The Eyes Closed Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Eyes Closed.
The Eyes Closed Ending Explained: Protagonist is the young actor Yvan. Directed by Joël Santoni, this 1974 drama film stars Gérard Desarthe (Yvan), alongside Lorraine Rainer as Xénie, Marcel Dalio as Le vieux monsieur, Jean Carmet as Raoul. With a 6.5/10 rating, the ending has divided audiences.
What Happens at the End of The Eyes Closed?
Protagonist is the young actor Yvan. During a tour, he witnesses the inexplicable suicide of one of his fellow actors. Back in Paris he tells Xénie, the ex-lover of the dead actor. Xénie is in love with Yvan, but the latter sinks deeper and deeper into a personal crisis. At a certain point he acts being blind and buys a pair of glasses with black lenses. He is fascinated by his new, more restricted manner of seeing and refuses to open his eyes. Reality makes way for his more and more obsessive imagination. The mixture of fantasy and reality meant that Santoni's approach was compared with that of Buñuel.
Joël Santoni's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Gérard Desarthe (Yvan)'s journey. During a tour, he witnesses the inexplicable suicide of one of his fellow actors.
How Does Gérard Desarthe (Yvan)'s Story End?
- Gérard Desarthe: Gérard Desarthe's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
- Lorraine Rainer (Xénie): Lorraine Rainer's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Marcel Dalio (Le vieux monsieur): Marcel Dalio's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Eyes Closed Mean?
The Eyes Closed's ending attempts to resolve the major plot threads, though some narrative elements involving Gérard Desarthe may feel rushed. Joël Santoni's final act has been both praised for its ambition and criticized for its execution.