Endless Love

Jade is set to graduate after she completes her thesis and makes up for dropped courses. Her future remains uncertain, and she and David rarely discuss it. Despite being so close to graduating, Jade frequently considers quitting school to start a new life with David, dreaming of a cabin in Maine or a new city. David knows it is his responsibility to keep her focused but also shares her desire to leave.

Jade’s senior thesis involves an experiment with dogs, studying the behavioral differences between litters raised by a blind mother and a sighted mother. The experiment, however, fails to yield significant results, leaving Jade devastated and considering dropping out. Eventually, she turns the failed experiment into a thesis about its flaws, transforming it into a personal reflection. The project allows her to explore more profound, introspective themes, comparing dogs to mirrors of human emotions.

David assists Jade with the dogs, and they both become emotionally invested in the puppies, seeing them as a metaphor for their relationship. They nurture the pups together, which strengthens their bond. Jade realizes she wants to study animals scientifically and holistically, like her father Hugh, who practiced homeopathy. She desires to observe the world more personally, and she aspires to attend graduate school and a career that aligns with this vision.

David and Jade’s relationship deepens as they consider starting a family and decide to try for a baby. However, after a passionate night, Jade gets her period, and they agree it is not the right time to have a child. Jade visits her family on the anniversary of the fire, and David, left alone, reflects on his longing for a family and the significance of their relationship.

David calls home for the first time in a while, speaking with his parents and learning that Arthur’s love, Barbara, has died. David argues with Rose and Arthur, Rose wanting him to return at once and Arthur cautioning against it. After they hang up, Rose calls back over an hour later to tell David that Arthur had a heart attack.

David calls Jade and arranges to return to Chicago.

Rose meets David at the airport, and they rush to Jackson Park Hospital, where David’s father, Arthur, recovers from his heart attack.

As they drive, Rose vents her frustration about the timing of David’s call, suggesting it might have contributed to Arthur’s condition. She updates David on Arthur’s status, indicating that while he is recovering, he remains vulnerable. Rose also reveals her recent efforts to contact Carl Courtney, a former lover, but she ultimately feels it was not worth continuing. Rose and Arthur’s reconciliation surprises David, and Rose expresses concern that David’s presence might provoke another attack.

David finds Arthur in relatively good spirits at the hospital despite some discomfort and anxiety about being a burden. The conversation between David, Arthur, and Rose is strained and formal, laden with unspoken tension. Rose steps out to call home and check for messages. David’s parole officer, Eddie, has called, and the cleaning lady provided their location. Despite his parents’ reassurances, David panics and abruptly leaves the hospital. Rose catches up with him, and they drive together. David asks Rose to take him to the airport and buy a plane ticket, but she admits she does not have the money. David forcibly insists she takes him to the bus station. In the ensuing struggle, he hurts her, causing her to stop the car in the middle of the street. David exits the car, walks to the bus depot, and takes a bus to New York City.

In New York, David contacts Jade, who informs him that Ingrid, Hugh’s ex, is coming to see her, heightening David’s anxiety. David calls Ann for help; she provides money but declines to listen to his confession, advising him to write her a letter instead.

David finally arrives in Stoughton, but his emotional state continues to deteriorate. When Jade does not answer his calls, he walks the three miles to her house, only to find it locked. In a state of panic, he breaks into the kitchen. Jade confronts him with a broom, expressing her profound distress and warning him to leave or she will harm herself. Devastated, David leaves and seeks refuge in a kennel behind Jade’s house. The following day, Jade contacts the police, who arrive to arrest the disheveled and distressed David.

Throughout this ordeal, David is overwhelmed by guilt, tormented by imagined scenarios of Jade’s actions.

After multiple trials and appeals, the courts send David to Volkshill prison. His sentence is initially six months but his experiences in Volkshill prison are harsh and psychologically damaging, leading to severe mental and physical deterioration. After three months, psychiatrists evaluate David and recommend his transfer to a state hospital. Rose and Arthur agree to send David back to Rockville.

In Rockville, David stabilizes and works with the doctors. He starts making movies and is an ideal patient.

David receives a letter from Jade. She updates David on her life, including her new job, interests, and personal developments. Jade updates David on the Butterfields, who all seem to be doing well. She expresses a mixture of love and regret, acknowledging the complexity of their past and concluding that their paths must part.

David’s condition improves slightly with the help of lithium, and he becomes more involved with the other patients and the hospital’s activities over five years.

Rose and Arthur visit and tell David that Jade married a Frenchman.

Afterward, David’s behavior at Rockville becomes increasingly erratic. After threatening a fellow patient, Bruno, the doctors place David under heightened security. As his mental condition worsens, David engages in several unhealthy relationships with other patients, including Rochelle, Pat, and Stephanie. His obsessive pursuit of Stephanie leads to a confrontation with Dr. Clark, who informs David that his presence is disruptive to the therapeutic environment, resulting in a recommendation for his transfer to a different facility.

They transfer David to Fox Run, a state-run hospital known for its poor conditions and lack of security. His attempts to escape result in severe physical punishment, exacerbating his sense of despair. The environment at Fox Run is bleak, with patients from various backgrounds and staff preoccupied with defending the hospital from criticism.

Ann comes to see David at Fox Run. She is now a published author and expresses her dismay at David’s confinement. Their conversation reveals David’s deep sense of abandonment and desperation. Ann’s visit, though emotionally charged, does little to alleviate David’s situation, and he remains trapped in a cycle of mental anguish.

Arthur dies, but David just feels numb. Fox Run releases David, and he returns to his old apartment, struggling to find work and adjust to life without the hope of reconciliation with Jade. David eventually finds stability with a new partner but confesses that his love for Jade continues.