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Up front: Do NOT read any answers to this question if you haven't seen the movie, unless you really don't care about spoilers.

At the end of the movie it was not obvious to me what Alex's ultimate fate was. In particular, I wasn't clear whether he lived or died from his injury. It seemed like he might live, as he was still moving a bit, but everyone around him seemed completely unconcerned with getting him medical attention. I even considered the possibility that he was dead at the time of the ending, and we were just seeing him move, but the people in movie were just seeing him as dead.

Is it made clear at some point? Is it purposely ambiguous? Or was I just missing the obvious?

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I've seen lots of movies with ambiguous endings. They do this on purpose as if their funding suddenly runs dry. They also do this to generate discussions and it's like you decide what happens. He is stabbed. Will he make it? What about the money hidden under the floor boards? Will he get to keep it? Will the police arrest him for those bodies which were disposed off earlier? Don't expect answers here coz even the directors and script writers don't know. Also it leaves the possibility to a sequel. Ha ha!!!! – user1686 Jul 15 '12 at 4:34

1 Answer

up vote 5 down vote accepted

It is interesting, as I never assumed that Alex was dead, or even thought that this was ambiguous. Only reading this question made me realize the discussion around this point.

Yes it is surprising that the photographer was taking pictures of him whilst he lies there injured, but (following a quick check on youtube) he is clearly moving his head and facial expressions whilst this is going on - and smiling at the thought of the bag full of fake money that Juliet has taken after hammering the knife into him with her shoe. Yes he has lost a lot of blood, but to my mind it is looking like they are awaiting paramedics to arrive.

I think that the Director is not always authoritative when it comes to interpreting a movie - but certainly the director's opinion about the intention of a scene or shot is important to consider - and Danny Boyle has been clear that he intended Alex to survive the movie (Commentary on Special Edition DVD).

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cha-ching. "Commentary" = "reliable source" = checkmark. – Beska Dec 16 '11 at 13:33
What's wrong with ambiguity? – matt_black Jan 14 '12 at 1:46
@matt_black - nothing at all - I just don't think there is any in this scene at all – iandotkelly♦ Jan 14 '12 at 4:31

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