Henry Turner (played by Harrison Ford) is a despicable and ruthless trial lawyer in the movie “Regarding Henry” (Paramount, 1991). He was shot by a stray bullet, lost his memory (more like his mind) and became a nice guy who wasn’t too “macho” to kiss his wife in the park. Men only show public displays of affection (PDA) to their girlfriends but when these women morph into wives, the PDAs disappear. How many men go out clubbing or go for mid-night movies with their wives, things they do every weekend as recent as weeks before the wedding. I’m getting so off topic here.Back to Henry, after losing his memory (I still think he lost his mind), and having to re-learn to talk, he suddenly became so righteous and remorseful and sane. After having enough of the unethical ways of the legal fraternity (in the movie, not in real life) he quit and told his secretary he said “when”. This “when” thingy came about when he didn’t stop his secretary when she poured him tea, so she told him when he wants her to stop pouring or has had enough tea poured, he should say “when”. Gosh, I’m so long winded (many has pointed this out to me).
He wasn’t the only one who said “when”. Lord Milo Douglas, second in line to inherit the Marquess of Queensbury also said “when”, after deciding that the problems of (his) life exceeded its advantages. According to his father, the Marquess of Queensbury (obviously!), Milo was suffering from bipolar disorder since his early twenties (he was 34 at the time of his death), had very severe depression swinging from highs to lows and one day decided he has had enough. On 21 July 2009, his body was found at the bottom of a nine-storey block a few miles from his home.
Depression is treatable; jumping from a tower block is NOT a treatment. Try packing a suitcase, buy a ticket to Europe (even on credit), make friends with a solo traveller (from the opposite sex) in the same flight, and together go paint the town and continent red. You won’t be depressed for long!
My dear Sam…
ReplyDeleteTreating depression is not as easy as packing your bag and go on some adventure. It does “help” temporarily, but by no means does it solve the problem. Once you return home, u still have to face the same old issues (which for some reason would not go away!).
Bravo to Milo for being able to do what I failed to do. Bless his soul and may he finally be free and at peace. It may be a selfish (foolish to some) act, but unless you are in that person’s shoes, you wouldn’t know what goes on in the person’s head when he/she ends (or try to end) their life.
Hmm…may I ask why the PDAs disappear after marriage? Kind think of it, why things change after marriage? Shouldn’t it be more fun? I mean, you can pretty much do anything & everything together right?
a-liz,
ReplyDeleteI agree, packing up and run may not provide a permanent solution but it does give a reprieve, a break form the sadness, and maybe the adventure could uncover something that could be life changing in a positive sense.
I'm not an expert but I'm sure suicidal tendencies exist in everyone, especially when in despair, it's a test of our faith and in order to pass the test, we should not get anywhere near the thought. Yes, it's easier said than done but tests are usually hard.
PDA - marriage is not the reason for the change, it's just a sad excuse. You're right, it is more fun but the challenges are great too, another one of those tests I guess ...