People in Movies Don’t Play For Keeps
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Why is it that the lives of people in movies seem to be so much more interesting than ours? There are many reasons: people in movies don’t watch TV, movies don’t show them doing their everyday chores such as cleaning the house or washing dishes, and in general, the boring parts are removed at the cutting board.
But none of these is the real reason.
The real reason, I believe, is that people in movies are 100% devoted to what they do.
Can you imagine a scene in Die Hard (any of the four) where after a few rounds of fire, John McClane stops, puts on his coat and walks away, giving up on his mission?
I didn’t think you could. That’s not how John McClane operates. No matter how hard it hurts, he goes on. He doesn’t worry about his career, reputation as a police officer, or even his health, when he’s fighting to save innocent lives.
He goes on, because he is completely devoted to what he’s doing. He believes in what he does.
One of my all time favorite movies (I know most people wouldn’t agree with me on this) is Jerry McGuire. I know nothing about sports, so the setting for the movie couldn’t be further from my normal circles. But there’s something special about Jerry’s character.
He’s the John McClane of the business world.
His life crumbling to pieces around him he goes on because he has a dream. He believes in treating his customers right, and giving them a special place in his life. Just like John, Jerry stands up and takes the step to uncertainty. He doesn’t stay in his cubicle dreaming about a better life, he takes the risk and starts living it.
In a whole different movie genre we have Finding Nemo, where nothing can stop the brave little fish from swimming through the ocean.
Why?
Because he loves his son and wants to rescue him no matter what. He just can’t stay home and wait. He takes the risks needed, and gets in a big adventure. A big adventure in which he risks his life, but for a good purpose.
Do you see a pattern here?
Devotion leads to adventures. Adventures lead to interesting stories. And learning.
Without devotion and doing things wholeheartedly, nothing interesting can happen.
So, let me ask you this question: Are you playing it safe, or do you truly live to your fullest potential? If someone made a movie about you, would it be an interesting one?
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November 9th, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Living on the fullest means that you have to push new bulges in your comfort zone. This might mean taking risks, leaving easy life behind and so on.
There will be setbacks but also great moments. And that beats having stable, cozy and brain dead life. Besides, nobody would make a movie featuring a person working 8h in a boring job, going home in a boring bus and spending boring time in front of the TV.
My life would not qualify for the big screen but I guess it would do okay as DVD release :-)
November 10th, 2007 at 4:49 am
“Just keep swimming, just keep swimming….”
Dory’s advice is good, and it leads to that moving scene where all of the fish captured in the net work together to escape.
Loved your post!
November 11th, 2007 at 10:32 am
I once asked Tom, a past business mentor why small business has such a high failure rate.
“They lost their focus”
That was his answer. Most people allow all the urgent things in life to distract them from those things that are most import, both in business as well as in family, fitness …
You are so right - despite all the opportunity for distractions, Marlin, Jerry & John keep focused on that which mattered most.
This was a great article.
November 11th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Pepez: You’re right! Living to your fullest can be scary at times (see the latest blog post at IttyBiz for more on this topic) but definitely worth it.
A DVD release sounds great, there are plenty of good movies that only make it to DVD :)
Bob: That’s a great scene! Thanks for reminding me of it. This actually reminds me that I should watch the movie again… It’s been a while since the last time.
Shane: Those are some wise words. And I guess the other problem that comes before losing your focus is that it can easily happen that you never even find your focus…
Thanks for your comments, guys!
November 12th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Agreed. I have this sentence on my office wall: “Only the paranoid survive.” I believe it can be interpreted also as “stay as focused as you possibly can”.
I want to make this life worth a movie. Though some days seem like I’m just sitting behind my computer, I’m actually taking over the world.
November 13th, 2007 at 11:09 am
C2162: You definitely are taking over the world! Just keep working :)
But about that sentence of yours: while you might be right, I think it’s a rather pessimistic view of the world. I like the more open and approachable way of thinking that you have to trust people, be as open to them as you dare (and a bit more) - basically the opposite of paranoid.
Stay focused, yes. But be paranoid, I think, no.
November 15th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
Fantastic entry, Jarkko. As a movie fanatic I completely agree that the dedication of the character directly correlates to the interestingness of the movie and the storyline.
If you haven’t seen it yet, try watching The 3:10 To Yuma. Christian Bale’s character’s dedication is incredible. Cheers.
November 16th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Thanks, Ravi! I haven’t seen that movie yet, have to check it out some time.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Great post and great Jerry Maguire reference. Movies have a way of releasing their characters from consequences, stripping everything away for the people on the screen … something that can be much harder for us real life characters, who let ourselves be weighted down with second guessing and self-doubt.
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:32 am
Thanks, Margie! Second guessing and self doubt sure are some of the biggest enemies for a “movie-worthy” life. Have a great Thanksgiving!