A Simple Life

Touching and moving……

A simple but realistic story plot…….

The elements leading to success…….

Finally, I have time to enjoy this award-winning movie A Simple Life.

Roger, a spoiled master who has always been taken well care of, came back home one day, discovering his little loving elderly maid Tao had suffered from stroke.  While he was thinking about hiring a MAID to take care of Tao, Tao claimed that she wanted to move into a nursery home and insisted her decision, saving Roger all the worries and ‘troubles’.

The story goes on to tell the final years of this caring, old, little lady in the nursery home, revealing the respect, love and care of Roger for his ‘maid’.  With exquisite development, Hui reveals how love changed Roger to an attentive godson from a spoiled and careless master.  

One of my favourite scenes is when Roger visited Tao after her stroke.  Tao was unable to eat because she could not control her left hand.  She resorted to eating with her right hand alone but failed.  Not willing to show how clumsy she was, she stopped eating.  We expected Roger to offer to feed Tao, but to our surprise, Roger asked if the food was not tasty.  Funny, huh?  A spoiled and careless master - not even be able to notice why Tao could not eat. 

That’s why we are impressed as Roger became more caring – a result of his love for the tiny maid.

When a resident asked if Roger was Tao’s son, Roger, said ‘no’ without thinking.  We see how disappointed and nervous Tao was.  Being more attentive, Roger noticed Tao’s nervousness and announced that he was Tao’s godson, rather than her young master and Tao immediately revealed a contented and relieved smile.

People, especially the elderly, can be very simple.  They don’t mind sacrificing themselves to make your life easier. They understand your difficulties.  Still they want to be loved and thought of.  Their self esteem comes from how much care they receive. 

Tao insisted that she was moving into a nursery home because she understood Roger was busy and would not be able to take care of her.  Two of the most frequent lines by Tao are ‘That’s okay.’ and ‘Don’t need to come if you are busy.’  She said so to make her young master relieved, as our caring parents and grandparents.  However, don’t trust them.  Visit them even though you are busy.  One or two hours is all they want.

For how many times, we hesitate to show our love and our gratitude.  Recently, I have had one similar encounter.  My sister reminded me the need to show our care to really enlighten the life of those we love.

Thanks, sister.  One reminder for all of us.  We need to be strong and capable.  Only with strength and wisdom, we could take good care of our loved ones.