A Special Friendship Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for A Special Friendship.
A Special Friendship Ending Explained: During the American Civil War, two women, a wealthy white woman and a freed black slave, join forces to fight for freedom and the abolition of slavery. Directed by Fielder Cook, this 1987 tv movie film stars Tracy Pollan (Elizabeth Van Lew), alongside Akosua Busia as Mary Bowser, Tom Aldredge as Jefferson Davis, Richard Brooks as Matt Bowser. With a 9/10 audience rating, the ending has been widely praised.
What Happens at the End of A Special Friendship?
During the American Civil War, two women, a wealthy white woman and a freed black slave, join forces to fight for freedom and the abolition of slavery.
How Does Tracy Pollan (Elizabeth Van Lew)'s Story End?
- Tracy Pollan: Tracy Pollan's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Fielder Cook delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 35m runtime.
- Akosua Busia (Mary Bowser): Akosua Busia's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Tom Aldredge (Jefferson Davis): Tom Aldredge's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of A Special Friendship Mean?
A Special Friendship concludes with Fielder Cook reinforcing the tv movie themes established throughout the film. The final moments with Tracy Pollan leave a lasting impression — the ending is both a resolution and a statement about the story's central questions.