What is the purpose of the last scene?

Question

At the end of War Dogs (2016):

David meets with Henry, who apologizes for the kidnapping and assault in Albania, claiming he had bad information. He also thanks David for not mentioning his name in his confession to the FBI. David begins to ask questions about the events of the deal, including about the fate of his Albanian driver. Henry pulls out a suitcase full of money, a part of his cut from The Afghan Deal, and offers it to David in exchange for dropping the subject. The movie ends, David's choice of taking the money or not left ambiguous.

What is the purpose of this last scene?

Answer 1

Dramatic Effect and to ensure that David Packouz is the main protagonist in the film

The purpose of the last scene was for dramatic effect and to ensure that David Packouz is the main protagonist in the film.

The film was based on a 2011 article from Rolling Stone Magazine. David Packouz (one of the real life arms dealers) was interviewed several times for this article. The article then got the attention of Todd Phillips, who directed War Dogs.

David Packouz was involved in the making of the film as well as having a small cameo in the film. So, it is only fitting that Packouz is shown as having a "moral" character in the final scene of the film by not implicating Henri in anything and questioning the death of his driver in Libya.

This never happened in real life according to History vs. Hollywood:

The briefcase of hush money that Bradley Cooper's character gives to David Packouz (Miles Teller) might give the movie a nice note to end on, especially for Miles Teller's character, but it's completely fictional.

David Packouz himself even states that there were certain scenes added for dramatic effect in an interview with Adam Carolla

Some things were added to spice things up, like that whole desert scene.

I never really made that much money in the arms business, despite what they show you in the movie. I made some money, I was able to get by. But, most of the money I was going to make was gonna be from the Afghan contract that is the high point of the movie and as you saw in the movie, that's all true. I never ended up making any money from it.

Due to the fact that the real David Packouz was very involved in the making of the film, it makes sense why filmmakers would add this scene to give somewhat of a closure as to what happened to the driver in Libya as well as ensuring that audiences would be left thinking that David Packouz has a strong moral character.

Answer 2

In my suggestion, it could be that the driver was suspected of leaking the information that Henry was making a huge profit in the Afghan deal. This is the reason why Efraim wants to cut him off the transaction.

Hence, Henry was angry, and he killed the driver then kidnapped and assaulted David. Henry was happy that David did not mention him in the case. And I think it was for the benefit of Henry, since as already admitted, he is on the watchlist already. This goes to show why Henry told David about the "bad information", what would a "bad man do", and lastly, as gratitude to David's silence for the payment of money.

Answer 3

The government sent Henry or it's a deal between Henry and the goverment. So the governent gets the ammo, Henry gets extra paid from the government. If not, how can the bid of the government be so specific?

The driver is US army. Just look at him twice.

Answer 4

Henry is still not able to sell to the US Government. Henry needs and trusts David to set up a new company selling arms. It's a great setup for War Dogs 2.