Forget Paris (1995)

Forget Paris depicts a very well crafted plot that makes a perfect blend of a fairy tale love story that however comes along with the realistic depiction of how relationships are like in reality. Mickey and Ellen's love story started off as the ideal concept of falling in love as they fell in love and made memories in one of the most romantic cities where everything seemed beautiful and all too fairy tale like in the name of love. Love seemingly swept them off their feet in a short period of time during Mickey's short stay in Paris, however, they eventually had to come down to earth and return to their own issues and lives to deal with, and things eventually took a turn.

The couple soon started to realize the amount of obstacles that are preventing them from having the love they imagine, and this is where the real challenges comes to light that inevitably puts the strength of a relationship to a difficult test. It is also a phase in relationships where most people would choose to avoid, and ultimately giving it up as we are often more interested in the good parts alongside reliving the rewarding feeling of being 'high' in love, but never the ugly sides of it.

However, no amount of 'highs' from being in love would last to survive the long haul of relationships.

One profound lesson I learned from this movie, is that falling in love is easy, but staying in love on the hand, always falls back down to a choice. It is about making a choice that stems from sheer commitment and courage to make, which adds to the essence of a growing relationship that will be more rewarding on the long run as nothing good comes easy without effort. Through the struggles and trials that comes in hand with relationships, we are given a platform to gradualyly discover more about ourselves and our partner, and ultimately, the right way to love and finding the best foundation to sustain a healthy and loving relationship.

***

Another aspect about this movie which I also found particularly helpful on the qualities of a strong relationship, is the importance of giving space and freedom for your partner to reside in their own individuality and be who they are. Most people are often inclined to change their partner accordingly to fit their preferred standards and needs, which in this case, Ellen notably tried to encourage Mickey to quit his job because she wanted him to spend more time with her but did not consider the importance of his job to him. Mickey on the other hand, exerted a crucial trait in a relationship which I found admirable, which is the ability to sacrifice what he truly loves in order to make the woman he loves happy, but at a cost of feeling miserable on the other end. This goes to show that sometimes it does not just take one party to sacrifice and settle for the other but rather working together as a team to fulfill each other's needs as it can potentially breed resentment and negativity which may disrupt the dynamic of the relationship.

We often tend to forget that the person we fall in love with is a person of a different background that comes with their own form of individuality to offer, which also actually makes the person we choose to fall for in the first place. Hence having able to find a middle ground to compromise in regards to allowing your partner to be at their best alongside feeling happy in a relationship is vital and important to consider. I would believe a healthy relationship is a relationship in which it allows an adequate amount of space for both partners to evolve and grow into better individuals. This is because a love that is alive is a love that is constantly evolving. It may be fulfilling to always go back to the past and reside in the things that started off as a fairy tale as things were seemingly better. However, sometimes, as the title goes, "forget Paris", for it is more realistic to focus on the present and continue working on the best possible aspects to keep a relationship alive alongside keeping in mind the root of the relationship from how it started off which makes a perfect balance to sustain a strong relationship.    

Strictly Ballroom (1992)

The major themes I found particularly insightful to ponder on from this film is the concept of conformity and courage revolving around a soaring champion ballroom dancer, Scott, who refuses to adhere to the typical rules laid out for ballroom dancing and believes in his own choreography towards winning the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix Dancing Championship.

Fran's character, stood out to me more compared to the main lead Scott, as I think Fran was the root to Scott's ability to break free from the ballroom dance rule norm and gained the freedom to express due to Fran's encouragement. I found her character particularly inspiring in the sense that she was courageous enough to step her foot forward and believes in what she wants, and was not intimidated or discouraged by where she was coming from, which in this case, the beginner's level. Her determination was one admirable and crucial trait to have in living the life we want for ourselves which includes the dreams we aspire to achieve without having anyone taking control and discouraging our ability to strive for what we really want. Furthermore, Scott would not have been able to carry his own style into the ballroom dance picture if it weren't for Fran's courage towards asking him to be his dancing partner.

I also enjoyed the development of both the characters towards stepping forward in what they believe, and the relationship they eventually established and share. It depicts an ideal relationship where love comes from bringing out the best in the other, and both of them has indeed successfully managed to bring out the best in one another alongside opening each of their horizons towards discovering their fullest potential and talent.

It it often easier to conform to what other people tell us to do, because it is seemingly safer to be doing what everyone else does, and being different on the other hand, is scary as it brings uncertainty and doubt that makes us feel uncomfortable. Hence we are often more inclined to stay within our comfort zone that adheres to rules that may be unpleasant to follow, but keeps us away from trouble.. However, if we were to adopt Fran's perseverance and courage to believe in what you can achieve, life would be in fact more worth living as it is a life you take full control of by determining what you want.

Awakenings (1990)

A heartbreaking film with a realistic breakthrough in the world of psychiatric patients which took me on a journey of experiencing the raw struggles of catatonic patients being asleep for decades through the eyes of Dr. Malcolm Sayer.

This film has given me an extremely emotional mind-altering perspective on how psychiatric patients are in actual fact human beings like us who are of equal rights to experience and live life like a normal human being, but are unfortunately not given the privilege to do so due to a tragic brain disease. 

