Heard some pretty good comments about the show. I haven't watched much local productions in cinemas all along, the previous and first one being "3 Good Men"...so I didn't had much expectations for this one. Surprisingly, it turned out to be pretty good...1 of the best among Jack's productions I'd say.
I didn't watch the first "I Not Stupid", but I believe there isn't much difference with the materials the shows focused on, where kids strive and struggle with the expectations and heavy burdens placed upon their shoulders by their parents and the society. It's quite a realistic and honest protrayal of the daily going ons between youths and their families, which I'm sure most of you out there are able to relate to =) I do however find the show being a bit too much with its emotional scenes, riding on the viewers emotions.
The show had got me in thoughts, mainly towards my family. I could really identify with the struggles the characters went through. The scene where 1 of the main characters told his dad how he's always useless and underachieving in his sights, and how it seems that he can never measure up to his brother's good example and standard.
Often when the scene showed the character holding back his words from expressing what and how he really felt to his nagging parents, I could feel myself silently hoping he would just speak up...cause I see myself in them, regretting the times when I could have spoken and expressed myself better, rather than just keeping mum or expressing through a burst of rage. Slowly and certainly...all these just added on to the awkwardness of speaking up and expressing oneself in my family. I remember vividly the days of my youth when I was one who would express unabashedly my concerns and how I felt. It all seemed to vanish with my growing up.
As I reached home earlier and saw my dad lying on the bed...I felt that familiar tinge of longing towards him. He asked me to adjust the fan, which I did so quietly. Could I have said something to him? I wish I had. I have so many things in my heart to say to him. He's aged, and have been through so much working and providing for the family. Though he's not one to verbally express his love, I have seen it manifested in other areas, especially towards me his youngest son. There would be times I wonder what is on his mind as I see him lie there with his eyes open, seemingly deep in thoughts. Often I have put myself in his shoes, and I think I would feel pretty disappointed seeing how certain things are in the family. So many a times I wish I would just go talk to him, tell him that it's ok, that we are all trying, that I see his efforts and heartaches...that I love him. Sadly I didn't.
Too many a times I have asked myself, do I have to wait till his last days that I find it too late to do anything and regret? It happened to the boorish dad who didn't know how to express his love for his son in the movie. He died, expressing his love in a language that his wayward son finally understood.
Please Lord, help me, to overlook any awkwardness on my part, and give the love that You have called me to, for my family. I really don't want to live in regret at the end of the day, knowing that I didn't do as much as I could to share Your message and love with my family.
The movie touched on a point about everyone, of all ages, needing encouragement in one way or another, big or small. From the under achieving youths, the teacher who was behind times and unrespected by his students, the law abiding principal, to the parents who have failed. People have shedded tears in the many emotional scenes within the movie, which was mainly various characters sharing their heartfelt pains, regrets, failures and longings. Why?
I believe it's because their words echo the desires and longings deep within our hearts, to show and receive love, to be noticed, to be appreciated and welcomed, to be heard...the feelings that have been somehow buried or tucked aside, due to past events or awkwardness through the years.
It's not easy...and I can only say I'm glad that Someone understood our struggles enough to graciously give us all an example upon the cross, where love was given no matter the response or unworthiness of the receipients, for us to follow.
[To Be Loved] - Dennis Jernigan
Father, if we were to be honest,
What would our greatest need consist of?
Wouldn’t we say, if we were all honest,
Simply our greatest need is to be loved.
From the strong and stable man,
To the single minded woman.
To the man not even sure he is a man.
To the lonely hurting children,
To the old abandoned soul.
We need love to make us whole
Only one love could be totally true love;
Bearing my sin, bearing my pain.
Only one love could be totally true love;
Others will fail, but this love will remain
Through the fiery trials of life;
Through the endless days in prison;
Through the darkness of rejection’s blinding rainl
Through the days we hurt so badly and we seem to cry in vain,
Jesus’s love will still remain
To be loved is like a harbor in a storm;
To be anchored so securely at the heart you can’t be torn!
To be loved is just what every heart would give their life to be;
Held just once by one who would not leave!
To be loved is what we need.
(Photo from "I Not Stupid Too" taken from movie website, http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/instoo/main_instoo.htm)