1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
This was such a unique movie. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s very unusual yet its themes are simple–life, death and love. The story connects these themes and results to a poignant tale that made me wonder a number of what ifs.
They say that in love, age doesn’t matter and it can even trascend time. However, what if life and time ticks back? How can love surpass such challenge? The love of Benjamin and Daisy is amazingly sweet. It was a strong yet a gentle love. Even though through the most painful part of their relationship, even though they choose to let go and separate ways, the great love between them still stands out.
In addition, what made their love overcomes it all? It is the acceptance that “none of us is perfect forever.”
Moreover, from the start of the movie, what affected me is how its touches the topic of motherhood. It implies that a person’s life is nothing without the devoted caring of a mother, or of at least, of somebody who will fully plays her role in her absence. The love of that black woman to the crumpled odd looking infant is infectious from the moment she carried him in her arms until the completely understand his real condition. Somehow, she did not hesitate to give her unconditional love to the abandoned stranger.
Nevertheless, I think, what moved me most was the way Benjamin calls that black woman, “mama.” It was all love, faith and submission from a real son. I can’t say who deserved whom.
Even the loving words of the aged Daisy to her daughter, as she said, “you can’t disappoint me.” is something to ponder on. People always try hard to live up to the expectations of others, or even of our own family/ parents. Yet, somehow, it can always be true that parents, especially mothers, were always proud of their children, whoever they grow out to be.
This movie is indeed memorable and very special. Galing!
2. Slumdog Millionaire
It is really a feel-good movie. Filipinos can relate to the story of the Jamal Malik, who in spite of the hardships of his life and past, still managed to be a good-hearted person. He was just a good young man who just dreamt of seeing again the girl he truly loved.
We would think that his character is too good to be true, as well as the not-so-nice characters there–the actor turned syndicate, the other gang’s boss, etc. But the worst, I think was the show’s host who sent Jamal to jail.
But, at least the policemen/ investigators who questioned Jamal were fair enough to listen to his story and finally believed that he really knew the answers.
It’s just sad that his brother had to be turned into a tough gangster and hurt him by taking his girl away from him. Anyway, blood must really be thicker than water. At the end, his brother amends for his mistakes and sacrificed his life for Jamal. It was worth noting that his brother protected Jamal for the second time.
The movie intends to show us these two faces of life–the happy one and sad one, it really depends on us what we are going to choose to live by. Indeed, in spite of the difficulties, we really have a choice. And we also have the inner strength to surpass any adversities, as long as we do not stop hoping and living. The movie even said that some things are destined to happen, but just the same, I believe it’s all our choice.
I love the plot. The way it was filmed and the past and present of Jamal’s was interconnected was excellent. The idea of getting the clue of the game show answers from one’s life is interesting and unique.
Lastly, I really feel inspired after watching this movie. Who will not be?
3. Caregiver
The film was advertised as something about the overseas workers; about the Filipinos working as caregivers not only in London but also in other parts of the world. However, as I go on watching it, it reveals deeper than that. It is also a poignant story about staying in grace amidst adversities.
It reflects the sentiments of those who choose to sacrifice things that we often overlook most of the times: the comfort of being near with our families and of having a modest and humble job. These are the things that we only take a second look at when they are already lost and out of our hold.
As a mother, Sarah, the lead character, left her son behind to follow her husband abroad. It was like the tragedy, which other mothers face if you have to go to another place to work. That’s why, I can never judge them and I think these mothers were really the bravest of them all–leaving not only their children, but also leaving and breaking a part of their own selves.
The nights of these mothers are fill with that gnawing emptiness, of that hollowness that only the presence of their children can soothes. Sarah somehow fills that void by taking care of a neighbor child and also of her patients.
Dignity was also touched by the movie. It was the tragedy of those who have been educated and have worked their way to the top of their respective careers, and then, have choose to give them up in favor of higher earning but “seemed “dirtier” jobs abroad.
Maybe, what makes the difference here is how big one’s pride is or his humility is. This part of the movie reminded me of the lines from Proverbs: “Man’s pride causes his humiliation but he who is humble of spirit obtains honor.” So, perhaps, dignity and pride are all in the head, it depends on the way a person sees himself and his surroundings.
Sarah’s husband, Ted started flying high but remained barren inside, that gradually, he broke into pieces, not because of the failure to achieve his dreams but because he did not learn to bend himself when he needed to do so.
Another moving scene there was when Sarah overheard the children of Mr. Morgan arguing about her (Sarah’s) intention on being so nice to their father. It was the tragedy of our women (and men) opting to marry foreigners other than love.
That part reminds me that we, Filipinos are still Cinderella’s wishing to be saved by our Prince Charming. Some can argue that mail-to order-brides are already a passé in our society now. However, with our present economic crisis, those women can’t really help not to believe that only convenience marriage could elevate their lives.
The film, as a whole, celebrates being a woman, if not being a person. Sarah, who like an ordinary Filipina wife, submitted to her husband’s demands at the beginning. She thought that it’s what was right and what was expected of her. Being loyal, patient and devoted to our husbands and families are few traits we can really be proud of as Filipinas, but the film has drawn the line.
Its ending was a twist, which I was curious about if critics commented on what it might suggest and how it might affect our families. Sarah gave up on her husband and the last scene there implied that she separated with Ted. All because she, like a butterfly, managed to crawl from her cocoon and was able to start flying.
However, unlike Ted, Sarah was able to humble herself and find joy in her new job. She was able to find a new purpose for her life, much more than being a mere wife and mother. Sarah was empowered to know herself more. She realized that she can do something beautiful to the growth and gain in the lives of other people.
My favorite scene there was when she read the letter from Mr. Morgan. It was a touching letter from a friend who discovered true friendship with her company. And as a return, he reminded Sarah about “being a real person who lives and breathes, not just being a shadow of another person”.
Lastly, we Filipinos may be excellent caregivers, teachers and nurses simply because caring and being spirited is innate in our very beings. I am glad that there is a movie like this to remind us that once in a while, whatever crisis or difficulties our country or our own families face now and then, we always managed to rise up gracefully. Most important, we always do not stop/ hesitate to emaciate that love and care from our hearts, no matter what.
© 2010 M.C. Padilla
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