The Mist (2007)

[Caustic Coffee]

Originally Posted by Mogwai

Tell me about it dude, the manner in which the camera pans out as he murders his son and the two passengers, then exits the car, only to be confronted with a rescue team is an awful slice of cinema.
In the book they just keep driving deeper and deeper into the mist (perhaps no less dispiriting) but my word, the ending of The Mist was a brave move by the film makers. Rare that a big budget movie would end on such an absolute downer but that finale is legendary. Completely fucking depressing but a rarity in mainstream cinema.

I actually thought the book's ending was kind of weak. As if King had put his characters through enough and wanted to just end the story without dropping the hammer on their fates. Unfortunately, the whole "we'll try to live as long as we can" shtick gave the story a complete lack of resolution one way or the other.

Darabont's ending was sad there's no question, but he took a stance. The characters fate was certain. I admired that ending a great deal more.

[Mogwai]

Originally Posted by Caustic Coffee

I actually thought the book's ending was kind of weak. As if King had put his characters through enough and wanted to just end the story without dropping the hammer on their fates. Unfortunately, the whole "we'll try to live as long as we can" shtick gave the story a complete lack of resolution one way or the other.

Darabont's ending was sad there's no question, but he took a stance. The characters fate was certain. I admired that ending a great deal more.

Yeah, that was my point, I found the films ending far more powerful, if ultimately depressing than the book. King is a master of denying his audience a crowd-pleasing finish but the ending of the film version of The Mist must have had King himself weeping into his Jack Daniels!
Which was why I raised the point what would you rate this film without the morbid ending?
As I've said, had the characters in the car had been rescued I'd have given the film a respectable 7/10 but that ending bumps it up to a solid 9 in my book.
Hats off to a director who doesn't tow the line and isn't afraid to give us a dejecting coup de grace.
It's an bleak and horrible ending that has stuck in my stomach ever since.

[Sea Hag]

Originally Posted by Mogwai

I admire the studio for sanctioning such a downbeat ending.

MGM only did so because Darabont agreed to do it on the cheap. (the budget was 18 mill) He wanted a bigger budget but no studio would give it to him specifically because of the ending which was obviously a sticking point for Darabont.

[Mogwai]

Originally Posted by Sea Hag

MGM only did so because Darabont agreed to do it on the cheap. (the budget was 18 mill) He wanted a bigger budget but no studio would give it to him specifically because of the ending which was obviously a sticking point for Darabont.

I never realised the director (Darabont) held so much sway and had the power to veto those around him. I always assumed a film like The Mist had suits telling the lowly director what he could and couldn't do.
Mad props to the guy for sticking to his guns.
This is what happens when you give a creative mind full control - they make art.

[Rusted]

The ending is a work of genius. Such a brave climax but one that was absolutely needed.

[Caustic Coffee]

Originally Posted by Sea Hag

MGM only did so because Darabont agreed to do it on the cheap. (the budget was 18 mill) He wanted a bigger budget but no studio would give it to him specifically because of the ending which was obviously a sticking point for Darabont.

I guess we'll never know what could have been, but I'm glad he worked with the budget he did. I fear that much more money would have been channeled into CGI and away from the character interactions, although it is still Darabont, so he knows what he's doing. I just can't imagine it coming out any other way.

[Renacimiento]

Originally Posted by Caustic Coffee

I guess we'll never know what could have been, but I'm glad he worked with the budget he did. I fear that much more money would have been channeled into CGI and away from the character interactions, although it is still Darabont, so he knows what he's doing. I just can't imagine it coming out any other way.

The other day I spoke with an acquaintance about this film, and he told me too bad there the special effects were pretty poor, and I told him that for me this was a merit, in this way I would not focused my vision on them, or let me deflect for these, but I focused on the history and the interaction of the characters, which is ultimately most important to me.

[Sea Hag]

Originally Posted by Caustic Coffee

I guess we'll never know what could have been, but I'm glad he worked with the budget he did. I fear that much more money would have been channeled into CGI and away from the character interactions, although it is still Darabont, so he knows what he's doing. I just can't imagine it coming out any other way.

Character development and interaction wouldn't have been sacrificed because like you said, it's Darabont. One thing that probably would be different is the way it was shot. With such a small budget he went almost the guerilla route with using camera guys from "The Shield" whose shooting style is fast and furious. I think with more money it would've had a more classic look and shooting style like "Shawshank" & "The Green Mile".

Originally Posted by Renacimiento

The other day I spoke with an acquaintance about this film, and he told me too bad there the special effects were pretty poor, and I told him that for me this was a merit, in this way I would not focused my vision on them, or let me deflect for these, but I focused on the history and the interaction of the characters, which is ultimately most important to me.

Besides the loading dock scene the effects work is awesome and even said scene is fixed in the black and white version. (which is the only version in my eyes)

[TheHorrorGuru]

Words cannot possibly describe how much I love this movie. Definitely one of my favorites from the last 10 years.

In fact I loved it so much I recently went through the trouble of making a video comparing Stephen King's source material with Darabont's big screen treatment:

Blood Splattered Adaptations: The Mist vs. The Mist (Part I)
&
Blood Splattered Adaptations: The Mist vs. The Mist (Part II)


Now on the subject of the controversial ending...

*SPOILERS FOR THE MOVIE BELOW.*

... I will say that while I understand where those who dislike it are coming from - That they should have been able to hear the military approaching or they should have kept on fighting, or any of the other popular complaints - I have to respectively disagree. I love the ending because of how perfectly it captures that feeling of helplessness in the face of an overpowering world that rejects and casts you out to the wolves at every turn. I related very much to this ending, and wouldn't have changed a single frame.

[Sea Hag]

Originally Posted by TheHorrorGuru

Words cannot possibly describe how much I love this movie. Definitely one of my favorites from the last 10 years.

In fact I loved it so much I recently went through the trouble of making a video comparing Stephen King's source material with Darabont's big screen treatment:

Just finished part one; good stuff & I pretty much agree with your assessment. One thing though; it was the biker, not Norton who was bitten in half. We don't ever get to find out what happens to him. Considering the woman who left her kids home made it Norton could've survived for all we know.