Detachment Movie Explained: Exploring Ending and Themes

The ending of Detachment is ambiguous but optimistic. We are not quite sure if Henry breaks down his walls and accepts people or goes back to being very defensive. However, we are left with an optimistic feeling as he meets Erica at the foster center. The film also explores various themes related to education, society, and human nature. In this article, we will explain the ending and explore how each theme is portrayed in the movie beautifully.

Detachment is a 2011 American drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by Carl Lund. It stars Adrien Brody as Henry Barthes, a substitute teacher who drifts from classroom to classroom, finding a connection to the students and teachers during his latest assignment at a troubled high school. To further understand the character, I have also written another in depth character analysis on how Henry Barthes is a non-person.

Detachment Ending Explained

Ambiguous:

The ending does not provide clear answers or resolutions for Henry’s fate or future plans. It is unclear whether he will stay at the school or move on to another assignment, whether he will pursue a relationship with Sarah or Erica, whether he will reconcile his feelings about his late mother and grandfather or not, and whether he will overcome his detachment or remain isolated.

Optimistic:

The ending suggests that Henry has experienced some positive changes and growth in his life. He has helped Erica escape from prostitution and a dreadful life. He has helped her start a new and clean life. Although he failed, he did try to save Meredith from killing herself and gave her hope for a brief moment.

Henry has received appreciation and respect from his students. He has expressed his emotions and grief for his mother and grandfather. At the end of the film, he reads a passage from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher” that implies a sense of renewal and rebirth after destruction.

Detachment Plot Summary

The film follows Henry Barthes as he teaches English classes at a high school where many students are performing at a low grade level and are involved in violence, drugs, and sexual abuse. On his first day, he asks his students to write an essay on how they want to be remembered after they die. He also witnesses several acts of hostility and antagonism from the students and staff members.

Henry becomes acquainted with three women who have profound effects on his life: Erica (Sami Gayle), a teenage prostitute whom he rescues from the street and takes into his apartment, Sarah (Christina Hendricks), a fellow teacher who develops romantic feelings for him, and Meredith (Betty Kaye), a bullied student who admires his teaching style and also the one who commits suicide by poisoning herself at the end of the movie.

Henry also struggles with his own personal issues. He has flashbacks of his mother’s suicide when he was young. He visits his grandfather (Louis Zorich) who is dying in a nursing home. He tries to cope with his detachment from society and emotions.

Throughout the film, Henry narrates his thoughts and feelings in voice-over monologues that address various themes such as education, identity, morality, compassion, and death. He also interacts with other characters who share their perspectives on life:

• Dr. Parker (Lucy Liu), the school counselor who breaks down after dealing with too many troubled students.
• Principal Dearden (Marcia Gay Harden), who faces her dismissal as head of the failing school.
• Mr. Seaboldt (James Caan), an apathetic teacher who mocks his students’ problems.
• Ms. Perkins (Blythe Danner), an elderly teacher who encourages Henry to keep teaching.
• Grampa (Louis Zorich), Henry’s grandfather who has had a very troubled life and relationship with Henry.

The film ends with Henry meeting Erica at the community center for foster kids where she hopes to start a new life away from prostitution. He then returns to the school where he finds Meredith’s chair empty after she could not be saved.

Themes and Meaning in Detachment

Detachment explores various themes related to education, society, and human nature.

Education

The film depicts the challenges faced by teachers and students in an underfunded public education system that fails to provide adequate resources, support, or guidance for learning or personal growth.

It also shows how teachers can make a difference in their students’ lives by inspiring them, listening to them, or caring for them despite their difficulties or differences.

Society

The film portrays a bleak vision of contemporary society that is plagued by violence, corruption, poverty, drugs, sexual abuse, loneliness, and despair.

It also criticizes how society neglects or exploits its most vulnerable members such as children, the elderly, and prostitutes.

Human nature

The film examines how humans cope with pain, trauma, and loss by either detaching themselves from their emotions or seeking connection with others.

It also explores how humans can find meaning, purpose, and hope in their lives through art, literature, or spirituality.

Detachment is a film that challenges its viewers to reflect on their own lives and relationships, as well as the state of education and society. It presents a realistic and raw portrayal of human suffering and struggle, but also offers glimpses of human compassion and resilience.

It invites its viewers to question their own detachment or attachment to themselves and others, and to seek meaning and beauty in a seemingly vicious and loveless world. Here’s a bonus video on the character analysis of Henry Barthes – hope you enjoy!