I recently watched the Netflix film titled The Unicorn Store. Unicorns, as symbols, had been standing out to me for a while now, so it seemed like an appropriate movie to watch. As I watched Kit (Brie Larson) trying to earn her unicorn, it was cute, full of pretty costumes and colors, however, I was a bit disappointed at the end. I felt unfulfilled as I watched the credits rolling, so I thought about it for a bit and then wrote a possible new film ending.
If you haven’t watched the film, here’s my brief synopsis:
Kit, an “out of the box” painter, tried and tried to fit in at art school and at work, but all her colorfulness and artistic talents went ignored or were gawked at. She was laughed at, was put in very awkward situations, and was forced to do things she hated (like get a “normal” job at an ad agency) just because it was “the way the world was”. Her boss, Gary (Hamish Linklater), seemed to have some faith in her and her artistic talents, but when she gave an ad campaign her all (one he encouraged her to give her all to), he turned his back on her, went with the “norm” and she lost her job.
She lived with her parents (Joan Cusack and Bradley Whitford), and they tried to understand and support her, but fell slightly short. However, she was able to push past all this because The Salesman (Samuel L. Jackson), whom she found in an abandoned church-like building after receiving a mysterious invitation on her desk at work, believed in her and was going to give her a unicorn IF she could prove she could take care of it.
Kit had always wanted a unicorn. It was her lifelong dream. When The Salesman told her she could get a her very own real unicorn, she worked during all her spare time to earn it. She built it a home, got the food, and did all the research needed. By the end of the movie, she earned and met the unicorn, but decided she didn’t need it anymore. She wanted it, but learned that another person was on the list to earn one. Through all her trials and tribulations, she realized she had become much stronger and could accomplish anything she set her heart to. Kit allowed the other person to have the unicorn and went on her merry way with the new friend, Virgil (Mamoudou Athie), she gained during her time trying to earn the unicorn.
Where the movie falls short is in the ending. My question is this: Which merry way did Kit go?
The screenplay was written by Samantha Montgomery McIntyre. All I can figure is that Samantha wanted the viewer to imagine on their own where Kit could be now. My heart didn’t quite love this film because of this. Don’t get me wrong….the film is cute and I loved the story, but I just needed more resolution. I don’t need a “happy ending” in every movie I watch, but I like for there to be some kind of resolution. If Kit didn’t want the unicorn and is a stronger person because of everything she went through, what can she do with all that new found strength? She is super talented but we, the film viewers, would like to know she has some sort of idea on how she can turn all her talents into a career path. Like it or not, we all have to make money somehow, someway. Her parents supported her living at their house, but I can’t imagine them supporting her financially forever.
Here’s what I imagined she could do. I write this as a possible end of the film:
While spending time with The Salesman in the church-like building, Kit fell in love with the unique environment. She and her new friend Virgil, return to the environment a few days after she gives up the unicorn. Because The Salesman has already given away the unicorn, he has packed up shop and is back on the road again, so the building is empty. Kit notices a For Lease sign with a phone number on one of the walls. Virgil encourages her to call the number and lease the space to start an art studio. Kit explains that the space is too large just for her. He tells her to make it an open studio environment where other artists can come to work on their art with her. He explains the artists can pay her rent and be able to all work collectively together on art pieces as well as alone on their own art in the creative environment. Kit likes the idea and decides to call it The Unicorn Store based on her experience with The Salesman.
She returns home to speak with her parents. They like the idea and loan her enough money to get the space started. Virgil and Kit work together to set up the space close to how she remembers it looking when The Salesman had his shop there. They work on a logo for the shop that contains a horse with rainbow colored hair, but no horn. They both agree that if anyone asks where the horn is, they will explain that it is a special kind of unicorn that doesn’t need a horn for magic, as it’s magic comes from it’s heart. Just like Kit.
They advertise the space all over social media, billboards and in art supply shops all over the city. Almost 100 artists show up on opening day. There are so many that they fill the entire space. Their rent more than covers the lease, so Kit is able to pay her parents back and get her own place. Her life is fulfilled by using her own unique talents and by following her heart. The End.
I’d like to thank Brie Larson and Samantha McIntyre for my art and writing inspiration. Artists are often able to build upon one another’s work and that is a wonderful thing. Inspiration comes from everywhere. Kudos to Brie and her producing and directing skills and kudos to Samantha for getting her story turned into a Netflix film! Those are both amazing feats and I am so happy they both have made their dreams come true and continue to work on them. I pray for myself that one day I can follow in their footsteps and make my dreams come true.
I’d also like to thank my 3rd cousin, Maria, for her inspiration. She and her 4 year old mind recently asked me where my “horn” was after learning I colored my hair with Lime Crime’s Unicorn Hair. She heard that I had unicorn hair so it only made sense that I should have a horn, right? LOL!
Sending my love and light to all who need it!
