The Sense of an Ending

The Sense of an Ending

Year: 2017

Runtime: 108 min

Language: English

Director: Ritesh Batra

Drama

A businessman's quiet life is unexpectedly shaken when a letter and a forgotten diary surface, forcing him to confront his past. He reconnects with his first love, triggering a flood of unsettling memories and challenging his perception of events from decades earlier. The revelations force him to question the truth of his recollections and the consequences of his youthful actions, ultimately disrupting his carefully constructed sense of self.

Melancholic
Bittersweet ending
Emotionally heavy
Medium intensity
Slow pacing
Moderate complexity

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Timeline & Setting – The Sense of an Ending (2017)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Sense of an Ending (2017). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The narrative spans multiple decades, exploring the intricacies of memory as Tony reflects on his life from his youth to his present. This exploration inherently comments on the transformative effects of time, showcasing how memories can distort and evolve. The echoes of the past catalyze the central conflict as Tony uncovers buried truths.

Location

London

London serves as the backdrop for Tony Webster's introspective journey. Known for its rich history and cultural diversity, the city also reflects Tony's past and present, underpinning the themes of memory and loss. The camera shop where Tony works symbolizes his detachment from both time and meaningful connections.

🏙️ City 📷 Photography

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

Main Characters – The Sense of an Ending (2017)

Meet the key characters of The Sense of an Ending (2017), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Tony Webster

Tony is a divorced elderly man whose quiet life is disrupted by memories of his past. As he navigates the complexities of relationships and regret, his character embodies the struggle of reconciling with unresolved emotions. His introspective journey through nostalgia and grief ultimately leads to personal growth.

👴 Elderly 📸 Photographer 🕵️‍♂️ Introspective

Veronica

Veronica is a pivotal figure in Tony's past, representing unfulfilled emotional connections. Her actions are driven by the scars of past relationships, and her decision to destroy Adrian's diary speaks to her struggle with trust and pain. She serves as both an anchor and a catalyst for Tony's reflection on their shared history.

💔 Heartbroken 🎨 Artist 🧩 Mysterious

Adrian Finn

Adrian is a friend from Tony's past whose tragic demise casts a long shadow on their lives. His character serves as a reminder of the darker side of their youthful choices, as well as the complexity of relationships that intertwine with love and betrayal. His actions reverberate throughout the film, prompting reflections on accountability and connection.

🌌 Tragic 🎓 Student 🤝 Friend

Margaret

Margaret is Tony's ex-wife, who represents the remnants of his past relationships. Their conversations about the past show the underlying tensions and unresolved feelings that exist even after separation. Through her, the film explores the dynamics of lost love and the necessity of confrontation in seeking closure.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Ex-Spouse 🌧️ Reflective 🔄 Complex

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

Major Themes – The Sense of an Ending (2017)

Explore the central themes of The Sense of an Ending (2017), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕰️ Memory

Memory is a pivotal theme in the film, as it examines the subjectivity of recollections and how they shape personal identity. Through Tony's reflections, the film illustrates the complexity of remembering events, which can vary significantly based on one's emotional state and perspective. Ultimately, it questions the reliability of memory and its implications for reconciliation with the past.

💔 Regret

Regret permeates the narrative as Tony confronts the choices made in his youth that have reverberated throughout his life. His journey toward understanding highlights the weight of unresolved emotions and missed opportunities. Each character serves as a reminder of what could have been, emphasizing the importance of emotional honesty and closure.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:12

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about unreliable memory like The Sense of an Ending

Where nostalgic recollections are challenged by painful, hidden truths.If you liked The Sense of an Ending, explore more movies where characters confront the unreliable nature of their own memories. These similar dramas and psychological stories focus on the unsettling process of revisiting the past, often uncovering painful truths that challenge a carefully constructed sense of self.

unreliable narratorpsychologicalcontemplativeunsettlingnostalgicresignedquietintrospective

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically unfolds through a non-linear structure, blending present-day reflection with flashbacks that are progressively revealed as incomplete or biased. The central conflict is internal, pitting a character's comfortable self-deception against the disruptive force of objective evidence or another perspective, leading to a crisis of identity.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a deep focus on the subjectivity of memory, the pain of regret, and the quiet, psychological tension of uncovering truths that dismantle a lifetime of beliefs. The tone is consistently melancholic and contemplative.

Quiet dramas about aging and regret like The Sense of an Ending

Elderly characters grappling with the heavy weight of past mistakes.Find more movies like The Sense of an Ending that explore themes of aging, reflection, and profound regret. These similar character-driven dramas feature elderly protagonists on a quiet journey to reconcile with their past, often leading to a heavy, bittersweet emotional conclusion.

contemplativesubduedmelancholicnostalgicresignedquietagingregret

Narrative Summary

The plot is often triggered by an external event—a letter, a death, an unexpected encounter—that acts as a catalyst for introspection. The journey is internal and slow-paced, emphasizing character over event, and typically concludes with an acceptance of life's complexities rather than a neat resolution.

Why These Movies?

They share a specific mood: a subdued, melancholic, and quiet atmosphere where the primary action is reflection. The pacing is deliberately slow to match the contemplative nature of the theme, and the emotional weight is consistently heavy, dealing with themes like grief, suicide, and lifelong consequences.

Unlock the Full Story of The Sense of an Ending

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The Sense of an Ending Summary

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The Sense of an Ending Summary

The Sense of an Ending Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Sense of an Ending with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Sense of an Ending Timeline

The Sense of an Ending Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Sense of an Ending Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Sense of an Ending

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