Save the Tiger

Main Plot

Save the Tiger follows the story of a middle-aged businessman named Harry Stoner, who is struggling to keep his clothing manufacturing company afloat amidst financial difficulties and changing market dynamics. As he grapples with the pressures of his failing business, Harry reflects on his life choices and the moral compromises he has made in pursuit of success. The film delves into themes of existential despair, the impact of capitalism, and the quest for personal redemption. Throughout the narrative, Harry faces mounting pressures from creditors and the looming threat of bankruptcy, forcing him to confront his own values and the toll that his ambitions have taken on his life and relationships. The story captures his internal conflict as he navigates the harsh realities of the business world while seeking a sense of purpose and meaning in a rapidly changing society.

Characters

• Jack Lemmon plays Harry Stoner, a struggling businessman facing a moral crisis as he contemplates arson to save his failing clothing company.
• Jack Gilford played Phil Greene, the loyal business partner who tries to support Harry Stoner through his moral and financial crises.
• Laurie Heineman plays Myra, a young hitchhiker who represents lost innocence and fleeting youth, contrasting with the protagonist's moral and existential struggles.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Save the Tiger, the protagonist, Harry Stoner, faces the culmination of his internal and external conflicts. Throughout the film, Harry grapples with the pressures of running a struggling clothing business and the moral dilemmas that arise from his desperate attempts to save it. As the story unfolds, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the corporate world and the compromises he must make. In the final scenes, Harry's emotional turmoil peaks when he confronts the reality of his situation. He realizes that his efforts to maintain his business and his sense of self-worth are intertwined with his ethical boundaries. The climax occurs when he decides to take a drastic step to resolve his financial woes, leading to a moment of reckoning. This decision reflects his struggle between survival and integrity, encapsulating the film's themes of desperation and moral ambiguity. Ultimately, the ending leaves Harry in a state of ambiguity, highlighting the complexities of his choices. The resolution of the main conflict emphasizes the cost of success in a capitalist society, as Harry's journey reveals the toll that ambition and societal pressures can take on an individual’s conscience and sense of identity.