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The Family Man

XIAO Yajing, Graduate of 2006 Centre for Japanese Language

   The Family Man taken in 2000 is not a new movie. I am sure most movie lovers have seen it. Jack, played by Nicolas Cage is a single, wealthy Wall Street executive in New York City. Marriage means nothing to him. He is arrogant and believes that he has got everything which annoys an angel. The next morning, on Christmas Day, when Jack wakes up, he finds himself lying in a suburban New Jersey bedroom with Kate, his girlfriend, broke up with him 13 years ago and their two children. The house is a mess, and they are not wealthy at all. He is a tire salesman and Kate is a non-profit lawyer. Jack is shocked and confused, and he struggles for a while. However, the desire for peace and love deep in his heart is gradually aroused and he finally gets to love this gGlimpseh, falling in love with his wife, bonding with his children, and working hard at his job. Jack comes back to his real life when he finally realizes the true value of life. He knows what he has lost and what he needs most, and he tries to get it back.

   I am touched by a line, gI choose ush, from this movie. When Jack finds a new job in New York, Kate says, gcc. If you need this, Jack, if you really need this, I will take these kids from a life they love and I'll take myself from the only home we've ever shared together and I'll move wherever you need to go. I'll do that because I love you. I love you, and that's more important to me than our address. I choose us. h And Jack says to Kate at the airport when Kate is leaving for Paris, gcc.I know we could both go on with our lives and we'd both be fine, but I've seen what we could be like together. And I choose us. h I went to study Japanese in Kyoto six years ago, and I've planned to go to Tokyo afterwards, to get my doctor's degree. However, I met my husband in Kyoto, so I've decided to find a job in Kyoto because gI choose ush. I came back to Beijing with him three years ago, giving up my favorite job for gI choose ush. I knew this would be better for his career so we needed to spend more time with our parents. I was a little bit upset when I had to choose a new lifestyle. But I knew gI choose ush which is just so simple (words) but so meaningful. Career is everywhere, but happiness is not. One won't be lucky enough like Jack, from Family Men, to find it, a new life back once you lose it. Although I would not work at international companies anymore, using neither English nor Japanese, I took a new job at a university and treat that as my career. I am happy because I can have more time with my parents, support my husband's career, and provide my daughter with the education from kindergarten to high school subordinated to the university.

   I found that it is important to choose a lifestyle you really enjoy. The life in Beijing is hard; the cost of housing, the bad traffic, difficulties in children's education and getting doctor's appointment etc. Many problems are confronting most people in Beijing, especially those without Beijing gHukouh (registered permanent residence). The movie character, Jack and Kate, I know so many people who prefer to live in smaller cities. I can tell they are happy with their lives, sharing more times with their families, no need to worry about the education of their children, and no necessities for queuing long in hospital.

   Real happiness comes from the true feelings insider your heart, not from priority or wealth, not from others' point of views or from the rule criteria of the society. When you have to choose between happiness and success, please ask yourself if you want to say gI choose ush. Lifestyle is never important if you think you are happy. The movie reminds us to slow down and take a look at the important things in our lives when we view it again.

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