Details from “What Happens Later”‘s (now showing in theaters) closing moments are included in this narrative. * Voice of the flight attendant* If you want the conclusion to remain a surprise, please proceed to the exit.
After watching Meg Ryan’s eagerly awaited comeback to romantic comedies with “What Happens Later,” viewers may be thinking, “What happens even later?” Willa Davis (Ryan) and Bill Davis (David Duchovny), who are ex-boyfriends, reconcile?
The two former lovers, who dated in their 20s, meet up again on Leap Day at an airport after a snowfall causes both of their flights to be delayed. Bill is on his way to meet with his irate, considerably younger boss in Austin, Texas. Willa is on her way to Boston to see the adopted daughter.
Ryan remarks, “I just adore that portion of it.” “This notion, this illusion that, despite the fact that it now feels like suffering, there are greater powers operating in your favor. How much of that is true? However, it is in this universe and in this film.”
“Looking back, we sometimes say, ‘Well, that’s why I visited that location at that particular moment.'” In actual life, Duchovny says, “I thought it was for this reason, and it ended up being for that reason.” “We want the story to make sense because we are human. We desire the impression that it is being written.”
Willa turns over an old business card Bill gave her as he proceeds to his gate. Rather than writing his number as he had promised, he scribbled “JUST TRY,” urging the apprehensive Willa to board the aircraft and meet her daughter.
They discover they can see each other via the plane’s windows after boarding. Willa begs for Bill’s phone number by hand signals, but before he can get it over, the planes take off (using his fingers). The trail of vapor left by their jets after takeoff takes the appearance of a heart.
What are the opinions of Duchovny and Ryan, who both directed and co-wrote the screenplay?
In a sense, Duchovny explains, “I always just left it in the lap of the audience.” “Let them debate it, whether they want them together or not, and whether they believe they will be together or not.”
Sitting next to her co-star, Ryan says, “I hope it’s not a cop-out, the feeling of leaving it (up to) the audience.” They’ve been taking us on this crazy rollercoaster where they act as though they’re going to be together, but then they get into some stupid quarrel and repeat the cycle.
“Those two are going to go through that process together, and maybe that’s love,” she continues. “I feel like these two will continue to circle around forever for whatever reason.”
