Quentin
Senior HTF Member
I don't know what Del Toro's opinions about it are. Anywhere I can read? I know you got to hear him speak (lucky devil).
I think the sad vs. happy ending DOES have a LOT to do with the birth/rebirth theme. As much with what the baby has to do with it as she has to do with it. (I'm trying to discuss the theme without spoiling) In this theme - you would focus on the the happy interpretation.
It also has a lot to do with the theme of growing up. The "Peter Pan" theme, if you will. In this theme, you would focus on the sad interpretation.
As for the theme of obedience vs. choice, here it is a little vague...but, she makes her choice and the ending is a direct result of that choice. I guess it's not relevant WHICH ending, because the choice is more important.
In The Fountain, Tommy's final revelation makes everything that came before irrelevant. It is just part of the journey. But, the end goes only one place as a direct result of that revelation.
Ofelia is different - her choice reveals two truths. Three, if you consider the future of the baby (symbolic, I think, of Spain itself).