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Have you ever wondered what it would be like, to communicate with someone who didn’t speak the same language as you? Isn’t it hard enough trying to communicate with someone in your own language? What can we learn from other cultures, to enhance our own life?
The answer is: a whole lot. Spanglish is an educational experience, as much as it is an emotional experience. We learn about how people can connect, even if they don’t speak the same language. And most important of all, we learn about how a mother’s love for her daughter, can transcend anything in this world. Spanglish teaches these life lessons with a comedic style that helps you feel connected to the characters. It’s a sad, yet heart-warming tale, about human and cultural connection.
What happens when a kind-hearted chef, his neurotic, awkward-mannered wife, her strange and kind-hearted mother, and their 2 great-spirited children, live in the same house as a strict Mexican mother, and her daughter? Cultures clash, and sparks fly. When people are directly exposed to a culture outside their own, everyone gains perspective on their situation. By being exposed to the culture of the Moreno’s, John Clasky (Sandler) learns what it is like to have his compassionate nature recognized. It is through language translation, that the greatest impact is made. Imagine speaking to someone; and having to wait 3 seconds for a reaction. You’ll be hanging in there, and things will seem extremely different. Problems get solved differently, and troubles seem to resolve quicker. This is most likely due to the tremendous effort of having a cross-cultural, cross-language, comprehensive argument. It’s just too much effort, all for a negative result. Take a moment to reflect on any culture outside of your own. Imagine how difficult it would be, to live in harmony with someone who speaks a completely different language. Imagine how much you could learn!
Flor Moreno, is a loving mother. She loves her daughter Christina so much, that she is willing to lose ANYTHING, in order to give Christina a better life. Flor is one of the best, if not the best, examples of parenting and ‘tough love’, that I have ever seen in a movie. Flor does everything for Christina, just to give her a better life in the future. Even if it means sacrificing present happiness. Flor is in love with John, yet she leaves him, after realizing that it wouldn’t be best for him, or her daughter, to continue the relationship with John. It’s a very sad ending, but it’s true to life. It’s about the sacrifice of a romantic relationship, for the love of your daughter. Granted, there aren’t many mothers out there who would act like Flor in this situation. Sometimes you can’t get everything you want, even though it’s out there for you. Sometimes you have to make a sacrifice, based on your original intentions. It’s tough, it’s sad, but it’s life.
Spanglish is a story about love, connection, and sacrifice. It is about love between families, connection between cultures, and sacrificing the present moment for a better future. It really is inspiring how much one woman would do for her daughter. If Spanglish is not an incredible example of connection between cultures and tough love, then I don’t know what is!
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2 comments
April 20, 2010 at 2:41 am
I’ve watched this once , It’s a really simple movie about 2 family with different cultures and background. The story development in it’s quite good and show a bit of serius side of Adam sandler in acting. but there’s something missing there’s not enough conflict in the culture side to really make a bold impression of the title. but hey that just me talking(IMO).
April 27, 2010 at 11:07 am
Thanks for the comment, Kyon! Have you seen Click or Reign Over Me, as well? Adam Sandler is really an excellent serious actor too. If there were more conflict in the movie, it would be hard to lean it towards the comedy side.