At some point there needs to be a conversation about how this is precisely the kind of ingrained social pressure the film is warning us about.
People watch this film and they feel let down because they do not see where Joe ends up. We as a people are taught to judge a person by his achievements. Joe either needs to add value to society as a teacher or Joe must become widely acknowledged for his piano skills.
Both these things however reduce playing piano to a means, not the end. And Joe could quite possible lose his joy of playing piano if he did it only as a means to an end, rather than do it for the joy of playing. Joe was losing sight of that and might have become a lost soul who would get stuck brainlessly playing piano as a job (whether as a teacher or as part of the band) if he didn't realize there's more to life than that. For instance, enjoying something as simple as everyday conversation with his barber.
My problem is that this man died twice and came back to life three times to play the piano, but in the end, he decided to just enjoy life which seems so dumb after he fought so hard earlier to achieve his goals.
Let's not forget that this man wanted to be a musician for his entire life(s). Let's also not forget that his mom can't retire because she can't depend on him and he depends on her.
His mom was also proud of him for getting his teaching gig and when he performed on stage. So the least he could do is take either job to finally stop being an emotional and physical burden on his mom.
I wanted to see the mom bragging about her son by the end of the movie.
There is nothing wrong with being happy, but there are still bills and family to take care of. The ending of the movie was wholly unrealistic.
Getting bored of playing the piano doesn't matter. There are plenty of Nurses, Doctors, teachers, etc., that don't like their jobs but keep them regardless because they have a duty to their families.
And you can't fault me for being disappointed after I became just as invested in his dream as he was only for him to throw it away at the end and become aimless.
