However, this post will not discuss the film nor the book in depth. It will mention some points from the film, but it is more about the themes I found in the film, not about the film itself. Of course there will be chances of spoilers and what not. Do not read on if you do not want to know what happens before watching the film.
Instead, this post will tell you that as I was walking out from the cinema, I felt kind of numb. What Could He Be Thinking? enabled me to see that Chris Gardner, Will Smith's character, struggled for more than just meeting end's meet and being good to his son. I think his most difficult struggle is keeping his self-worth. It *was* mentioned in the film, as Smith narrated that he felt under appreciated and used because he was the one singled out to get coffee, donuts, and move a car. Also when he blurted out to his son about never to let anyone tell him that cannot do something.
All these struggles, in my opinion, ultimately leads in how Gardner must keep himself up; convincing himself that he is not worthless; finding out his self worth; whether he is being a good father like he wants to be. And the scene in "the cave" showed that he is scared. The door banging kind of confirms his fear that he is so worthless that his son must sleep in that condition.
Had I not read the book, probably I thought the film was just okay.
Another interesting thing is that long after the film ended, around an hour or so, as I walked out the bathroom, I realized the meaning of one of Smith's lines. He said something like "Why did Jefferson word it pursuit of happiness? Maybe he knew that we cannot get happiness and can only pursue it."
What I realized is something as simple as this. Smith really meant "Why not word it simply as happiness? Why add the word pursuit?". Simple point, but once I realize it, it is kind of weird. "Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness". Why not "life, liberty, and happiness"?
Well, the actual reason was more historical than thoughtful. Read it from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life,_liberty_and_the_pursuit_of_happiness
Anyway, for one reason or another, that walking out of the cinema also happened to mark what I hope to be the end of a phase in my personal life. A lot of realizations dawned on me. They are simple and probably cliche, but they feel different when I appreciate their meaning instead of reading them as words:
- Why keep being involved in something not working?
- Why must I be nice to others on my expense?
- If it must be done, why can't I be not nice to another person?
- Why is it that by "not being nice", I think of "being nasty"? Isn't there a neutral ground in the middle?
- Why is it so bad to lose a friend whom I (now realize that I) don't even know?
- Why is it so bad to say "I don't want to do this anymore" and quit?
But then again, maybe I am looking for symbols so I see them everywhere.
Ah, one final thing: if you enjoy watching animations, do see Howl's Moving Castle. The story is weird, but the animation fully redeems it. I do admit that some characters (especially Howl himself) change look now and then, probably due to different animators' work; but the scenery animation and blending of 2D and 3D animations are... simply amazing.
(Edited on 5 March 2015)
Didn't realize there was a blending of 2D and 3D animations in Howl's. =O You're always the one with the eyes for these things ya.. =D
ReplyDeleteIt's an insightful point you offered about the self-worth part. Didn't realize it before. Don't know if I'll read the book (you have it? or library?) since I haven't been reading much (in that aspect) these days.. =P
Do you mean the book "What Could He Be Thinking"?
ReplyDeleteThe National Library has it. Look for it at the nearest branch :)
I found it at Bukit Batok Community Library. I'm reading quite a number of "self help" books these days :p