats going on. And the ultimate decision about what to do to become the person you're supposed to be not the one (or ones) you've become accustomed to. who will hopefully carry yourself out of your current life. Not until you do what you are supposed to will you truly be happy and the effects your decisions have on people will hopefully benefit you both.
I dont know if this will happen for me. In the end we didn't get the best case scenario just the outcome of his decision. I believe August made one of these in his own life and that is what he based the last five minutes on.
I hope I wasnt too long. Im just excited that it is the movie I thought it was when I first saw the trailer. I can't say I wasnt expecting something different. But I saw a movie I can come back to again and again hopefully each time I will have changed a little bit between viewing and see it in a different way.
John August, no words can really explain how grateful I am for the film you've made.