The fact of the matter is this, you will be hard pressed to find a final scene in a film that holds the emotional weight of The Last Ride. I remember feeling heartbroken the day Paul Walker passed away, not just because he was one of my favorite actors as he helped introduce me to the Fast & Furious films, but also because in some strange way he helped me feel that much more connected to my late brother as we both shared the same admiration for him as an actor.
I had a heavy heart on the day of Paul Walker’s untimely death because it was the anniversary of my brother’s tragic motorcycle accident at the age of 24, which occurred on November 30th, 2006. Paul Walker’s accident occurred 7 years to the day on November 30th, 2013.
Perhaps it is a simple coincidence that Paul and my brother left this earth on the same date, or just maybe it’s more than that - either way I know in my heart it was somehow meant to strengthen the connection I have with my brother. After Paul’s death the connection somehow grew stronger as it seemingly carried on into the world beyond the one we know, as well as the fact that his untimely death felt eerily familiar to that of my brothers - great men taken too soon who left a loving family behind.
On that chilly Friday morning in April of 2015, I carried an emotional weight that entire day knowing that by 7:00 PM that night I would be in the movie theater about to witness the on-screen and real-life farewell to Paul Walker. I knew his death occurred prior to the completion of Furious 7 and they had recruited his brothers, who graciously agreed to help finish the remaining scenes to ensure their brother received the sendoff he deserved - now that’s just what brothers do.
It was hard watching this film from start to finish, always paying extra attention to Walker’s character Brian O’Connor, the man who started as a cop trying to make a name for himself undercover and became a vital centerpiece to a new family. At the end as everyone gathered together on the beach just watching Brian and Mia play with their daughter at the ocean's edge, I was immediately choked up to the point where I couldn’t speak a word if I wanted to.
As Whiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” started to come through the theaters speakers I felt a chill begin to work its way through my body - seeing the look of genuine sadness on the actors’ faces as they said goodbye to a co-worker who became like family to them was so incredibly captivating and painfully sad at the same time. As Vin Diesel’s character Dominic Toretto walked off and left the others I remember thinking, “Where is he going? He didn't even say goodbye to Brian,” but what comes next was so perfect I was literally in awe of what I had just experienced.
The camera shifts to Toretto driving down a long highway stopping at an intersection zoomed in on his face, and out of nowhere you hear the sound of another roaring engine. Toretto looks to his left and what does he see none other than his friend, no better yet his brother, Brian aka Paul looking over at him with the biggest and most genuine smile you’ve ever seen. This was Paul Walker saying his final goodbye, but even more than that it was him saying don’t worry about me - I’m okay.
The look on Paul Walker’s face at that moment was so eerily similar to the look my brother gave me in a dream I had after he said his final goodbye, and as sad as it was that dream gave me a small piece of closure that I needed more than I will ever truly understand. It was as though he was saying even though I am no longer on this Earth in the physical sense, I am still with you and you will see me again - and that is why the song, "See You Again" rings so true for me and stops me in my tracks each and every time it comes on the radio. No matter what I am doing when it starts playing, it gets my full attention. The incredible Fast & Furious movie montage that came next felt like a flooding of memories because of how important this franchise has been to my life, and although tears were running down my face, I was smiling- this was perfect.
As the engines came roaring to life both men pulled away, taking separate roads to symbolize their future journeys - and instead of the screen fading to black before the credits as we are accustomed to, it faded to white to symbolize the see you later mentality for the late Paul Walker. Incredible.
Watch the full final scene below as well as the official See You Again music video, and get the tissues ready.
Larry Thomas Trafton Jr | February 1st, 1982 - November 30th, 2006
Paul William Walker IV | September 12th, 1973 - November 30th, 2013
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