The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

June 28th, 2009

Yes, I cried.

I always end up crying with these tear-jerkers. It annoys me because it gives me headaches. But I cannot push the stop button either, that’s out of the question. Just like with really bad movies (the – ahem – Spirit). How else would I be allowed to say that I have seen the movie if I actually haven’t seen the whole thing? So if I start then I finish.

It wasn’t even in the end when he closed his eyes that I cried. It was during the first five minutes of the movie that I felt the salty fuckers. I feel like I’ve disappointed myself by letting it get to me. Why?

I loved one particular phrase from the movie.

“Our lives are defined by opportunities. Even the ones we miss.”

I happen to think the same way. I know which opportunities have defined my life. The ones I have taken advantage of and the ones I have missed. These opportunities have always presented themselves to me in a by-the-way manner and I have never treated them as if they were special. They come and go and help shape my life, suggesting directions unknown to me. But I always did have a healthy curiosity and so I go along with the opportunities if I see that they might take me somewhere.

I had the opportunity to see this movie. It took me somewhere. To this right here:

Although I love the thought of myself being above tear-jerkers, I have to say that I am not. And why would I need to say something like that? Should I want to be above them? Should I be somehow ashamed of my willingness to get lost in make-belief? Should I blush at the thought of my humanity?

The truth is, I love human emotions. They give color to our existence. And whatever the mediator that brings me closer to each depth of myself, in the end I am glad it did. Simulation and role-play through the simple act of watching a movie and getting lost in it can contribute a lot to our knowledge of ourselves.

I want to know myself. I want to experience myself. And watching a movie is a pretty good starting point for that.

Entry Filed under: TV/Film