At the end of the movie it was not obvious to me what Alex's ultimate fate was. In particular, I wasn't clear whether he lived or died from his injury. It seemed like he might live, as he was still moving a bit, but everyone around him seemed completely unconcerned with getting him medical attention. I even considered the possibility that he was dead at the time of the ending, and we were just seeing him move, but the people in movie were just seeing him as dead.
Is it made clear at some point? Is it purposely ambiguous? Or was I just missing the obvious?
Answer
It is interesting, as I never assumed that Alex was dead, or even thought that this was ambiguous. Only reading this question made me realize the discussion around this point.
Yes it is surprising that the photographer was taking pictures of him whilst he lies there injured, but (following a quick check on youtube) he is clearly moving his head and facial expressions whilst this is going on - and smiling at the thought of the bag full of fake money that Juliet has taken after hammering the knife into him with her shoe. Yes he has lost a lot of blood, but to my mind it is looking like they are awaiting paramedics to arrive.
I think that the Director is not always authoritative when it comes to interpreting a movie - but certainly the director's opinion about the intention of a scene or shot is important to consider - and Danny Boyle has been clear that he intended Alex to survive the movie (Commentary on Special Edition DVD).
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