The End (1978)
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75% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(2,145 ratings)
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… More 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, Rovi
- Directed By
- Collectif Abounaddara, Jeremy Thomas
- Written By
- Jeremy Thomas, Jerry Belson
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- May 5, 1978 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Reynolds deconstructs Reynolds thoroughly
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Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
Burt Reynolds directs and stars in this wonderful black comedy about a neurotic dying man. Dom DeLuise provides some hysterically funny moments as a zany mental patient.
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Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
An intermittently successful dark comedy with a few solid gags.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Not nearly as bad as its reputation. It's even pretty interesting.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Burt Reynolds
as Wendell Sonny Lawson
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Dom DeLuise
as Marion Borunki
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Sally Field
as Mary Ellen
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Strother Martin
as Dr. Waldo Ming
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David Steinberg
as Marty Lieberman
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Joanne Woodward
as Jessica
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Norman Fell
as Dr. Samuel Krugman
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Myrna Loy
as Maureen Lawson
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Pat O'Brien
as Ben Lawson
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Robby Benson
as The Priest
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Carl Reiner
as Dr. Maneet
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James Best
as Pacemaker Patient
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Jock Mahoney
as Old Man
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Harry Caesar
as Hospital Orderly
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Janice Carroll
as Ballet Teacher
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Jerry Fujikawa
as Gardner
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Peter Gonzales
as Latin Lover
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Louise Letourneau
as Receptionist
- Walter Matthau
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Kristy McNichol
as Julie Lawson
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Frank McRae
as Tall Male Nurse
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Robert Rothwell
as Limousine Driver
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Queenie Smith
as Old Lady in Car
- David Spielberg
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Alfie Wise
as Short Male Nurse
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Bill Ewing
as Hearse Driver
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Patrick Moody
as Old Man's Son
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Ken Johnson
as Whistling Lunatic
- Jeremy Thomas
- Ella B. May
- Darren McDonald
