The Vow (2012)

Director: Michael Sucsy (1)

Cast: Channing Tatum (2), Rachel McAdams (3), Sam Neil (4), Jessica Lange (5), Scott Speedman (6)

(Watch the trailer)

My favourite quote - 
"I chose to stay with him for all the things that he had done right, and not to leave him for the one thing that he had done wrong. I chose to forgive him" and "You accepted me for who I am, and not for what you wanted me to be"

Just a week ago, my uncle whom I am pretty close to had just gotten married. And it got me thinking about marriage and having someone special to go home to. And when they were saying their vows, I was wondering if I would one day find someone special to say those marriage vows to. And that if and when I am getting married, I would write my own vows, unique to me and my partner and say those vows with God and my family and friends as witness. In the film, I really enjoyed the unique vows said by Leo and Paige played by Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. 

Paige: I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not, and to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home. 

Leo: I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love. I vow to love you, and no matter what challenges might carry us apart, we will always find a way back to each other. 

Wedding vows are not to be taken lightly. When you say your "I dos" you are promising to love that person, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, till death do you part. The Vow is about this very promise between a man and a woman. Not everyone gets put to the test in the same manner as the characters in the film. And of course we hope people don't have to ever go through this. But if they do, or if I do in the future face a situation like this, I hope that I will be able to get through it like these characters have. 

The quote that affected me the most in this film was uttered by Paige Collins' mother played by Jessica Lange. If it happened to me, would I be able to forgive my husband for cheating on me? Would I be able to look past his one discretion and stay with him? I don't know if I can or will. And I do hope I will never have to face such a dilemma. But, I do believe that that quote, is what a marriage is about. You will have tough times, you might make each other angry or do things that hurt your partner, but the important thing is that you have promised to keep trying and working on the marriage no matter what happens. 

The other quote that struck me deeply was said by Rachel McAdams' Paige Collins - "You accepted me for who I am, and not who you wanted me to be". That is what a marriage partnership is about as well. No one is perfect, but you might be that perfect someone for one other imperfect person. I am who I am. And one day, I might meet someone who accepts me for who I am, and will compliment me the same way I compliment him. 

You know how jigsaw puzzle pieces need to fit perfectly to form the picture. I think that is how I see relationships. The jigsaw piece is made just the way it is, and if you have to force a piece to fit with another, the end result is not the way its supposed to be. If its meant to be, its meant to be isn't it?

50 First Dates (2004)

Director: Peter Segal (1)

Cast: Drew Barrymore (2), Adam Sandler (3). Rob Schneider (4), Sean Astin (5), Dan Aykryod (6), Blake Clark (7)

My favourite quote - "You erased me from your memories because you thought you were holding me back from having a full and happy life. But you made a mistake. Being with you is the only way I could have a full and happy life. You're the girl of my dreams, and apparently I'm the man of yours."


(Watch the trailer)

The first time I watched 50 First Dates I.... I.... (sigh) I can't remember how I felt about 50 First Dates, the first time I watched it. But I think I liked it. Cos I bought the DVD and then the blu ray when it was released. So I must have liked it. Its like that isn't it. Sometimes, the first time is special. And sometimes its just so-so. Its sad though. That we don't treasure every moment that we have. Or that sometimes, we don't live life like its the first time. Children are so innocent and inquisitive because they relish every moment and every thing that happens to them simply because it is the first time they experience it. If we approach every day of our lives like its a new day, with new possibilities, a day of many firsts so to speak, maybe we'd be happier and more appreciative of everything around us.

What if we were Lucy? That each day we'd have a brand new day with no memory of what happened the day before. It doesn't matter if an illness like this actually exists or not. Suspend your logical mind and believe that something like this could happen in real life. You will enjoy this movie if you do.

I cried a little when re-watching this film. I was really touched by the efforts of Adam Sandler's Henry and saddened by the situation and circumstance of Drew Barrymore's Lucy. I think the film also teaches you to be grateful for what you have in your life. No matter how bad your life seems to be right now, there's always someone out there who is either experiencing the same thing as you or there's someone who could be worse off that you (read: 10 second Tom). Ignorance is bliss - maybe. But I agree with Dawna Markova:

“I will not die an unlived life. 

