With my intolerant (almost pro-Kira from 'Death Note') view on crime and punishment, some of Woody Allen's movies manage to get to me in a rather, umm, stimulating way. The question of whether we have a (sufficient) moral structure has been, well to say the least, open-ended. Mr. Allen takes it on quite directly in his 'Crimes and Misdemeanors' and the more recent 'Match Point'. More than his movies, I love his laconic quotes which have had a major influence on the way I do what I do; the strongest one being "Eighty percent of success is showing up". So, this post is to share an IMHO interesting thought,
"We're all faced throughout our lives with agonizing decisions, moral choices. Some are on a grand scale; most of these choices are on lesser points. But we define ourselves by the choices we have made. We are, in fact, the sum total of our choices. Events unfold so unpredictably, so unfairly. Human happiness does not seem to be included in the design of creation. It is only we, with our capacity to love that give meaning to the indifferent universe. And yet, most human beings seem to have the ability to keep trying and even try to find joy from simple things, like their family, their work, and from the hope that future generations might understand more".
- 'Crimes and Misdemeanors', Film
Written and Directed by Woody Allen
"We are, in fact, the sum total of our choices".
ReplyDeleteIn my humble opinions one's choices are in itself goverened by one's surroundings. Peopls's mindset and thus his choices are governed by his surroundings, the oppurtunities that he has in his life. Yes, there are a lot of cicumstances, when he has to make a choice but the choices in itself maybe limited.
On a side note, I love Woody's movies. Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Match Point and Annie Hall top the list.
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