UP above the "promise"

I generally love cartoon movies more so because half my childhood has been spent on reading about fairyland tales and watching animated characters. I blame them for turning me into a hardcore daydreamer and a hopeful romantic (practically hopeless though). I literally daydreamed to have a magic wand so that I could have a huge bin alike that of Uncle Scrooge with an exception of chocolates instead of money (now I’d prefer money..because it can get me chocolates..and clothes..and tickets to Hawaii :D). I wondered how Dora gets to travel the world being so young when I was not even allowed to go to the roof after 8 PM. Cartoons feed my fantasy mind. It makes me wonder on so many levels. They always have this magical element which I always wanted to be real. Yet they are so innocent and touch the dynamics of human life in such a beautiful and candid way.

I particularly love UP because of its sense of humor, spirit of adventure, innocent characters, musical score and a beautiful idea at the core. I remember when I first watched “UP”, I wept like a 4 year old. I think most of the people must have lost it on 2 particular scenes. First, the 2 minutes music sequence which summarized the love life of Mr. Carl Fredrickson. And second, when he finally gets to see the other part of the adventure book and gets heavy on his memories. I also wept when Russel indirectly told Mr. Fredrickson that his dad is not married to his mom anymore. Well movie gives u a lot of moments to let you shed your tears. The love of that 2 minutes musical seemed more beautiful and pure than that of “Romeo and Juliet”. I loved how the couple was totally satisfied with each other, like they didn’t care about any another company. I loved how they laughed with each other, helped each other. Loved how they held their hands and how they completed each other. But most of all I loved how Carl remembered his promise he made to his lady while they were just kids right till the end when he actually fulfills it. It was so naive and cute of a little girl demanding her new friend to cross his heart to complete her adventure. In practical world we’d forget the promises we made as kids. Heck we forget the promises we made just moments ago. But Carl remembered it. He didnt’t let his superficial practical maturity hamper with the innocent ideas of his mind. He went out of his way and energy to do that one thing for a person who is no more to complete the idea of their adventure. Though circumstances made him chose to protect Kevin but nonetheless the promise was fulfilled and he did put efforts (extra ordinary efforts). 

It made me shrink on the idea of promises. When someone gives you their word, you feel a sense of security. You can’t help but expect them to remain stuck with their words. It’s funny how we keep raising expectations of others with generally no intention of keeping them in memory.  When you marry you take vows. Does one even remember what they took oath for? If that is so there are billion people who take vows, break them and take them again..sometimes it’s a loop..sometimes it actually settles somewhere. Politicians and promises go together and we all know how that works out. The word loses its significance. Promises are for the one with conscience, they would mean nothing for the person with none of it. Can we complain? And even if we do, in reality will it forward any action or ignite one? You promised your kid to give a gizmo after a month. If you don't have any arrangement or some situation comes that renders you to provide kid with the toy, doesn't the whole principle of the promise fails? Doesn’t it fail when your friend or beloved says 'I'll be there for you' but many times they are nowhere around when you need them? Reasons could be many maybe you broke up with your beloved; maybe you are now ex-friends. But the point is, the word promise intrinsically is coming with its own terms and conditions. I do appreciate when someone promises and actually fulfills it. It is also appreciable when someone makes efforts to fulfill the promise or at least remember that they promised. But can it always be the case - I don't think so. So don’t shoot random arrows while promising. Promise when you mean it and more importantly keeping in mind that it’s a dynamic world and ever so dynamic time. Some words are too special to use it like a habit - 'love', 'beautiful' and 'promise'.