Ross RapoportLance - I think you're close. But I think it has much to do with the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Once Tommy conquered the fear of death and left the ship to face it, he achieved enlightenment, which triggered critical, positive changes in each of the storylines.
The Eastern symbolism in the ending sequence is unmi...stakable, and is about as subtle as getting hit by a car.
Tommy's repeated flaw/mistake was focusing on HER, and himself. When he finally saw what she wanted him to see, he realized that it was far bigger than both of them.
The Hindu theme of reincarnation is strong as well. In their previous lives, both of them were solely focused on Spain and their own existences. As their souls matured, their scope broadened beyond one country, or even one planet, and became the entire universe.
