Notes of an Ordinary Being

From the movie Mannequin (1987) by Michael Gottlieb, I started my prose-writing journey - if I can call it that. And that initial spark eventually grew into a tale I'm proud of. The tale itself, which was my first written story, is called "Emma, the Mannequin", and it is a narrative inspired by some fundamental characteristics of the presented romcom. Thanks to Gottlieb's script and perspective, I felt inspired to write a story with a similar plot, that is, about a love that feels intangible yet real - a love that exists beyond the physical, but is deeply felt by those who experience it. From Mannequin, I found three key references for my narrative: a mannequin brought to life, an ancestral backstory, and a plot that explores actions and feelings love brings. Although still different, my first attempt as a writer wouldn't be possible without watching Mannequin beforehand. It was that film — that narrative about intangible love — that triggered my urge ...

Imagine falling in love without searching for it, without knowing what might happen or how it could change your life forever: that — for me — is the essence of Serendipity (2001), directed by Peter Chelsom. Serendipity, which means a happy chance, tells the story of two strangers who meet and share an instant connection — so much so that they decide to let destiny take its course, trusting that they will find each other again if they are meant to be. This willingness to let fate take its course — to see if they are meant for each other — resonates with me as a belief that love shouldn't be forced, but open, honest, and natural when it comes. I'm not saying you or I should not seek love — meeting new people and building relationships can be a beautiful part of life. I'm simply sharing that a love which starts serendipitously, as I have been fortunate enough to experience, feels uniquely natural and beautiful — like no other. Because sometimes, the best love sto...

From Miguel D'ante's A Origem dos Dias (in English, The Origin of Days ), an italicized phrase prompted my reflection: "If she leaves, we will live together in the memory of time. I shall sit down to write for her the great works I have always dreamed of." (D'ante, M., 2024, p. 89) This citation captures something more profound than the words themselves; it shows that the idea of love can be sustained not just through physical presence, but also, even if only, through memory and writing. The narrator imagines a love that transcends distance or context — a love that stays in the mind of the one who is inspired by and writes about it. When we look closer at this passage, we see that even "if she leaves," the memory of "her" and him can still "live together." The condition is that he writes — that he dedicates to paper "the great works I have always dreamed of." And what are these great works? In one word: her. She ...

In the universe of romantic cinema, The Notebook (2004), directed by Nick Cassavetes as an interpretation of Nicholas Sparks' book, stands to me as a must-watch. While on the surface the narrative tells a story of enduring love, the film is propelled by a force more profound than mere romance: the power of dreams. Dreams, in this context, transcend the simple act of sleeping and go beyond mere hypothetical scenarios; they are visions, promises, and hopes that shape the characters' identities and defy the crushing weight of reality and time. Therefore, in the above-mentioned sense, the film's power lies in its exploration of how a shared dream can become an anchor, a compass, and ultimately, a testament to a love that persists against all odds - both when we actively fight for it and when it lives quietly and respectfully. The most tangible and powerful manifestation of the aforementioned paragraph is the dream house Noah builds for Allie. This structure is not ...

Once a week on YouTube, a Portuguese podcast named "in sickness and in health" (originally called "na saúde e na doença" ), by Guilherme Geirinhas and Margarida Santos, is published. The audiovisual project, with a new episode every Sunday night, focuses on the relationship of Geirinhas, a comedian, and Santos, a doctor, as a couple in an intimate and humorous format. These talks dive into various useful and important topics for society, especially for couples, such as the meaning of being and loving someone, of being a parent, individually and as a couple, of having a healthy life or not, among others. Nonetheless, although all these topics are important to explore, the heart of it all lies in how they balance their individual perspectives — his comedic lens, her medical one — into a harmonious, healthy and loving dialogue. Within the thought line presented above, "in sickness and in health" describes a vulnerable and friendly space to be, whe...

When talking about the significance of love, one particular character of a well-known sitcom stands out in my mind: Ted Mosby, from How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM). What draws me to Ted is how he embodies both emotion and reason when it comes to love – often torn, but never shallow. In that sense, when talking about any of his relationships, whether that's a close friend or a lover, he sometimes combines both, even if in other moments the emotional part seems to have a bigger part - and, if that's so, it's still legitimate. But I'm not here to explore in detail all of Mosby's profound characteristics as a character of the North American series HIMYM. I'm here to reflect on a confession that comes from his inherent and honest sentiments about love that has stayed with me ever since: "Actually, there is a word for that. It's love. I'm in love with her, okay? If you're looking for the word that means caring for someone beyond all rationalit...

With the premise of "what is the best Ross and Rachel kiss?", encountered on Reddit's community "howyoudoin", by the user bokatan778, I started to think, based on my Friends' experience and interpretation, what is, according to every moment between Ross and Rachel, the most emblematic - along with other possible adjectives - kiss scene between the two (out of six) protagonists from the sitcom premiered on 22 September of 1994. In a first instant of introspection about what could really be, along the ten seasons of Friends and according to the intimacy, chemistry, and narrative background and construction, the most corresponded romantic lips touching between the two previously protagonists here referred were the first one where both, Ross and Rachel, intended consciously to kiss each other – since the episode five of season one, named "The One with the East German Laundry Detergent", Rachel surprises Ross with a genuine and unexpected kiss (wh...

Directed by Peter Segal, 50 First Dates (2004) explores human connections in a way that combines lightness - in humor, love, and positivity - and intensity - in romance, meaning, and reality -, balancing the story and making it feel tangible. Why is this screenplay so "tangible"? Because it can be close, comprehended, and felt by humans. The idea of meeting a "stranger" and having to fall in love with someone every day, no matter the circumstances (as Lucy's amnesia serves as an example), is something that can be real, and I'm proof of that. In addition, if we think about a couple in love for months, years, or more, it is possible, as shown in 50 First Dates, to assume they've been growing and shaping their personalities individually and as a couple, in a pure and healthy love. That is why a piece of seventh art like this romcom hits my heart and shares what I believe is part of the "truest growing love" concept – the idea that lo...