The End (1978)

Directed by: Burt Reynolds

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Sonny Lawson (Burt Reynolds) finds out he has a rare blood disease and is going to die, causing him to contemplate suicide.

Cat Cattle Call: Sonny is married but is seeing a girl named Mary Ellen (Sally Field) on the side. She lives in a small house which is extremely unkempt. Her housemates are numerous cats, three of which are seen prominently. The first is a large ginger and white tabby cat who is sitting beside the bed when Sonny tells Mary Ellen he is dying.

The End - close up of large ginger and white tabby cat
The End - ginger and white tabby cat behind Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field

Sonny wants to make out with Mary Ellen despite the bad news.

The End - ginger and white tabby cat behind Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field
The End - ginger and white tabby cat behind Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field

When they do make love, Mary Ellen is more interested in petting the cat.

The End - ginger and white tabby cat being petted by Mary Ellen Sally Field as she makes out
The End - ginger and white tabby cat being petted by Mary Ellen Sally Field as she makes out
The End - ginger and white tabby cat being petted by Mary Ellen Sally Field as she makes out with Sonny Burt Reynolds animated gif

Later this same cat is sitting on top of the refrigerator.

The End - ginger and white tabby cat on refrigerator behind Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field

A gray tabby is in the background behind Sonny.

The End - gray tabby cat behind Sonny Burt Reynolds

A small cream tabby kitten is sitting on the kitchen table as Sonny and Mary Ellen discuss why Sonny gets more out of their love making than Mary Ellen does.

The End - cream tabby kitten on table in front of Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field

Sonny gets so aggravated he even ends up yelling in the direction of the grey tabby, who growls in response (the growls are actually dubbed in).

The End - grey tabby cat being yelled at by Sonny Burt Reynolds
The End - grey tabby cat being yelled at by Sonny Burt Reynolds animated gif

Even in the midst of their argument, Mary Ellen pauses to call to an unseen kitty in a little house, offering the cat a slice of pizza!

The End - ginger and white tabby cat on table and gray tabby cat with Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field

When Sonny returns to the house later in the film, the ginger and white tabby is sitting on the sink.

The End - ginger and white tabby cat on sink behind Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field
The End - ginger and white tabby cat on sink behind Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field

Mary Ellen even has a large poster of a cat in her room!

The End - large poster of black and white cat behind Sonny Burt Reynolds and Mary Ellen Sally Field

Looking for the gun he gave Mary Ellen previously, Sonny digs through the cats’ litter box, tossing cats aside as he searches. The cream kitten watches as this scene begins.

The End - cream tabby kitten in bathroom with Sonny Burt Reynolds
The End - Sonny Burt Reynolds tossing aside cats in bathroom
The End - Sonny Burt Reynolds tossing cats aside in bathroom animated gif

Final Mewsings: Cats are more interesting than just about anything!

Many thanks to Ted Davis and Nick Wale for letting us know about the cats in this film.

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