Movies That Teach Us Never Give Up

If it has to do with romance, I’m all over it. Even though I’m a firm believer that the book is always better, I do enjoy movies too.

I’ve had a little bit of a rough week. I’ve been thinking about where my life is and what’s gone right and wrong over the last few years. I know I can’t go back and change things, and in many ways I don’t want to, but I want the end of the bad things to be here so I can move on to the next phase of my life.

I know you are too.

I’ve spent years waiting to find the right person to share my life with, to get pregnant and have a family, to quit the job I hated, to do something I loved, and now I’m waiting to move back ‘home’ to the Buffalo, NY area where my family and friends are. There are so many parts of my life that I love, but everything surrounding where we are and how long it’s taking to get there… well, it sucks.

But I’m not giving up. I can’t.

If you’re stuck in the same place, waiting for something you think might never happen, I want you to go watch these movies. Now. Like, right now. Seriously, you’ll feel better. I think I’m going to have a pity party and watch them all this weekend while my kids are visiting their grandparents!

Sliding Doors

This indie flick is from 1998 and stars Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah. It’s a story about a woman who gets fired from her job and on the way home her life splits in two. In one case, she catches the subway (the British version at least) and finds her boyfriend in bed with another woman. In the other scenario she misses the train and the woman in his bed.

The story follows both scenarios and in the end gives you the reminder that everything works out the way it’s supposed to. It’s sad (when I first watched it with my BFF she actually screamed out, “This movie sucks!” in the theater), it’s happy, it’s wonderful.

The Vow

This is definitely a case where the book is better, but I respect the movie for what it is. The movie is based on a true story from the 1990′s about a woman who lost her memory after a car accident. She suffered a brain injury that left her without any knowledge of the man she was married to. She chose to remain committed to him because she believed God would never have brought the relationship into her life in the first place if it wasn’t the right one for her.

In the movie, starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum (worth it right there) the story is a bit different. It’s inspired by the real story, but doesn’t even attempt to follow it in any way (except that she lost her memory in a car accident). If you can see them as totally different stories, you will love both. Regardless, the movie gives you hope that the best thing in your life will always be there.

Something Borrowed

I read this book years before the movie came out, but if memory serves, they did a fairly good job of sticking to the story. The movie stars Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin as best friends. Gennifer Goodwin’s character was in love with Kate Hudson’s fiancé when they went to law school together but Kate Hudson swiped him out from under her.

The movie is full of flashbacks, challenging friendships, and true love conquering all. You will love it and hate it, but you’ll know you can find what you’re looking for if you keep looking.

Sometimes the world doesn’t work out the way we imagined. When I was growing up I wanted four kids and now I’m perfectly happy with two. I always thought I would leave New York and never look back but now I’m desperate to return. And I believed I was an independent person only to now realize how much I rely on the people closest to me for support.

No matter what has changed in our lives, we always look for something to remind us that it will all be okay. Go watch one of these movies and let them reassure you.

What movies make you feel better about life?

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