Remember Me

Watching "Remember Me", I also was clearer on some things that I hadn't gotten from the movie before. Beyond the beauty and the romantic portrayal of the character of Tyler, there were also points when I was so frustrated at how blind he could be (almost in the way he accuses his father of), and how outrightly stupid he was sometimes with his words and how he put them across... But at the same time, I realise that these kinds of things are often what makes me fall deeper in love with characters. When I acknowledged how I felt and what I thought; how frustrated I was, almost desperate for him, I also came to the recognition that that's the way we are.

Because the main lead does not have to be perfect, only human. And Tyler Keets Hawkins kind of unravelled for me at that point. Because he is careless, obstinate, and if you call manipulation and acting out of self-gain immoral then call it that, but I just call it making mistakes. But he also does it out of a pure heart, and when he is careless and when he makes mistakes, I imagine that his mind is that of a clear day; not cloudy nor bright, just usual, and almost blank. And I guess that's because that's what I sometimes recall in moments when I "make mistakes"... when I act out of no real ill-intention to hurt, and not thinking much of motives or consequences, but that act is eventually revealed to hold significance in ways I wasn't aware. I guess there are chips in our very being that we often like to think whole, and I don't think that we can possibly find anyone to blame for that.
(I also think that Rob Pattinson and the characterisation through costume, speech/voice etc was quite perfect in conveying this idea of imperfection. Tyler Hawkins was a little rough at the edges: had crumpled shirts, a bare and worn face, fingers that weren't sure of themselves. It all culminated into an honest portrayal.)

Beyond that, it also caught my attention that this film is not about Tyler Hawkins. It's easy to think that way – I subconsciously did in all the times I've watched it before. Intrigued and obsessed I was of him, but only now do I as clearly understand that it is not the tragedy of his death in 9/11, not about the romance or the family he left behind... not even about the abruptness of which he went, and just as his life seemed to be getting better. Instead, knowing how the events would unfold and how the movie would end, in the last few moments one particular quote from the movie kept resonating in my head. It was a voiceover of one of Tyler's writings to his brother: "You once told me, our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we touch."

It was almost an epiphany forced into slow motion. The moments building up to the end it approached me like footsteps, getting louder and feeling heavier – clearer, and when I finally got to touch its tip this consciousness washed over me full force. It wasn't about, as Tyler says, our insignificance in the world, it was about what worlds we danced within, what hearts we touched, who we love and what we each have done for them. Without Tyler, I don't believe his father would have learnt that money and the ability to provide his children with a good, comfortable life can ever compare to time and the show of love. Without Tyler, I don't believe Caroline would learn in the way she has, in gaining strength and belief. And without Tyler, Ally would never have let her guard down, allow herself to be reckless, and therefore face her fears and the recklessness of the world. It all made sense: why the ending scene was so significant, why it was Ally as the ultimatum and no one else.

It isn't only a story about the happenings, challenges of one's life and how it came to end. It isn't a story about the sorrow of having to go without all the beautiful things left behind. In my understanding, it is more about how there are beautiful things that we do leave behind, and how those who remain can enjoy such privilege. There is a strength, an acute consciousness, and an awakened hope that lies in tragedy. That's the best way that I can describe it.




I've probably written about this movie before somewhere on this page. I'll go find it. And also, side note: The "Tyler" tattoo on Aidan's arm made me cry. I hadn't seen it before.

Love,
CLL