New Year's Eve Movie

          I have lots of giggles as well as tears as I watched the movie, New Year's Eve, which was directed by Garry Marshall, who was also the man behind the film, Valentine's Day. 

          Akin to the latter, New Year's Eve followed the same formula on how the plot evolved with all its individual characters being interconnected with one another in the film's conclusion. Since it was participated with several actors, the story didn't have the luxury to focus on character development. However, I believe that the film pulled enough effort to add substance to each cast so as not to bore audience with their personalities. What's important was that it delivered effectively its message to the viewers about the meaning of New Year- reconciliation, love, and positivity.  

          I was touched with how Claire Morgan (Hilary Swank) quitted her stressful job as the vice president of the Times Square Alliance, rushing to the hospital to be with his dying father whose wish was to see the ball drop one last time.

          I was also impressed by how delivery man Paul (Zac Efron) granted the wish list of Ahern Records secretary Ingrid (Michelle Pfieffer) who  had just quitted her job after being denied with a vacation by her boss. One of her wishes was to visit Bali, Indonesia. Though seemed impossible, Paul fulfilled it by treating her into a nearby spa with a Bali-like ambience.  Ingrid was so overwhelmed as she experienced each of her goal came into reality before the new year.

          I also loved the part where expectant parents Griffin (Seth Meyers) and Tess (Jessica Biel)  competed with another couple, James (Til Schweiger) and her pregnant wife Grace (Sarah Paulson), for a bonus to be awarded by the hospital for the family of the first child born in new year. Though Tess had the baby out first, Griffin decided to just offer the prize to James and Grace whom he discovered had three kids.  And that’s the spirit of new year – selfless giving!

          Teenagers were also well represented in this movie. Kim’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) teenage daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin) wanted to spend her new year at the Times Square with her clique and boyfriend Seth (Jake T. Austin). Kim won’t allow this because she was afraid of losing her child after fighting hard to get her custody from her ex-husband. However, this treatment was bottling up Hailey who decided to oppose her mom and went straight to Times Square where she surprisingly spotted Austin being kissed by a girl. Hurt, Hailey turned back and saw her mom whom she tightly hugged  thereafter. This scene was a simple tearjerker.

          All in all, I can say that the movie is inspiring and timely. Christmas and New Year are seasons that remind us to love and forgive - - a time to start anew and value the relationships we share with others. Indeed, the most important gift that we can ever receive aren’t the material things but the joy of letting others feel how much we care for them. This film tells us to put aside all our anger, hurt, and despair, instead, nurture in us the effort to make others happy. And yes, it is never too late. The power to spread our love across the universe is within our hands. Let us not allow our pride to suck out the peace in our hearts. No amount of power, riches, or fame can be paralleled to a peaceful soul and heart. This wonderful message has been effectively delivered and etched by this film towards its audience.