Here's one that I can't get to fit neatly in the table: "Monster's Ball". I could not, and still cannot, reconcile myself to the way that movie ended. Sure, you can class it as optimistic - the main characters have had their epiphanies, reconciled their pasts, and preparing to go forward, together, to a better life. Certainly the narrative progressed carefully and logically to this point; it's not gratuitous. But I struggle with, because never have I encountered two characters who 'deserve' this kind of ending less than this pair...

Meredith, that's exactly how I feel about *About Schmidt* -- all the steps are there, but in the end I haven't got even an ounce of empathy for the character (or any of the characters, even), and I can't be satisfied with the ending.