The French and Romance

Being a bum does have its good sides.

Take last tuesday, for example. I finally had the time to just go and watch something I normally would not have watched. Apparently, there was a French Film Festival going on in Shang, and my friends and I, being totally bored and craving for things to do, went there to try it out.

We only got to see one movie -- Changement d' Adresse (Change of Address)

David, a shy, awkward musician who has just moved to Paris, falls madly in love with his young student, Julia. He tries everything to win her heart. His room-mate, Anne, provides encouragement, advice and consolation... passionately!

It was a nice movie. Nothing super great about it, no fancy visual effects, no mind blowing philosophical dialogues, no complicated twists at the end of the film. It was just a simple story, that was relayed well, in the sense that it made me feel like I was watching a real person's life unfold.

But it did give me really weird ideas about the French and their interpretation of romance. Yes, the French are romantic people. I get it. But does that justify becoming a martyr all for the sake of love? Does that mean giving up your own dreams and your own happiness just so that love can prevail? Where do you draw the line between being a gentleman and just being plain stupid?

I'm sorry. Maybe this is something I'll never understand.