The End [Blu-ray]

Director: Burt Reynolds Burt Reynolds

Overview

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).

Product Details

Release Date:	10/27/2015
UPC:	0887090110006
Original Release:	1978
Rating:	R
Source:	Olive
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:41:00
Sales rank:	17,340

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Burt Reynolds	Wendell Sonny Lawson
Sally Field	Mary Ellen
Dom DeLuise	Marlon Borunki
Strother Martin	Dr. Waldo Kling,Old Man's Daughter-In-Law
Joanne Woodward	Jessica Lawson
Kristy McNichol	Julie Lawson
David Steinberg	Marty Lieberman
Norman Fell	Dr. Krugman
Myrna Loy	Maureen Lawson
Robby Benson	The Priest
Carl Reiner	Dr. Maneet
Louise Letourneau	Receptionist
Bill Ewing	Hearse Driver
David Spielberg	Actor
Robert Rothwell	Limousine Driver
Harry Caesar	Hospital Orderly
James Best	Pacemaker Patient
Peter Gonzales	Latin Lover
Connie Fleming	Girl Dancer
Janice Carroll	Ballet Teacher
Ken Johnson	Whistling Lunatic
Frank McRae	Tall Male Nurse
Alfie Wise	Short Male Nurse
Jock Mahoney	Old Man
Edward Albrecht	Insurance Man
Jerry Fujikawa	Gardner
Patrick Moody	Old Man's Son
Walter Matthau	Actor
Queenie Smith	Old Lady In Car
Jean Ann Coulter	Driving Teacher
Pat O'Brien	Ben Lawson

Technical Credits

Burt Reynolds	Director
Lawrence Gordon	Producer
Hank Moonjean	Executive Producer,Producer
Hal Needham	Stunts
Carol Wenger	Special Effects,Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Although it isn't as well remembered as Smokey and the Bandit or The Longest Yard, this is one of Burt Reynolds' finest all-around achievements. Jerry Belson's script is a marvel of black comedy, balancing its distinctly non-PC takes on life, family, and mental health with enough unexpected moments of heart and drama to keep it from devolving into a mean-spirited rant. Reynolds lives up to the daring of this offbeat material by throwing himself into it fearlessly, making the character of Sonny charming without trying to gloss over his self-indulgent nature or quixotic tendencies. Reynolds also turns in some commendable work as a director, pacing the gags well and weaving in the dramatic moments so they add punch without becoming overdone. The End further benefits from a stellar supporting cast: Dom DeLuise is the obvious standout with his screwball turn as the mental patient who befriends Sonny, but Carl Reiner, David Steinberg, and James Best all turn in memorable performances in cameo roles. Also of note is Joanne Woodward, who takes time out from her usual dramatic fare to show a surprising skill for comedy as Sonny's bitter ex-wife. All in all, The End is a fantastic comedy that retains its satirical bite and might even appeal to viewers who don't normally go for Burt Reynolds films.

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