Margot: I’m afraid of connections –
in airports – of getting from one plane to another. The running, the rushing,
the not knowing – the trying to figure it all out. Wondering if I’m going to make it.
Daniel: What do you think will
happen if you don’t make it?
Margot: I think I might get lost …
and may rot and die in some forgotten empty terminal that nobody knows exists.
Daniel: So you are afraid you are
going to miss your plane?
Margot: No, no that’s not really the
fear.
Daniel: So what are you afraid of?
Margot: I’m afraid of wondering if I
will miss it. I don’t like being inbetween
things. I’m afraid of being afraid.
Daniel: That sounds like the most
dangerous thing in the world.
..........................................
I saw the movie Take This Waltz a few weeks ago, and while I did not necessarily fall in love with the film I did relate to some of the underlying themes that are explored.
Michelle Williams described the film as being about this inner "feeling of restlessness. Is that what it feels like to be alive? Or is that what it feels like to be in the wrong relationship? And what do you do with this restlessness? Do you look outside of yourself? Or is it something that's your own journey? I read this quote when I was making the movie, it's a Buddhist quote, 'Emptiness is the track that a centered person walks on.' And that's a great kind of idea to hang on to, but a hard one to practice."
I can totally understand this feeling she is describing. I can completely relate to this inner restlessness that being in your late twenties - being in-between things - brings. The movie is "a coming of age story that's about an 'unsung period' of life ... It's this sort of on-the-cusp kind of thing when you're sort of trying to leave behind more sort of childish things, and it's really kind of a last step into an adult life."
And this period of time, period of in-between, period of being a little bit lost while trying to get to the next step, next stage - it's overwhelming and consumed with fluctuating emotions. There is exhilaration and excitement about figuring out who your adult self is meant to be, but at the same time that is compounded against the mourning of your former self, former life.
And those conflicting feelings can bring on a fear of being afraid of being afraid .....
3 comments:
I'm currently reading a book that addresses facing your fears, which is similar to the quote from this movie.
When you're feeling afraid of something, break down exactly what you're afraid of... and you'll soon realize that what your afraid of isn't really that scary.
Thanks for the post!
I've been wanting to see this film and from what you've said it seems worth it if only for the perspective. Thanks.
-Jess
Becca - thank you so much for your insightful comment. I definitely think breaking down your fears can in essence break down the fear itself. The only difficulty I find sometimes is figuring out what exactly the fear is ... what I'm exactly afraid of and where it's coming from.
Jessy - The film was a little on the slow side as well as had its strange moments. But the underlying themes and perspectives are definitely universal and especially for twenty somethings brings truth to some underlying concerns about life direction. Also, Luke Kirby is very cute and Michelle Williams is great as always!
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