Closing Shots: David Fincher

A collection of final shots from the works of David Fincher.

David Liu | 18 December 2011

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Closing Shots: Paul Thomas Anderson

A trio of final shots from the works of P.T. Anderson.

David Liu | 21 March 2011

Boogie Nights (1997)

“I’m a star, I’m a star, I’m a big bright shining star.” Recalling the final scene of Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull, Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) takes one last glance at the mirror, performs a karate kick and departs the dressing room. The opening violins of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Livin’ Thing” accompany the ensuing cut to black.

There Will Be Blood (2007)

In a nod to Stanley Kubrick, Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis)’s final descent into madness clashes with the unnerving symmetry of the visual composition. “I’m finished,” announces Plainview, before yielding to the triumphant strains of Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major, Movement III.

Magnolia (1999)

Two films come to mind during the last moments of Magnolia — Chaplin’s City Lights and Allen’s Manhattan. Anderson matches his predecessors with one simple stroke: as Aimee Mann’s “Save Me” builds into an irresistible crescendo, Claudia (Melora Walters) raises her head, looks into the camera tearfully, and smiles.