AWAKENINGS

     This is a movie based on a novel written by Dr Oliver Sacks acted by two legendary actor Robbin Williams as Dr Malcolm Sayer and Robert De Niro  Leonard Lowe. In my opinion this movie really have taught me the value of life because there are a lot of people who are catatonic. They are actually unable to lead a normal life as a normal human beings due to immobility and they are dependent on others for everything. So, I realised that when we have the capability to fulfil our need without depending on others but we still complain on small matters that bothers us. Watching this movie made me to have the sense of gratitude towards everything I have.

     Two main characters in this story which are Dr Sayer and Leonard Lowe. The relationship both of them portrayed towards each other was more than a relationship between a doctor and a patient. 

     Another part which was very inspiring was Dr Sayer’s dedication and high motivation towards helping the patients who have been catatonic for long period of time. Dr Sayer also tried to talk to another doctor to actually try to administer a drug called L-Dopa which makes the patient’s condition better. Here I could relate McClelland Learned Needs Theory here to Dr Sayer’s passion towards his job. Need for achievements can be clearly see in Dr Sayer’s character which he has a strong need to set and accomplish challenging goals. Takes calculated risks to accomplish their goals. Dr Sayer took risk when he administers high amount of L-Dopa for Leonard without other doctors knowing. Likes to receive regular feedback on their progress and achievements as we can see from the movie where he waits for the feedbacks from the nurses and fellow doctors. He also often likes to work alone and he do not really mixes with anybody else and even when Eleanor a nurse from the same department as Dr Sayer asked for coffee out and Dr Sayer actually did not go.

In another prospect we can see Leonard’s character after he regained mobility. Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory can be linked to Leonard. Physiological needs and Love and belonging when Leonard fell in love with a young lady who takes care of her father who are in the same hospital. This clearly shows that Leonard tried to fulfil his physiological and love and belonging needs. Next, we can see esteem needs where Leonard tries to be rebellious because he was not treated as a normal person who are able to walk around freely he feels that he was not given respect and not valued by others. This shows that Leonard had inferiority complex in him and he even fought with Dr Sayer who actually gave him a second chance after 30 years to live and feel a normal life again. Leonard also made others in the same detention ward to be rebellious and created an issue. These incidents clearly shows the need of freedom and independence in Leonard.

     The highlight in this movie I found interesting was when all the patients who got up after being administered with the medication. They started to live and enjoy their life as a normal human beings. This will ensure us to value every small fun elements in our life and enjoy every moment with GRATITUDE. In the ending of the movie Dr Sayer also started to value Eleanor’s love towards him.

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Cinema Paradiso (1988)

     Cinema Paradiso is an Italian drama movie written and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The film also bagged several awards including an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. This is a film which could be close to the heart for people who had a guider or role model other than their own family members. This can be clearly seen in this movie. The relationship between Salvatore @ Toto  and Alfredo who shares a bond beyond father and son bond even they are not related biologically. Besides that, little Toto even endangered his life and saved Alfredo in the fire accident occurred in the cinema. Where Alfredo saved Toto from being punished by his mother for not buying milk and used the money given to watch movie. These small events actually clearly indicated the relationship both of them actually having. Alfredo is almost a father figure to Toto, whereas Alfredo actually sees Toto as a son. 

     This movie clearly display one of stages in our life which is Generativity Vs Stagnation by Erik Erikson. This can be clearly seen when Alfredo always wanted Toto to succeed in life and never wanted Toto to end up either in theatre or the village. There are several scenes and incidents depicts these. First can be seen when Alfredo always prevents Salvatore @ Toto from entering the projection room even he knows that little Toto has passion towards movies. But when Toto really insisted to learn how to handle the projector. Alfredo taught him to handle it. Alfredo always wanted Toto to achieve a better place in his life. To an important extent Alfredo did even stopped Elena from meeting Toto so that Toto would leave the village to pursue his dream towards movie making and made Toto to hold on a promise that he will not return back to the village and if he would Alfredo never will meet him. This actually will be a reason Salvatore to be a successful filmmaker. Alfredo actually knew that if  Toto stayed in the village to pursue his love with Elena there will be no opportunity for Toto to work towards his film dream. This absolutely will be an out most example to portray if  person who are in the 7th stage of Erik Erikson's  psychosocial stage which is "Generativity vs Stagnation". Alfredo actually played an important role in producing a talented filmmaker to the society.

     Furthermore, the bond between Toto and Alfredo also shows a secure attachment. Other than the incident where Toto saved Alfredo from a fire accident where Alfredo lost his eyesight. To take such a move a person need a lot of courage but the highlight will be a little boy doing it. This clearly explains the attachment both of them sharing. Another incident we can realise the attachment will be when Toto obeyed to Alfredo's advise not to come back to the village. It takes a big amount of trust for a person to follow a person's advise. Moreover, Toto even left his mother and sister in the village and obeyed to Alfredo's advise.
    
     In a nutshell, this movie actually a movie could make a person to realise that not only biological relationship could play an essential role in a person's life and success. In one word Cinema Paradiso is simply mesmerising.