Introduction Phase/Interlude
(You can skip this part, not really that important; just want to set the mood. lol.)
So, there I was lying on bed at 5:00 pm. I had work last night from 2:00 am until 11:00 am. (was it last night or yesterday? Crap. It's really hard to remember time and dates if you are on a graveyard shift.) One thing’s for sure though; I should have been asleep at around 1 pm to get some energy for another working shift but my body was not cooperative. I have this tendency to spend at least an hour jut lying down and thinking of whatever goes into my mind before I actually fall to asleep. There are some days that I couldn't sleep at all even if I badly want to; today was one of them.
When my younger brother, Ivan arrived from school, he immediately asked me to eat. I told him that we'll go to McDonalds for him to get his haircut in the nearby salon afterwards. But the moment we're ready to go, it was already past 6pm. (Wow, time really flies fast. Is this also an effect of global warming? lol.) We then decided to change plans. Since I need to sleep but I can't, I thought perhaps going to the cinemas might help. Never mind the sound and the noise from the big screen; for me, the cozy atmosphere and the dim-lighted room makes up for it. I was also planning to watch The Vow so I thought it might as well be today.
So off to Robinsons we went. At first we take out 4 slices of pizzas and this noodle thing'' Ivan found (the noodle was freshly cooked with spices, and all. the smell was enticing.)
The cinema room where the movie was played had quite a few people. Mostly by pairs. This is a couple's movie after all. But I don't care; I like these kinds of movies. I don't know about my younger brother but it appears like he also learned to love such kind of movies after I've urged him to watch My Sassy Girl. I can still remember how he tried to hide his tears while watching that movie. But in the end, he just can't keep it and tears flowed. hahaha. I teased him about that from time to time.
Realization
(Now here’s the part where I discuss what I thought about the movie. Hehe)
At first, I really thought that The Movie will have a story similar to The Notebook since it has Rachel McAdams on it. Perhaps a combination of The Notebook and Dear John having Channing Tatum as the leading man. But The Vow was special in its own unique way.
Paige (Rachel McAdam's character, is brave lady). I admire her courage and openness. It's difficult to wake up one day and not to remember what you have done for the past few years and who you have become. The way that she cooperates with Leo, how she says yes to all of those weird things she never thought she used to do with her husband was cool. I can't blame her if she has some mood swings because anyone in her shoes will really have a tough time figuring this out. But overall she displayed strength, confidence and positive attitude.
Leo (Channing Tatum’s character) is a good guy. I was moved with the way how he desperately thinks of ways on how to get his wife's memory back but calmly acts while on Paige's presence. That calm, cool, and charming demeanor is special. I can't imagine any other man having the same attitude in real life (well, except me.. hahaha) It made me smile knowing the fact that the movie was based on a real life. It means that genuine love still exists. “If there's one thing that will never be extinct here on Earth, then that would be LOVE for even the word EVOLution has LOVE on it." - By the way that's one of my own quotes (source: http://christianrduran.blogspot.com/search/label/Personal%20Quotes number 34. Hahaha) and it Leo certainly lives up to that phrase.
I thought of comparing the way I tried to win my ex back to the situation Leo faced but on a deeper analysis, having your wife fall in love with you again the way Paige's love involuntarily faded, is way too much tougher than what I have gone through. To be the odd man and be out of place in every occasion is quite embarrassing. Having your wife's family not on your side and haven’t meet you before in the first place is completely awkward. Having your wife's ex fiancé sticking around poses further complications and heartaches. But Leo took those challenges in.
The fact that he hasn't told Paige about what Paige's father did showed mind control over emotions and deep sense of maturity. How he handled all hose pain is so admirable. (aw, by the way, check the part where Leo tickled Paige as what Leo’s friend advised, and see his reaction afterwards.)
We often hear the cliché phrase, “If you love someone, you got to set him/her free. "Leo’s case is a perfect example of that situation. He signed the divorce paper not because he doesn't love Paige anymore. It’s the complete opposite. Letting Paige figure things out all by herself.
Giving her the time and space she needs is like suicide. What if Paige will choose to stick to her old life and will ultimately forget everything or choose to forget everything beyond what she can recall for that matter? What Leo did was such a risky move because of love. It seemingly fits that Leo was singing along the song “I will do anything for love “at the first part of the movie and of course it seemingly fits why the movie has The Vow as its title in the first place.
"You have figured things out before, you can do it again.” I love the way how Leo delivered that line. You can definitely feel the sincerity, pain and love behind those words.
Overall, I was happy i did not sleep for the last 24 hours and watched The Vow. I don't want to spoil all the movie's details. You must figure it yourself. hahaha. But as I said, the movie is special. The idea that it was inspired by a real story makes it more heart-warming.
P.S. I can't find the exact monologue Leo delivered during the course of the movie. It was something about “Moments of Impact." You should listen to it carefully for you to learn some heartfelt thoughts. Also, during the end of the movie, check out what happened to the real life couple where the story was based. ;-)
