Lessons learned from The Artist
It's the day before the Oscars and the film that has been the talk of the town for months is The Artist. It's a silent movie making so much noise now that the awards season is drawing to a close. Silent movies may be a tough sell at this day and age, but the people behind the film are having the last laugh after the movie received accolades from critics and audiences alike. It's a story about an actor named George Valentin who starred in silent pictures. Things started to change when he meets Peppy Miller who is an aspiring actress. George Valentin's popularity came to an abrupt end when silent pictures were overshadowed by talking pictures. The producers anointed Peppy Miller as their brand new star and George Valentin's career plummeted. We have seen movies that depicted what goes on in show business. But this movie teaches us great lessons on how to deal with life even if we are not living in the world of make believe.
1. The only thing permanent is change- As human beings, we have to adapt to changes in our lives. Change is good. If we learn how to embrace change, we grow and move forward. If we stick to monotony and refuse to try new things, our lives will be forever stagnant. George Valentin wanted to do silent movies for the rest of his life because that's what he became famous for. When he refused to compromise, it led to his downward spiral. When times change, people change and we have to go with the flow.
2. Fame only lasts for 15 minutes- Show business is not a stable profession. If you are at the height of your popularity, be sure to save enough for the rainy days. Some people don't know how to deal with unexpected windfall such as winning the lottery. Learn how to be frugal because luck comes and goes away easily. Sudden fame doesn't last for a lifetime. Madonna said in her interview with Anderson Cooper that fame gets you in the door, but it doesn't keep you in the room.
3. Never forget where you came from- When Peppy Miller was just starting, she worked as a bit player in Valentin's movies. When the tables were turned, Miller took a swipe at Valentin and silent movies when she was being interviewed. People walk into your life for a reason. Don't forget those people who pulled the strings for you because they are your mentors. These people showed you the ropes and you owe them a debt of gratitude. The people you meet on your way up are the same people you will meet on your way down. Life is a cycle indeed.
4. Friendship is more important than money- In the work place, most bosses are only concerned about the money that you bring to the company. For them, it doesn't matter how you deal with people, what matters most is how you do your job. Relationships matter in any environment. Camaraderie is essential in working with other people. You produce the best results if you work with people you are comfortable with. If you don't build a rapport with your colleagues, your business is doomed. Who knows, you might need them in future projects.
5. Seek help when you are depressed- When George's career took a nose dive, he lost everything he had. He tried to commit suicide because he perceived himself as a failure. If you hit rock bottom, reach out to your loved ones. There is nothing wrong with asking for help. You need to release your pent-up emotions by talking to someone. Surround yourself with people you trust because they can help you pick up the pieces. Owning a dog might help too.
6. Love will find it's way- Some relationships happen at the wrong time. When the time is right, you will end up with the one you knew all along. In the movie, they started out as friends. In the end, circumstances brought them together and they realized that they were meant to be. Love has a way of connecting people. Quoting a line from Julia Fordham's song, "love moves in mysterious ways."
The Artist might be a shoo-in for best picture, but let us not forget that this movie pulled the heart strings of movie lovers. The lessons that the film conveyed outweighed the expectations of critics and the public.
