Last Friday, I watched the movie Arrival with other Rose Scholar fellows. It was my second time watched the movie, but it still brought very strong feelings for me. The movie is about the main character, Louise, can see the future. She knows that she will marry her colleague Ian, but their daughter will die early and Ian will eventually leave her.
I think about this choice with my own experience and ask myself: If I can see the future, especially some heart-broken event, will I still make the same choice? I am 20 years now. I enjoy studying in Cornell and getting along with my friends, especially in Cornell in which most of them come from completely different backgrounds and offer me a brand new view of the world. However, I also experienced some failure/heart-broken moments. I know that this seemly not so pleasant moments bring me valuable lesson, and makes me much more stronger and mature than before, and cherish what I have more. So if I were Louise, I would do the same choice, because life is not only about results, the love, happiness even sadness during the process of getting the result is also very valuable.
This is a really interesting conclusion you got from the movie. Most focused on the main plot and extrapolating the consequences of language and communication with beings that are totally alien to us. Yet, most would skip this motif. I’m glad you commented on it.
I watched the movie as well and although it may be naive of me, I think her ability would let her see different lives with different people. I feel as if everyone wants to choose a life where they are the happiest. From the beginning of the movie, Louise’s daughter’s death leaves her a hollow shell. Her interactions with her daughter are almost bitter. Was it truly worth choosing a life with Ian when she’ll suffer so much heartbreak?