The End (1978)

75% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
46% of users liked it
(2,086 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 nearby church to… 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

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 40 min.
Directed By: Jeremy Thomas, Burt Reynolds
Written By: Jeremy Thomas, Jerry Belson
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: May 5, 1978 Wide
On DVD: Feb 6, 2001

Critic Reviews

Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
Reynolds deconstructs Reynolds thoroughly
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.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
An intermittently successful dark comedy with a few solid gags.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Not nearly as bad as its reputation. It's even pretty interesting.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

A hilarious dark comedy with an all star cast, and directed by Reynolds. I love it, and I highly recommend it.
Tim S

This movie is terrible. It also shows that Burt Reynolds is an egotistical maniac. Bar none, it has the most unfunny racial humor I have ever heard. (Imagine Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino, but not funny and every "joke" making you feel sleazy for being a white person). Then… More
This movie is terrible. It also shows that Burt Reynolds is an egotistical maniac. Bar none, it has the most unfunny racial humor I have ever heard. (Imagine Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino, but not funny and every "joke" making you feel sleazy for being a white person). Then Dom DeLuise (did he have something going on the side with Burt?) kept saying these retarded Polish jokes that I heard when I was a kid and they weren't funny then. Everyone in this movie is terrible (Sally Field LOOKS amazing in this film). I imagine Burt sitting back and watching the dailies and thinking what a funny guy he was while everyone of his ass-kissing crew sat around and chuckled along with him. It is rare when you can find a movie that shows the true soul of a filmmaker, and in the case of Burt Reynolds, he's a douschebag.
Cindy I

Rating this from memories of long ago. Need to see it again. Rating may or may not change.
Lafe F

Not very funny. Burt Reynolds is a bit annoying and unsympathetic. Dom DeLuise is annoying as well. I wasn't too thrilled with this film.

Cast

            Burt Reynolds as Wendell Sonny Lawson

            Dom DeLuise as Marion Borunki

            Sally Field as Mary Ellen

            Strother Martin as Dr. Waldo Ming

            David Steinberg as Marty Lieberman

            Joanne Woodward as Jessica

            Norman Fell as Dr. Samuel Krugman

            Myrna Loy as Maureen Lawson

            Pat O'Brien as Ben Lawson

            Robby Benson as The Priest

            Carl Reiner as Dr. Maneet

            James Best as Pacemaker Patient

            Jock Mahoney as Old Man

            Harry Caesar as Hospital Orderly

            Janice Carroll as Ballet Teacher

            Jerry Fujikawa as Gardner

            Peter Gonzales as Latin Lover

            Louise Letourneau as Receptionist

            Walter Matthau
            
            Kristy McNichol as Julie Lawson

            Frank McRae as Tall Male Nurse

            Robert Rothwell as Limousine Driver

            Queenie Smith as Old Lady in Car

            David Spielberg
            
            Alfie Wise as Short Male Nurse

            Bill Ewing as Hearse Driver

            Patrick Moody as Old Man's Son

            Ken Johnson as Whistling Lunatic

            Jeremy Thomas
            
            Ella B. May
            
            Darren McDonald
            
See full cast