With “Twisters” the talk of the town this weekend, there’s been discussion about not just the film’s success but some of the creative choices.
Glen Powell’s wet t-shirt scene caused a stir at the end of the week, but on the weekend came an even bigger point of discussion and even controversy – all to do with the film’s end.
SPOILER AHEAD FOR THE END OF “TWISTERS”
The film closes out with a scene at the airport as Glen Powell’s Tyler Owens races to stop Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Kate Cooper from boarding a flight back home. He does, and the pair end up running off to chase another storm together.
Whilst the overall film is a throwback to 1990s blockbusters, one element of those films notably absent is the lack of a kiss between the pair at the end.
That has gotten some audiences riled up, especially as video from the day of filming of that scene has gone online and confirmed a kiss between the pair was shot.
Speaking with EW, director Lee Isaac Chung says the scene was tested and ended up drawing a polarizing reaction whereas the actual ending used gives the Kate character more purpose:
“I feel like audiences are in a different place now in terms of wanting a kiss or not wanting a kiss. I actually tried the kiss, and it was very polarizing – and it’s not because of their performance of the kiss. This [no-kiss shot] was the other option that I had filmed on the day, and I got to say, ‘I like it better. I think it’s a better ending.’
If it ends on the kiss, then it makes it seem as though that’s what Kate’s journey was all about – to end up with a kiss. But instead, it’s better that it ends with her being able to continue doing what she’s doing with a smile on her face.”
Chung also had the backing of one of the film’s producers in his corner, none other than Steven Spielberg who gave a note suggesting they cut the kiss. The two leads tell Collider:
Edgar-Jones: “I think it’s a Spielberg note, wasn’t it? I think it stops the film feeling too clichéd, actually. I think there’s something really wonderful about it feeling like there’s a continuation. This isn’t the end of their story. They’re united by their shared passion for something.”
Powell: “I feel like a kiss would be sort of unrepresentative of the right goal at the end of the movie. And it is a good Spielberg note. It’s why that kid is still in this game. It’s amazing.”
The film, sans kiss, is now out in cinemas everywhere.
