The Pelican Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for The Pelican.
The Pelican Ending Explained: Paul has been imprisoned for ten years for passing counterfeit money. Directed by Gérard Blain, this 1974 drama film stars Gérard Blain (Paul Boyer), alongside César Chauveau as Marc at 10 years old, Daniel Sarky as Cazenave, Francia Seguy as Madeleine, Paul's mother. Rated 7.3/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of The Pelican?
Paul has been imprisoned for ten years for passing counterfeit money. He feels victimized enough, both for the prison time and for the crime which led to it; he committed the crime to give his wife the nice things she asked him for. When he discovers that she has remarried a quite wealthy man, he is outraged. However, his ire is not due to her disloyalty to him; he loved their only son to distraction, and now the boy has no knowledge or memory of him.
Gérard Blain's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Gérard Blain (Paul Boyer)'s journey. He feels victimized enough, both for the prison time and for the crime which led to it; he committed the crime to give his wife the nice things she asked him for.
How Does Gérard Blain (Paul Boyer)'s Story End?
- Gérard Blain: Gérard Blain's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Gérard Blain delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 23m runtime.
- César Chauveau (Marc at 10 years old): César Chauveau's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Daniel Sarky (Cazenave): Daniel Sarky's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of The Pelican Mean?
The ending of The Pelican ties together the narrative threads involving Gérard Blain. Gérard Blain chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.