"The End" is a comedy drama about a middle-aged guy who learns that he has toxic blood poisoning and will probably die within a year. Most of the film is spent in his ways to try to commit suicide - all of which fail. Obviously, this isn't a film for some who wouldn't find humor in it - especially anyone who has a family member, friend or other acquaintance with a terminal illness. Or, for those who lost someone under such circumstances in recent years. And some people may find parts of the film quite negative or distasteful.
There is a considerable cast with some prominent actors, even if most are cameo or short appearances. Burt Reynolds, in the lead as Sonny Lawson, makes it clear at the start that it's a comedy, so it never develops a dark edge. But the best he can do for humor is in his facial expressions, and his reducing the time he has to live to three months, then weeks and finally to three days, in succeeding scenes. Joanne Woodward, Sally Field, and Carl Reiner do well in their roles. Myrna Loy and Pat O'Brien have a short scene with Sonny's visit to his parents.
But the best part of this film, and what earns it six stars, is the role of Marlon Borunki, played by Dom DeLuise. This may be the best comedy performance in a film by DeLuise. It surely is of his films that I have seen so far. His scenes with Sonny bring life into a film that could otherwise be dark and dreary and drag on much of the time. Reiner's scene is also very good but short. Here are my favorite lines from this film.
Marlon Borunki, "You're in La Playa." Sonny Lawson, "The nut house?" Marlon, "That's a cruel label. We prefer, 'booby hatch.'"
Marlon, "I don't buy lands from television. I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy."
Marlon, "You tried to kill yourself. Unsuccessfully, needless to add."
Marlon, "I'm writing a book on insanity. You should always write about something you know. You know? I'm calling it, 'Fruitcakes I have known.'"
There is a considerable cast with some prominent actors, even if most are cameo or short appearances. Burt Reynolds, in the lead as Sonny Lawson, makes it clear at the start that it's a comedy, so it never develops a dark edge. But the best he can do for humor is in his facial expressions, and his reducing the time he has to live to three months, then weeks and finally to three days, in succeeding scenes. Joanne Woodward, Sally Field, and Carl Reiner do well in their roles. Myrna Loy and Pat O'Brien have a short scene with Sonny's visit to his parents.
But the best part of this film, and what earns it six stars, is the role of Marlon Borunki, played by Dom DeLuise. This may be the best comedy performance in a film by DeLuise. It surely is of his films that I have seen so far. His scenes with Sonny bring life into a film that could otherwise be dark and dreary and drag on much of the time. Reiner's scene is also very good but short. Here are my favorite lines from this film.
Marlon Borunki, "You're in La Playa." Sonny Lawson, "The nut house?" Marlon, "That's a cruel label. We prefer, 'booby hatch.'"
Marlon, "I don't buy lands from television. I'm crazy, but I'm not that crazy."
Marlon, "You tried to kill yourself. Unsuccessfully, needless to add."
Marlon, "I'm writing a book on insanity. You should always write about something you know. You know? I'm calling it, 'Fruitcakes I have known.'"