Keep Smiling

Nak, my wife, enjoys watching movies. She'll often watch one in the early evening when I'm doing a bit of writing. The bed is where she sets herself up with the computer and two pillows. She'd happily set herself up with a dozen pillows but, as it is, we only have two. She prefers musicals, comedies and some action films.

 'A Fish Called Wanda', 'My Life in Ruins', 'Midnight Run' and 'You've Got Mail' are some of her favorites. Also, anything with Fred Astaire in it. No idea how she got hooked on that fleet-footed charmer. Despite having viewed her favorites many times, she continues to laugh, clap her hands and sing along with the songs. I get such a kick out of listening to her. The other night our neighbor provided a copy of 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?' I'd seen it once years ago. Once was enough for me. And, as it turned out, once was more than enough for Nak. It's a good film, well acted and well directed which I thought Nak ought to see - add a few more colors into her paint box, so to speak. Nevertheless, it is a dreary and bitterly acerbic melodrama to say the least. No laughter emanated from her chamber. The first moan surfaced about fifteen minutes into the film. That was followed shortly thereafter by an anguished groan. Twenty minutes later she exclaimed, "Oh Jeez - I can't take this anymore!" Presenting herself upon the verandah she said, "Honey, why did you want to me watch that film. It's horrible!" 

"Oh?"

"Well, I mean, for christsake! Those two people are just a couple of angry drunks and they speak so bad to each other."

"There are people like that, sweetheart."

"What, you think I'm stupid? Of course I know there are people like that. But, why should I want to watch a movie about them? I want to watch movies that make me smile and laugh and sing. That movie makes me want to throw up!"

"You going to finish watching it?"

"No way! I've seen enough - more than enough. Please don't ask me to watch another movie like that. It ruin my feelings. Now I'm in a bad mood. Honestly, I just don't understand why people would want to watch that kind of thing."

To Nak's way of thinking, there is a surfeit of anger and human cruelty in the real world as it is. Why go looking for further examples of it in a movie? I rather agree with her. I also agree with Nietzsche who said something to the effect that people who stare too long into the abyss run the risk of falling into it. My wife prefers to cast her gaze towards the heavens. Like so many other Cambodians of the past fifty years, she's served her time in the abyss. There is no benefit to be had in gratuitously dwelling upon and vicariously experiencing the wretchedness of humanity as contrived by Hollywood. Those are exercises reserved for the pampered minions of privileged and affluent societies. Nak wants to smile and laugh and sing and dance. She's had more than her share of misery. A joyous spirit is her great treasure. And, she is a great joy to be near.

As for 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe?' Who cares? Bring on the minstrels!

Morgan McFinn is from Chicago and currently resides in Cambodia with his wife. He has a B.A. degree in Philosophy from Georgetown University. Much of his work should be considered humorous and fictionalized memoirs. There are also satirical essays. Location settings include Thailand, Cambodia, India, Burma, Morocco and Greece.

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