Some movies are too predictable

I have a confession to make. I am a sucker for love stories. I believe in happy endings. However, when it comes to viewing movies I have a totally different attitude. For instance, I do not always believe in perfect endings. I would prefer movies that leave me thinking afterwards and allow me to make my own conclusion. Tough? Not so.

Some movies are too predictable. There are films, which by their title alone, you easily can tell what kind of a story it has. You do not have to finish the movie to know how it would end.

The film Till there was you falls under this category. It is the story of Gwen and Nick fated to love and marry each other. Both experienced failed relationships in their individual lives, but eventually they lived happily ever after. It is a feel-good movie, you might say, along the line of While you were sleeping, Only You, It could happen to you, etc.

If you go for romantic dramas, this movie might appeal to you. Otherwise you will find the plot too simplistic and the acting a bit corny at times. There are beautiful shots though, which really convey the mood of the scene. Examples are shots of the younger version of Gwen’s parents on the lake. Others are various scenes in the garden of La Fortuna. There is a continuity of shots which shows the relevance of one action to another.

The sub-plots help in the development of the story. At least, they give some twists and turns in what appears to be too uninteresting narrative.

La Fortuna is an old but beautifully designed building which developers wanted demolished so they could build a modern one. Gwen rents one of the flats on this building while Nick is the architect of the modern edifice which the developers wanted built.

One good point worth reflecting on in this film is the subject of preserving the historical value of buildings and places that speak eloquently of a rich and meaningful past. Modernization is always welcome but not to the point of sacrificing places or architecture that has historical value. Gwen is right in saying that there are things in our life that we should not do away with, simply because they connect us with our past. This connection with the past tells us who we are. It gives us our identity.

Another point is coming to terms with our past experiences, albeit painful. Nick had an unhappy childhood because of his irresponsible father. He is able to accept and forgive his father eventually because of the trust he received from Mary, the elderly resident of La Fortuna.

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I was reflecting on how in other countries, environmental causes include the preservation of edifices and places of historical importance. In Australia, for instance, old buildings are being preserved because they speak of history. It is against the law to tear down or renovate a building (even if you are the owner) that has historical value without the approval of city council. That is how strict they are. I wish we could apply the same method here in our country. In that way we will not lose our sense of history and those who follow us will learn to appreciate more deeply the richness of our past.