Leaonardo clearly woke up due to the fact that when he got home he finally saw his childrens face... something he couldn't do while he was asleep. also the top he spins in a dream took a different pattern then normal. it spun in a circle unlike its normal path of just spinning in place. The top also was clearly about to fall over when the movie ended it just never finished the scene but the top was clearly slowing down and about to fall over. He woke up.
james - 13 years ago
I know everyone says he's dreaming because of Leo's character in the end scene with his children. It is exactly the same as he remembers early through the movie except he is reunited and he finally sees their faces. I know they are in the same clothes and are the samei age, and the tops spinning. But many writers use similar reference points throughout many movies to show physical, mental, or emotional growth and change. A sort of symbolism. So really we'll never truly know that whether physically he's really home or its a subconscious mental step signaling his mind letting his wife go. But its the only way it could've ended to complement the entire theme and plot. Bravo! It's in the same category with Soprano's, and the unknown briefcase in Pulp Fiction. Make your own decision. Another theory of mine uses the scene in his mental elevator. He's in it with the girl architect. Maybe the floors symbolize his depth within his own mind and by dealing with guilt, or making mental and emotional steps he is digging his way out slowly. Moving floor to floor, his deepest guilt and roadblock is his wifes memory. So I believe maybe there's 12 more to go. He'll grow old with his children till they haunt him. And on and on. The movie opens my mind almost more than any movie i've ever seen. The world is yours. Sorry for what seems like rambling my mind wanders from start till long after the credits. That is this movies magic.
james - 13 years ago
I know everyone says he's dreaming because of Leo's character in the end scene with his children. It is exactly the same as he remembers early through the movie except he is reunited and he finally sees their faces. I know they are in the same clothes and are the samei age, and the tops spinning. But many writers use similar reference points throughout many movies to show physical, mental, or emotional growth and change. A sort of symbolism. So really we'll never truly know that whether physically he's really home or its a subconscious mental step signaling his mind letting his wife go. But its the only way it could've ended to complement the entire theme and plot. Bravo! It's in the same category with Soprano's, and the unknown briefcase in Pulp Fiction. Make your own decision. Another theory of mine uses the scene in his mental elevator. He's in it with the girl architect. Maybe the floors symbolize his depth within his own mind and by dealing with guilt, or making mental and emotional steps he is digging his way out slowly. Moving floor to floor, his deepest guilt and roadblock is his wifes memory. So I believe maybe there's 12 more to go. He'll grow old with his children till they haunt him. And on and on. The movie opens my mind almost more than any movie i've ever seen. The world is yours. Sorry for what seems like rambling my mind wanders from start till long after the credits. That is this movies magic.
Leaonardo clearly woke up due to the fact that when he got home he finally saw his childrens face... something he couldn't do while he was asleep. also the top he spins in a dream took a different pattern then normal. it spun in a circle unlike its normal path of just spinning in place. The top also was clearly about to fall over when the movie ended it just never finished the scene but the top was clearly slowing down and about to fall over. He woke up.
I know everyone says he's dreaming because of Leo's character in the end scene with his children. It is exactly the same as he remembers early through the movie except he is reunited and he finally sees their faces. I know they are in the same clothes and are the samei age, and the tops spinning. But many writers use similar reference points throughout many movies to show physical, mental, or emotional growth and change. A sort of symbolism. So really we'll never truly know that whether physically he's really home or its a subconscious mental step signaling his mind letting his wife go. But its the only way it could've ended to complement the entire theme and plot. Bravo! It's in the same category with Soprano's, and the unknown briefcase in Pulp Fiction. Make your own decision. Another theory of mine uses the scene in his mental elevator. He's in it with the girl architect. Maybe the floors symbolize his depth within his own mind and by dealing with guilt, or making mental and emotional steps he is digging his way out slowly. Moving floor to floor, his deepest guilt and roadblock is his wifes memory. So I believe maybe there's 12 more to go. He'll grow old with his children till they haunt him. And on and on. The movie opens my mind almost more than any movie i've ever seen. The world is yours. Sorry for what seems like rambling my mind wanders from start till long after the credits. That is this movies magic.
I know everyone says he's dreaming because of Leo's character in the end scene with his children. It is exactly the same as he remembers early through the movie except he is reunited and he finally sees their faces. I know they are in the same clothes and are the samei age, and the tops spinning. But many writers use similar reference points throughout many movies to show physical, mental, or emotional growth and change. A sort of symbolism. So really we'll never truly know that whether physically he's really home or its a subconscious mental step signaling his mind letting his wife go. But its the only way it could've ended to complement the entire theme and plot. Bravo! It's in the same category with Soprano's, and the unknown briefcase in Pulp Fiction. Make your own decision. Another theory of mine uses the scene in his mental elevator. He's in it with the girl architect. Maybe the floors symbolize his depth within his own mind and by dealing with guilt, or making mental and emotional steps he is digging his way out slowly. Moving floor to floor, his deepest guilt and roadblock is his wifes memory. So I believe maybe there's 12 more to go. He'll grow old with his children till they haunt him. And on and on. The movie opens my mind almost more than any movie i've ever seen. The world is yours. Sorry for what seems like rambling my mind wanders from start till long after the credits. That is this movies magic.