I suppose a pretty obvious choice is The Usual Suspects.
I also love Emma Thompson’s reaction in Sense and Sensibility. It’s a great last scene.
There’s always,
and
Although, the ending the precedes this is pretty spectacular as well.
Oh God, yes, when the guy sneezes and Walter Matthau leans back into the room, with that hounddog look on his face!
Empire of the Sun
Dancer In The Dark made me sob like a little girl the first time I saw it and it still takes my breath away the few times I’ve rewatched the film.
Breaker Morant, with the understated detail that the coffin is juuuuust a little too small.
Dark City, with the brilliant sunshine washing over them both.
The Incredibles, with the family grinning at the thought of another bad guy to fight.
Raiders of the Lost Ark, as the crate disappears into the warehouse.
Excellent choice. Love that movie. Both on a superficial level and as metaphor.
For my pick, I nominate the movie I seem to always come back to in movie threads (because it is great in so many ways): Last of the Mohicans (end sequence).
Ooops. I see PeskiPiski already mentioned LOTM. Good choice PP.
I love that movie on many levels, but first and foremost because I cannot imagine two more beautiful human beings in one place than Day & Stowe as they look in that film. They are both just impossibly gorgeous.
The Third Man. 'Nuff said.
I like the ending for Notorious, when Claude Rains’ luck finally runs out and he gets called inside to face the music.
Also the last line of Shutter Island, and the ending of Grand Hotel. “The Grand Hotel. Always the same. People come, people go, nothing ever happens.”
Inglorious Basterds:
[spoiler]LT.ALDO: I do have one question? When you go to your little place on Nantuckett Island, I image you gonna take off that handsome looking SS uniform of yours, ain’t ya?
LT.ALDO: That’s what I thought. Now that… I can’t abide. How bout you Uitivich, can you abide it?
UITIVICH: Not one damn bit, sir.[/spoiler]
Well, we can’t have a “great movie _____” thread without mentioning Casablanca…
“Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Good gravy, yes.
High Noon has a terrific ending.
Rear Window has a great wrap up.
Of course the best ending is Citizen Kane.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - Spock’s sacrifice and parting words.
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) - the decoys in bowler hats at the museum, the reveal of the returned painting (and another one missing), and the final scene on the plane.
Fight Club, particularly the song on the soundtrack as the charges blow.
Se7en
Star Wars, with its triumphal medal ceremony (but Chewie deserved one too, dammit!).
Trading Places, as the characters enjoy drinks on the beach.
True Lies, with one last tango as Tom Arnold gripes over the radio.
Dave, as the door closes behind the candidate and his new girlfriend.
Paper Moon, as the car disappears into the dusty distance of the Plains.
Gladiator, as Juba buries the household idols and quietly says, “Now we are free.”
Groundhog Day, with Phil saying offhandedly, “We’ll rent to start.”
“Where Is My Mind?” by The Pixies, in case you were wondering.
A cover of the same song is featured on the excellend ending of Observe and Report.
Shane