THE REWRITE
Do the middle-aged men muck up their lives? I mean… make the same mistake again and again? This witty enjoyable rom-com reveals one such fallible creature!
The Rewrite deals with a theme which is in short supply on screen. It is about a man learning to be an adult and in desperate need to take advantage of second chances in life.
A 54 year old Oscar awarded screenwriter now at the low point in his career, is forced to take up a teaching job. “I hate teachers. They’re frustrated losers who haven’t done anything with their own lives, so they want to instruct other people!” he said grudgingly taking up the only job available. Little did he realize that, for all purposes, he is exactly that.
Keith Michaels (Hugh Grant) is waging an inner war with cynicism. The new chapter in Keith’s life could be over before it’s started, because of the awful gaffes he commits.
What if you miss the second chance and no third chances are coming your way? Is there hope?
Keith gradually rediscovers his soul thanks to his students and colleagues. There is one student who sees through him, “You are trying to fill a spiritual vacancy with alcohol and young women!”
The way out is within! Wisdom from the Bible reminds, ” But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it” (Deuteronomy 30:14)
Keith, who’s divorced with an estranged son, will go from bad teacher to revered professor as he bungles his way, finding himself in the process. As he guides his students respectfully helping them to find their unique expressions and blossom, he begins asking right questions to connect with himself, bursting the bubble of mid-life disillusion.
Interestingly the writer’s block in him disappears as he opens up to a new idea to write on himself as a washed-up writer who goes to teach in an out-of-the-way University! Having learnt from his mistakes, Keith is a changed man who does not wear honesty anymore as mere ornament. Connecting with students, colleagues and himself in an authentic way, the valuable relationships bring him more than just a salary and unearned prestige.
The film is in a way about third acts. A must see for both men and women who are going through mid-life transition.
AFTER THOUGHTS
Being one such fallible creature myself, this film provoked in me a soul searching:
Do I take it as failure or a healthy development giving me an opportunity to integrate these disconnected parts of myself?
Most of us do inner work knowingly or unknowingly. That’s what the spiritual path is. “Awareness is the ultimate enzyme that helps us to digest the undigested experiences from the past. It is very much the heart of spiritual path.” says John Welwood who integrated Western Psychology with Eastern Contemplation.
How do I move from the focus on problems to the awareness as the healing agent?
Bandhu Bob
http://www.thetalkshop.in/bobby