The Wisdom of "You've Got Mail"

I'll admit it: I'm a sap. I really truly enjoy watching some "chick flicks." Namely those that are actually done in good taste and have a plot, but especially You've Got Mail. I really think that Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks give so much hope for those of us who are still looking for love, but I mostly like it because of all of the wise and entertaining lines that are dispersed throughout the film.

"I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils, if only I knew your name and address." Lines like these make you truly appreciate the simple things in life. Obviously you can't just go to a floral shop and ask them to send your loved one a bouquet of sharpened pencils (or even if you can, they'd probably look at you very inquisitively and judgmentally). However the entire message centered around this simple line from an e-mail is to look around. Pay attention to the little memories that come your way when some seemingly insignificant sensory experience jogs that corner of your brain where a memory resides. Learn to be observant in the world around you, and you will eventually become very wise.

"Don't they know you're supposed to have a last name? It's like they're an entire generation of cocktail waitresses!" I think I read a little more into this line than most people ever would (or even the writer meant), but I really like the way it points out that people from the younger generations (like myself) can be so shallow! If people my age were more willing to put some thought into what they do and say, they would be a lot better off.

"The Godfather is the I Ching." Okay, so this may not make a lot of sense, but I, too, have recently discovered the wisdom of Don Coreleone and the lessons he can teach. Every single question in life can somehow be answered by the Godfather. For instance, when Kathleen in You've Got Mail has troubles with her shop, Joe tells her to "Go to the mattresses." Sometimes you need to fight for what you believe in, and although it won't always work in your favor, if you go to the mattresses, you will always win in one way or another.

The other seemingly inconsequential thing that I get from You've Got Mail is the need for us to support our local businesses so the conglomerates don't take over the world. Sure, I like to shop at Wal-Mart as much as the next guy, but I still think we all need to support the small businesses because that's what makes the backbone of our country and our way of life! If you'll notice in the frame below, the three Fox's are cha tting over coffee about the success over there store, and in the grandfather's newspaper is a picture of A dolf Hitler. It's very subtle, but it's there nonetheless. What do you get out of this?

In a completely different tone, have you ever noticed that when Annabelle is throwing rings at the ring toss, the one she throws is pink and the one that makes it on the milk bottle is green??? It's true! Check it out!!! Amy showed me this one.

Do you have any favorite "wisdom" movies? If so, I'd love to hear about them!