Daily Lessons from Life 01 January 2013 - Les Miserables

1st day of 2013 went off to a wonderful start as the family went to watch the film adaptation of an established musical of French origin: Les Miserables at the movie theatre morning show.

I have heard, and watched I believed, the musical before. It did not leave a very deep impression with me then. Perhaps I was just too focused on the French-ness and maybe I was not very good in listening to the lyrics of the music and songs, or maybe I was simply too far away from the actors and actresses who were trying their professional best to act the parts and draw me in.

ALL I can say about this film adaptation is: One of the most moving movies I had watched and experienced! Awesome. A Knockout really!

Lessons for me are:

1. each scene is powerful. Close up and personal vs. the experience at the live theatre. Since I am not a singing student or exponent, I find the singing very good. The words are clear and I can understand what the songs are about. It makes the connections easier. With the connection, the experience is much deeper!;

2. the story about many oppressed and under-privileged people living miserably under a King that does not really care the pains, poverty, suffering and deprivation leading to some idealistic students and young people wanting change appeals to me. Throw in a powerful story of a relatively innocent bread thief how had to serve 19-year of his 20-year jail/slave-labour sentence turning good and having to take care of some one's daughter till she met her prince charming in a love-at-first-sight involved in plotting a revolution against the unfeeling King makes the movie so fascinating to watch.

My family were crying and tearing like nobody business. Honestly. It is a magical, dare I say, moment. We realized then we are all kind hearted, feeling and loving people. Much as we are TOUGH when need be in life and at work. We are, deep down, sensitive people that will root for the heroic acts of simple people, cry for and with them when their lives came to a cruel and abrupt end or love unfulfilled or torn between duties and righteousness. Never HAD I cried so much watching a movie. I am human. What a relief to learn of that!;

3. this movie tells me that: when we thought we knew something from the past. Have heard and seen them before. YET, when a different version unveiled itself, when we take it in without any past baggage, any pre-conceived idea, we can find new insights, new enjoyment, new learning and new experiences.

I READ a few critiques on the New York Times right after watching this movie and found many diverse views. Most are praising the movies. On how they were touched and moved. Some were critical about the technical bits. The singing by the non-professional singing actors and actresses. About the camera angles, etc. This teaches me another thing, how much we relate depends on what is our perspectives. Is there a truly GOOD or BAD review? Or it is just an expression of some one's perspective!

I guessed this is the beauty as well as the cure of people involved in artistic expression. No easy measurement. OR do they need any measurement as long as they are expressing themselves and NOT go hungry. Or they do have to mind the ticket sales, the no. of awards they get, etc. Whichever way it may be, the artists have to decide for themselves which route will make them Happy, Healthy, Prosperous (not only in the material sense) and purposeful!

WELCOME to 2013!!!! Enjoy it ...