The Opera Populaire

Watched the Jap movie "Be With You" a few days ago. I must say that Jap movies and dramas usually never disappoint. As you can see, my whole family are Jap media fans. Anyhow, I shan't spoil the enjoyment of those who have yet to catch the movie, except to say that it's a beautiful show. The plot is special indeed and did take you by surprise at the end, while captivating you throughout. I do like romantic movies and dramas, but not when the plot lacks originality or is too sacharine sweet *blech* This movie exceeded all my expectations, or rather the lack of expectations might have helped too.

The female lead is one beautiful woman too. Takeuchi Yuko. Hai...think she's e sort of gal that all guys will drool over...so sweet and demure. Ok, I mean, if I were a guy I would go for her haha. She was e lead actress for "Pride" as well, starring Takuya Kimura. He said in e show that she was like a woman straight out of the feudal times...a very interesting statement. What is a woman from feudal times like? Demure, willing to sacrifice her time and energy waiting on that one man, skilled in womanly arts like housekeeping, spent all her time and energy on her children. Something that was lamented as lacking inS'porean women.

In the light of the recent male bashing, I think that on the other side, guys oso were complaining abt the S'porean women. Well, I think it is all too easy to generalise, either from one's own experiences with the opposite sex or thru the eyes of other ppl. I think generalisation is never fair. I have had my share of not so positive experiences with the opposite sex, though perhaps little by the standards of my female frens. But I think these experiences shd not be the basis of judging all members of the opposite sex. We shd not hate all members of the male species just becos one failed us. I think it's oso impt to try to understand each individual for his/her own worth. If we employ such perspective, perhaps our view of the opposite sex may bec more tolerant in e least. If we each begin by being more proactive in treating e opp sex with respect and concern, I'm sure future interaction and perspectives may be more positive. People are not perfect and we shd not expect them to be. But each of us can make e difference in any relationship by being sincere and treating ppl with love and respect.

Anyhow, I think that the fundamental message of "Be With You" is to love and cherish a person that means a lot to u. Most of the times when that special someone slips away from ur life thru death or other things, u wish passionately for him/ her to come back but some things r impossible to happen. But what happens when God wills a 2nd chance for u? The movie is abt 2nd chances. 2nd chances r beautiful becos u can begin again, in a much better way becos u now know how much that special someone means to u only when he/ she went away. U urself may oso have changed for the better in the loved ones' absence. The movie's simple but meaningful portrayal of cherishing such 2nd chances, however short it may be, touched me immmensely. Even though 2nd chances may not always be possible in real life due to circumstaces, the movie's a must watch!!!!