****

Biggest take home message Leonard's character has instilled in me on the fragility of life is the fact that most of us are often more caught up with unpleasant things because it brings little or no comfort to us. I find myself ruminating in issues that are in fact solvable within my faculties as compared to Leonardo who is binded by a disease that has robbed him of his ability to live like a normal person, which he did not choose to have.

" They need to be reminded of what they have and what they can lose. What I feel is the joy of life, the gift of life, the freedom of life, the wonderment of life. - Leonard "

It is true.

The very essence of how life truly works, lies in our ability to perform within our faculties, and in this case we all hold a very powerful thing to possess, which is the mind. However, we do not often value what comes from our main power house that controls what we do in an automatic manner, that we take it for granted all the time because it requires little to no amount of effort at all to perform this tasks, and that we are given the freedom to move around and live however we like in the power of our own hands, which is of one luxurious gift to possess for these patients who has "lost" their main power house, and is unfortunately seen as a "hopeless living corpse" in a society that thrives on the idea of survival of the fittest. 

** Time and life holds no absolute answer to what may happen to us to in the future, and it is sometimes scary to think that we are capable of losing the little things in life we often do not take the time to value. It is unfortunate to think that we often only learn things the hard way that knocks us off in a painful wake up call. This film has taught me to appreciate the little things that comes with life and to shower greater care and love to the people I care most and also to the people in need. Furthermore the movie has greater affirm the idea that love is in fact powerful and can go a long way to bring a significant and beneficial change to a person's well being, what more towards the people who greatly needs it.

These patients may be disregarded as hopeless individuals in society for their failing faculties are no longer beneficial, but they are alive and are still equally deserving of love, care and support, or in fact more, from the people around them. 

As the saying by Dr, Sayer goes,

" The human spirit is more powerful than any drug, and that is what needs to be nourished. "

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Young Toto

          Cinema Paradiso is a film of bittersweet essence highlighting main themes such as friendship, love and nostalgia which revolves in the story of Toto, an avid film lover. What really stood out to me from the main character, Toto was his immense passion demonstrated through his love for film and it was very much inspiring to see in regards to my own passion towards music. I was also able to connect with Alfredo’s character, Toto's best friend and mentor, where he explained that his job was worth the pleasure and happiness he gained from watching people enjoying the films he resiliently projects as a projector despite the hard work and heavy responsibilities he had to carry. In this case, it demonstrated my exact sentiment on wanting to fulfill my passion for it is one pleasurable feeling to be able to make people happy through what you love doing, and I stand with Alfredo's passion in his job derived of his goal by making others happy. On the other hand, I would say I am a person who is often easily discouraged on the challenges arising from my goals, but Toto had me connected through his courage and resilience to go for what he loves doing despite being discouraged by his mentor Alfredo of the rough challenges ahead as a film projectionist, which was indeed eye opening and inspiring. 

          Another remarkable takeaway from this movie was how it demonstrated the strong dynamic of Toto and Alfredo’s s friendship that depicts how shared passion can bring people closer, which fostered a kind of bond that was incredibly special and moving. 

Alfredo's character brought great significance to Toto's life, and this movie has no doubt successfully pulled myself in through the journey of their budding friendship along the years, not to mention highlighting Alfredo's heartfelt care and love for Toto and his future. Alfredo to me was also seen as a vital father figure role which Toto could not gain from his biological father who perished in war. Toto became who he is and went for his dreams because of Alfredo's insistence to pursue what he truly loves.

He guided Toto to be the kind of man possessing qualities that are vital to survive in the real world with courage, but at a cost of leaving everything behind, which was painfully and reasonably realistic to engage.

          What I did not quite like about the story though was that it did not explain proper closure between Toto and his first love. It gave me an unpleasant sense of emptiness from the main character who was still stuck in the ghost of his past with his first love. 

          However, it explains the reality of how some relationships fail and not all would follow through a fairy tale happy ending which is realistically relevant to ponder on. Furthermore, Toto’s loss on his first love has given me an insight on how we may not own the privilege to have everything we want come true in life as circumstances prevail, there are things one will have to unwillingly give up and that depicts the reality of life we often have to accept. 

          Main characters aside, the minor characters portrayed was also interestingly well put together to enhance the essence of nostalgia delivered along the timeline that went by in the film. Among the theater goers, we have a man that can not get over his habit of spitting on the theater floor, a couple that fell in love across their seats, and the booming laughter coming from the children which ultimately signified and delivered special memories that can only be attached to this place, and hence enhancing the nostalgic part of this film as these moments will inevitably be turned into remains of the past when time goes by. I personally like how remarkable this film was able to highlight the significance of the minor characters as well which has successfully added greater depth to the meaning behind this theater that was once full of life.

Abandoned Cinema Paradiso

          And finally moving on to the final scene which to me was perfectly nailed in executing the 'tugging at one's heartstrings' effect through the revelation of Alfredo's legacy and had me almost choking in my own tears. A series of kissing montage was left behind for Toto and I love how this montage has demonstrated greater meaning to the bond both Toto and Alfredo have shared along his childhood years through adulthood, and that being said it was the perfect ending that highlighted their admirable bond through one thing, which was their love for film.

          In a nutshell, one of the biggest takeaway and impact I had from this movie was the will on pursuing what you truly want and that involves immense courage and strength to believe in order to take a leap towards your dream.