By having the film be told in the perspective of the main character, Lester, we immediately feel a closer proximity to him than any other character. Moreover, making everybody else in the film hate him makes the audience sympathize him. Thus latching on and becoming more attracted to characters that are nice to Lester, namely, Ricky. We do not know if it is the correctly moral judgement to like Ricky. His voyeuristic tendencies towards Jane was portrayed as almost innocent and pure. However, it was until the final scene of Lester's death that there seems to be something morally wrong about Ricky. The fact that he may find the death of Lester beautiful goes against the mainstream morality of common people. This revelation leads to the questioning of Lester's way of life during his last days.
It was portrayed that Lester was, in a sense, freeing himself of the sackles of life, and embracing himself purely as he is. Therefore, the sympathy created from his alienation allows us to somehow "forgive" him for his "unholy" actions (according to mainstream moral judgement). Actions that would normally be scorned (having an affair with an underage, smoking weed, blackmailing...) were not portrayed as wrongful, but rather justified actions given the situation Lester was in, It is at his death that things begin to piece together, that it may have been precisely his "freedom" and "justified actions" that have led to his death. Yet we are happy for him, because he was happy.
It makes me question the way I see things - the moral judgement that we so easily impose unto others.Maybe the film is trying to say precisely this, that nothing and nobody matters as long as you are happy with your life. "You can only count on yourself." (As Carolyn so spitefully said),
The death sequence was beautiful, almost like an homage to Lester's life. The final tribute and salutation.
