"He is you, Peter."
Mary Jane finally mustered up the courage and looked at Peter with poise.
Peter was taken aback, his eyes lit up. Even without words or actions, he could clearly feel the joy and happiness within him at that moment—so this was the taste of dreams coming true.
Mary Jane felt it too, her smile blossoming fully, her words growing more resolute.
"I kept thinking, 'If I can survive, then I'll get to see Peter Parker again.'" She lifted her right hand to cradle Peter's face, gently caressing his cheek through the glove.
Peter subtly turned his head, carefully feeling the warmth of Mary Jane's palm through the glove, almost burning his cheek. His tense facial lines gradually relaxed, and his smile timidly and cautiously began to rise.
"Really?" he asked.
Seeing his dream about to come true, he began to fear it might just be his fantasy or a dream—what if it wasn't real?
Mary Jane took a step closer. "Only one person has been with me from start to finish, making me feel that I'm probably much better than I imagined."
"I'm just… me. And that's okay."
Peter gazed into Mary Jane's eyes with tenderness and determination, continuing to protect and encourage her, loving her wholeheartedly, silently telling her:
She is perfect just as she is.
His gaze was so deep and captivating, like a calm ocean, slowly enveloping Mary Jane and giving her courage.
Mary Jane said, "In fact… I love you."
Peter… was stunned.
Mary Jane didn't notice, "I really love you, Peter."
With a kiss sealing her words.
Finally, Mary Jane and Peter kissed, not Spider-Man, but the real Peter Parker.
Gloria was almost melting in those deep blue eyes, but when the long-awaited scene finally unfolded, she didn't feel the joy of fireworks exploding. The happiness she had prepared for was stuck in the brief moment of Peter's shock.
Was that… sadness?
Gloria questioned her own eyes. Did she really detect sadness in Peter's astonishment?
It must be her illusion, right?
Even though it was a happy ending for lovers finally coming together, the imagined happiness did not arrive but instead began to fall, like a free-fall, slow, calm, yet unending, descending into those deep blue eyes, slowly being swallowed by the blue.
Deeply, deeply, Peter was actively responding to Mary Jane.
However, Gloria saw a look of resolve on Peter's face, sadness and pain gradually fading from his features, eventually turning into determination.
Unavoidably, Gloria's vision blurred.
But why?
Two people in love finally overcoming numerous obstacles to embrace each other, Peter finding a warm haven after enduring countless trials and tribulations, able to enjoy a moment of peace after the storm—why did she feel like a fool, silently crying?
Gloria didn't know what was wrong with her, like a madwoman.
The kiss ended, lips parted.
Mary Jane also noticed, as the heat of happiness faded, a sense of unease creeping in. She held Peter's face, trying to seek a response.
However, Peter lowered his eyes, not meeting Mary Jane's gaze:
I really want to tell her how much I love her, but…
Peter lifted his eyes to look at Mary Jane, sadness showing in his eyes. His lips curled into a faint smile, which slowly crumbled into sadness.
"I can't."
He said.
Mary Jane didn't understand, fear and panic gripping her heart, her eyes already moist, her voice trembling uncontrollably, "Can't what?"
Peter didn't look away, deeply, intensely looking at the face he had loved for a lifetime, using all his strength to control the tears in his eyes, his smile growing brighter, carefully masking the bitterness and struggle behind it.
"Tell you… everything. I mean, too many things."
Mary Jane didn't understand the meaning behind Peter's words, but she sighed slightly in relief, "Yes, there are too many things."
Peter continued to gaze intently, "I want you to know, I'll always be with you, I'll always take care of you, I promise."
Taking a deep breath, he nearly exhausted all his strength to say the next line.
"I'll always be your friend."
Mary Jane finally realized, "Just a friend?"
Peter did not respond.
Mary Jane's heart sank, despairingly looking at Peter, "Peter Parker?"
Peter just looked at Mary Jane, motionless, "I can only give you this much."—
Sorry.
His eyes were slightly moist. Peter smiled, trying to hide his tears with his smile, but tears still lingered on his lashes.
Mary Jane could no longer control herself, tears falling heartbreakingly.
Peter raised his hand, trying to wipe Mary Jane's tears, but ultimately let it fall powerless.
Grinding his teeth, Peter resolutely turned and walked away.
Robert Ebert watched the big screen, his thoughts darkening with Peter's turning motion: An unexpected, utterly unexpected ending.
But brilliant! Perfect!
Ending the cycle in this way, not for the sake of sadness nor reunion, from the first scene's setup to the final curtain—
A story of a young man's growth, a superhero's awakening, a story of struggling between justice and self, carrying the burden forward.
So light yet so complete, most importantly, showing the essence of tragedy in simple relationships, bold and spectacular.
Previously, Robert had wondered how the third act would end, how the character arcs would settle, and now, the film provided a perfect answer.
Even Robert, watching Peter walk away, could deeply feel that pain, love elevated to a new level.
At this moment, heartbreak and strength, the cost of growth, were perfectly interpreted. Without a doubt, this is a new way of opening up youth/superhero films, and Sony Columbia agreeing to such an ending is undeniably bold.
Admiringly, Robert was completely immersed in the story and had come to completely love Peter Parker—
This was something Robert hadn't anticipated before the film began.
Surprise?
Definitely a surprise!
Mary Jane, suddenly snapping out of her sadness, touched her lips, eyes filled with confusion and surprise. She turned, looking at Peter's receding figure, no longer feeling sadness, as if struck by lightning, standing in place in shock.
Peter, from hesitation to resolve, walking faster, gradually straightened up, lifted his head, and walked forward—
No matter how the future unfolds, I will never forget this phrase: With great power comes great responsibility. It's my gift, my curse.
Who am I?
I am Spider-Man.
Step by step, Peter walked away.
Then, Peter transformed back into Spider-Man, swinging through New York, freer, more exhilarating, and more determined, embracing his new identity with open arms. Finally, he landed atop the Empire State Building, resolutely looking ahead.
The film ended.