Aspirations

Seen at WORDPLAYER, Ted & Terry's (screenwriters of Pirates of the Caribbean) forum. Just thought it was pretty and pithy.

Messages Lost in the Questions

Posted by Jacqui on Saturday, 2 June 2007, at 7:08 a.m.

There’s a mega traffic jam of posts here and in other Internet forums honking questions about curses and fates and destinies; bumper-to-bumper bickering, opinionating, and fact face-offs. Much of what I’ve read asked, answered or proposed, found me at the theater to watch AWE again; a third time: Again, no answers. I’m resolved to be fine with that - better than fine actually – because there are some profoundly wonderful messages to be found in the story; if you’re not too busy looking for answers.

The most popular question seems to surround the story of the curse as it pertains to Davy Jones, the heart, and the duty with which he was eternally charged. Particularly, a lot of Turner/Bloom fans are troubled by the thought of Will Turner serving the same eternal charge, with conjugal visits restricted to one per decade. I suppose the unanswered question of the curse (I don’t consider that it was unanswered) got in the way of “Happily Ever After” expectations. But as I watched the scene of Will and Elizabeth’s “one day” for the third time yesterday, for the first time I was moved to tears; not so much provoked by the tender poignancy of the moment, but rather at the message the story inspired. To my eyes, the message was about quality not quantity, and how – in life - one day of uncommon grace is a gift that transcends happily - be it ever after, ten years, or an eternity. Indeed, I felt that the character of Teague offered a similar message to Jack within his remark regarding the length of one’s life as opposed to living with one’s self. There’s a beautiful gift in the message; put it in your pocket and take it everywhere – it can redeem even the worst of days. That gift shouldn’t get lost in the inquisition.

Other messages were there for the perceiving throughout AWE, as well as the first two movies; “perception” being the key notion here. For example: I was inspired by a strong political message in light of current events. In all three movies I found messages about the human spirit; about our frailties, inhumanities, our courage and fortitude – and no, I don’t feel the least bit ridiculous for finding such heady messages from a work of fiction and fantasy; where you find inspiration is not so important as where it takes you. Of course, I loved the ride; every hairpin turn of the plot twists, every kinetic plunge into the supernatural - even the slight nausea provoked by images of rotten teeth and severed limbs. But along with the entertainment, I’ll take the enlightenment from the messages, and all the questions that seem to cloud them I’ll leave behind. Questions are inevitable in life; answers are not. But within these movies, I find the message the key. So – to paraphrase the labyrinthine logic of one cunning albeit fictional character – “…what purpose would be served in finding whatever need be unlocked, which we don't have, without first having found the key what unlocks it?”

I was just going through the stuff I bought this past weekend and noticed that Target charged me twice for one pair of shorts. How annoying! I guess I'll try to stop by and ask if they'll refund the money, but I have a hunch that it might go badly. I've already worn the shorts and tossed the tag (at work, natch, where the trash is emptied daily) so I don't even have proof that I bought them. But I'd really like my $20 back.

On the happy side, there are a bunch of theaters that will show Pirates 3 the Thursday before opening day at or after 8 pm. Squee! Now to get the tickets, which Leah said she would pick up, but hasn't yet...*is absurdly anxious* Nine Days! And Orli was on Jay Leno tonight! Awww! Okay, fangirl moment over. Time for bed.