Keep in mind that this is just my opinion, but here's what I think happened to Sam and Alex at the end of the movie.

Director Lisa Cholodenko chose to conclude Laural Canyon with a rather open ending. Since the viewer needs data to process his/her own conclusion, this type of ending will only work in movies where the characters have been well developed. In the case of Laural Canyon this type of ending works splendidly. We've learned a lot about the characters and we've discovered a lot about their choices, desires, etc. In fact, the entire movie was spent developing these personas.

By simply following the dialogue and getting to know the characters we remember that, upon arriving at Jane's Sam saw that his mother was still living there, Sam said "No, it's fine. It's just that we didn't plan on a change of plans." Jane replies, "Well of course not. I mean, who would do that? Who would plan on a change of plan? That's just paranoid!"

About Sam- As he begins to fall for Sarah, Sam begins to realize that Sarah has become a major change to his plan. Being the control freak that he is, he becomes frustrated because he can't control what happens next. His heart is with Sarah but he continues to try to please Alex.

About Alex- Alex begins to discover a world that she never knew existed. She can never be happy loving Sam despite her love for him. This is her "change".

About Jane- Jane wants to show Sam that after all these years she can indeed change. She abondons the "3-way" sexual encounter because she now wants to change and face emotional responsiblity head on. Something she has never done in her life.

In trying so hard to avoid being like his mother, Sam was trying to map out his and Alex's lives. Cholodenko tells us that no matter what, you can't have that much control over your destiny. So, in a way, by not spelling out the ending for the viewer, Cholodenko stays with the theme of "change". We, the viewer planned on having a nice, neat little closed ending, but we are left with a "change in plans".

So, knowing all of this, Sam and Alex did not make it together.

Very good interpretation.

I watched it this morning, and the ending's been bugging me so much, I turned to the internet.

Now I can let it go.

Thanks,

JuJu

the ending definately bothered me....but your expertise has shed light....thanks

Yeah, I just watched the ending 3 or 4 times (on DVD) because I thought I had blinked and missed something!

Definitely a DIFFERENT ending which made the movie seem more profound....at one point I had myself convinced the british singer had an extra phone line...or that the guy was drowing himself...I do hope he and Alx will move on , they had no passion together, but I dont like that female doctor at all, a real phony.

I agree with what you had to say aboout the ending. But there is one more thing I'd like to add in regard to Sam. It seems, while he sinks to the bottom of the pool, he is letting go...He watches Jane's lover float across the pool, pulled by a toy boat, and in all it's ridiculousness, it's funny. And lauging at it is freeing.

Although I too was shocked and confused at the ending, I am more apt to agree with the last comment than with yours, Frank. I think they will stay together because they both have learned to let go a little.