I will not live in fear 

of falling or catching fire. 

I choose to inhabit my days, 

to allow my living to open me, 

to make me less afraid, 

more accessible; 

to loosen my heart 

until it becomes a wing, 

a torch, a promise. 

I choose to risk my significance, 

to live so that which came to me as seed 

goes to the next as blossom, 

and that which came to me as blossom, 

goes on as fruit.” 

― Dawna Markova, I Will Not Die an Unlived Life: Reclaiming Purpose and Passion

I'd rather experience life to the fullest with all its good and bad, than to live an unlived life. If I were to become like Lucy, I hope that I would know the truth, and to learn to try and cope with it. Rather than to be at a standstill at that point in life. But that's just me. Perhaps some people would think that Lucy's dad and brother, wonderfully played by Sean Astin and Blake Clark, is doing the right thing by re-enacting each day to save her from the hurt and pain of having to remember what she's lost. But to each his own right.

The comedy in 50 First Dates sometimes come across as 'trying too hard' but overall I really loved the film and I laughed out loud, very loudly might I add, at many parts of the film. Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler's on-screen chemistry is not the best pairing of hers I've ever seen, but they made it believable. I should watch The Wedding Singer to check out their on-screen chemistry there. Nonetheless, I believed they fell in love and they did make me fall in love with their story, and the film. And even though Dan Aykroyd's part in the file is very small, he hit all the right notes in my books. Roy Schneider's Ula was rather annoying and over the top, but he did contribute to the comedy I enjoyed in the film. I may not have enjoyed all his antics, but I have to concede that he is a fantastic actor!

(1) Director Peter Segal has directed films like Anger Management (2003), The Longest Yard (2005) and Get Smart (2008)

(2) Drew Barrymore has acted in films like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Firestarter (1984), Poison Ivy (1992), Batman Forever (1995), Scream (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), Ever After (1998), Never Been Kissed (1999), Charlie's Angels (2000), Donnie Darko (2001), Riding In Cars With Boys (2001), Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (2002), Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Duplex (2003), Fever Pitch (2005), Music And Lyrics (2007), Lucky You (2007), He's Just Not That Into You (2009), Whip It (2009), Going The Distance (2010) and Big Miracle (2012). She also did voice work on the animations Titan A.E. (2000), Curious George (2006).

(3) Adam Sandler has acted in films like Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), The Waterboy (1998), Big Daddy (1999), Little Nicky (2000), The Hot Chick (2002), Anger Management (2003),  The Longest Yard (2005), Click (2006), I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry (2007), Bedtime Stories (2008), Funny People (2009), Grown Ups (2010), Just Go With It (2011), and was a voice actor in movies like Zookeeper (2011) and Hotel Transylvania (2012).

(4) Rob Schneider has acted in films like Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), The Waterboy (1998), Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), Big Daddy (1999), Little Nicky (2000), The Hot Chick (2002), Around the World in 80 Days (2004), The Longest Yard (2005), Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo (2005), Click (2006), I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry (2007), Bedtime Stories (2008) and  Grown Ups (2010)

(5) Sean Astin has acted in films like The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) and Click (2006)

(6) Dan Aykryod has acted in films like Ghostbusters (1984), Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Ghostbusters 2 (1989), My Girl (1991), Mr Girl 2 (1994), Casper (1995), Pearl Harbor (2001), Crossroads (2002), I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry (2007) and was the voice of Yogi Bear, in the film Yogi Bear (2010). 

(7) Blake Clark has acted in films like The Waterboy (1998), Little Nicky (2000), Intolerable Cruelty (2003), I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry (2007), Get Smart (2008), Bedtime Stories (2008), Grown Ups (2010) and was a voice actor in the film Rango (2011).

The Eclectic Reviewer thinks… 50 First Dates, is a feel-good movie with a great cast, a great story, and a message that everyone should truly reflect upon. Ask yourself, do you appreciate every little detail in your life? Good or bad? This film will remind you to stop and really, REALLY, smell the pineapple. (4.5 of 5)

* Movie Poster from Wikipedia

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