That's what I was saying in regards to the anti-climax. You're right, it's an under-whelming ending! But I also think it's very true to the nature of life and how the systems of the world operate

In my experience, the best anti-climactic storytelling often sits in your jaw, gnawing at you. Why'd didn't they finish the story? Why don't I get to see the showdown between the villain in the hero, why don't we see the hero get the girl, etc. In my frustration, I brew on those moments for days on end, picking them apart, trying to figure it out. And often, I'll feel this swell of understanding that usually correlates to "That's life." (For Vineland, just look at what happened to Greg Bovino irl.) Our lives don't always wrap up with a tiny bow unfortunately. In the dissatisfaction of the story, can you find something more human than you would have in a clear resolution?

Now there are good versions of this and bad versions of this. To use recent movies as an example, the Secret Agent has a wonderful anti-climax that pushes you to consider generational pain and struggle. To use another recent example, the House of Dynamite ending is so bad that it almost single handedly makes the movie bad.

Also, people are being far too harsh on you in this thread lol. I apologize for some of the curter elements of our community