double feature

14/365
In lieu of the weather canceling our beach plans for today, Stephen and I decided to spend our day in New York. Originally we tossed around the idea of going to a museum (it was between the MET and the Museum of Natural History), but museum hours don't exactly coincide well with the schedules of those who like to sleep in. So we decided to forgo the museum idea and save that for a better planned rainy day.

Instead, we decided to grab lunch/dinner on little Italy and then create our own double feature of two independent films I've been wanting to see for a little while. The theaters were kind of a distance apart, so we had to do a little bit of theatre hopping, which was interesting, but remarkably seamless overall.

The first of the two was called Love, etc. at the Sunshine Theatre. This documentary followed the relationships of five very different groups of people and how love, or the quest to find it, has altered their lives. Each character's scenario was so endearing and lent an opportunity to consider and be thankful for the love and experience that I experience in my own relationship.

One of the featured couples was one that was happily married for 49 years, and the husband commented genuinely, saying he said it felt like "forty nine minutes; forty nine seconds". To have a love like that is remarkable and hard to come by, and that type of devotion and dedication takes work and a great deal of self-sacrificing. Certainly a goal worth striving towards.

The second movie which we caught at the Beekman Theatre, was the one pictured. This movie rocked my emotions on so many levels. Much more than just a chick flick, this movie showcased the potential for richness of life and love when you invest in and accept those you care about. I love love, I really do, and this movie painted it on so many forms and facets.

The best part of it all was having my best friend and love of my life readily available to accept kisses and wipe away the tears that came as a byproduct of witnessing such heart-wrenching stories. It is a crazy feeling to experience the depth of connection manifesting itself simultaneously both on and off screen.

While life more than often is not as picturesque as a feature film, we each have the power to make the most out of our starring role in life. We also have the responsibility to be integral supporting characters in others' lives, shaping them and helping them through the difficult scenes just as they do for us.