In my research, I found that the issue of whether a happy ending is tied to commercial value, and this was confirmed in a report by The New York Times. The report stated that for commercial productions, a happy ending is very important because it can bring audience satisfaction and repeat viewings, thus promoting box office revenue. At the same time, the definition of a happy ending may vary depending on different cultures and backgrounds. Some cultures tend to convey hope and optimism, while others are more inclined to explore the complexities and challenges of being human. Therefore, when deciding what kind of ending to choose for a work, various factors should be considered, such as themes, plot, and cultural context.
- Wright, R.A. (1973) Hollywood’s happy ending: A profitable twist, The New York Times. The New York Times. Available from: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/04/archives/hollywoods-happy-ending-a-profitable-twist.html [20 February,2023].