You Hurt My Feelings

*The ending of “You Hurt My Feelings” leaves us with an ambiguous but thought-provoking moment. Throughout the film, characters grapple with the complex nature of honesty and the white lies they tell each other to avoid hurting feelings. Beth and Don, like many adults, frequently choose between truthful expression and kindness. When Beth discovers Don’s honest opinion about her novel, she feels betrayed, thinking he has been lying to her all along. This revelation causes her to question their entire relationship and the sincerity of his feelings. However, as they confront their feelings and admit their own lies — Beth about Eliot’s potential talent and Don about his opinions — they begin to understand that some level of dishonesty might be a way of protecting loved ones, even if it can also hinder genuine growth and communication.

By the time they reach the end, they decide to share Eliot’s play with honesty, but the way they approach this is left unresolved. The scene suggests they have two choices: either they tell Eliot the truth about their honest opinions, risking disappointment and loss of confidence, or they withhold their true reactions to protect his feelings. This choice reflects the central theme of the film — that honesty isn’t always straightforward and that sometimes, kindness involves withholding the truth. Ultimately, the ending prompts viewers to reflect on how honesty, kindness, and protecting loved ones are interconnected, and whether a little white lie might sometimes be necessary to preserve relationships or foster honest growth.*

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:57