A Thousand Words by Brian Robin - Movie Review Example

Film Analysis This essay seeks to discuss two films: A thousand words directed by Brian Robin and stars Eddie Murphy as Jack McCall. The other is Fools Rush In which is an Andy Tennant directed romantic comedy Film. The movie fools rush in will be discussed in the manner in which it creates a relationship focusing on the communication styles used in the movie. On the other hand a thousand words by Brian Robin will be analyzed on the relationship breakdown perspective using communication. These two films have been chosen because of the following reasons: first the movie A thousand words that stars Eddy Murphy has Jack McCall forced to pick choose the words he uses to communicate with others. This makes his communication very difficult and thus leads to a lot of misunderstandings which negatively affects his relationship with his wife. The second movie, Fools rush in illustrates the creation of a relationship. In this movie communication becomes a problem due to a lot of misunderstanding between the couples. Lots of misinterpretations characterize their relationship situations which threaten their happiness. They are of different cultures but end up attracting and forming a relationship. Communication Communication can be understood as the act of using sounds, words, gestures or signs and behaviors to express one’s ideas or exchange information, thoughts as well as feelings to other people. It is therefore that process by which information exchange takes place between two individuals (Light, Janice, & David McNaughton, 5). In order for one to communicate when they intended, communication process should be effective. Otherwise misunderstandings will occur that will lead to a lot of unnecessary problems. Communication thus should be effective because: it will reduce conflicts between the involved parties, resolve the existing conflict as well as prevent them. Secondly, it will enable an individual get more of what they wanted. As such the individuals are able to achieve their goals. Thirdly, an effective communication enables individuals have a strong relationship which can be personal or corporate and therefore enabling one to understand well others. This implies that one’s emotions and thoughts can be well communicated in a manner that fosters a better relationship. Further, it enables one understand what others too want and therefore enabling them adapt their presentations to match the other parties’. When all this comes to play, people will therefore understand one and like them better due to the effective way of communication fostering a good relationship (Fischhoff, 7- 9). The two movies: “a thousand words” and “fools rush in” both utilizes illustrate how communication can be useful in strengthening or destroying a relationship. The two movies using the various characters have both brought out how important communication is in the relationships that people build. In the movie a thousand words, communication has been brought out as the reason for the breaking of relationship between Jack McCall and his wife although they later reunite. In the movie Fools Rush in, communication plays a critical role in the establishment of the relationship between Alex Whiteman and Isabel. The misunderstandings that occur in the relationship that is the cause for their unhappiness and divorce as well. Communication in the film a thousand words Ebert (1) discusses: Jack McCall who is unable to speak for the fear of death resorts in to very outrageous gestures and other utterances to enable him communicate with the people around him through his life. This leaves Jack’s wife exasperated. This hurts their relationship and Caroline, jack’s wife, chooses to walk out of the relationship. Caroline’s reason for walking out of the relationship is simply because she thinks Jacks silence is due to him stopping to love her. The silence and other conjured communication methods that Jack picks up leads to a lot of misunderstandings. He simply is trying his best not to lose his life by finishing up the one thousand words he had till his death. His wife however does not understand what she does in the name of communicating; his silence as well is misinterpreted for loss of love and therefore leads to his wife walking out. Attempts by jack to reconcile with Caroline are met by hesitations due to disbelief. Communication that was not effective in the relationship between Jack and Caroline thus led to the loss of trust where Caroline could not believe Jack’s story of the magical tree. Miscommunication or misunderstanding affects the relationship when all that Caroline understands is a Man who has lost love for her. Even though Jack tries to make Caroline believe her and trying so much no fight for his life, the conjured communication methods worsens their misunderstandings leading to a break up. “If I say just one more sentence out loud... Ill die.” Said, Jack McCall in the movie a thousand words but his gestures are simple problematic since he claims he speaks from his inner voice which is in his head and not his mouth. The silence changed Caroline’s perspective as well as her attitude about Jack. This was a recipe for relationship destruction. However, towards the end of the movie, Jack McCall after reconciling with his da manages to communicate and this enables his reconciliation with his wife Caroline. Communication in the film Fools Rush In According to Ebert, (1) The film fools rush in gives an extensive illustration of how Alex uses communication to win back his wife Isabel who breaks up with him. Their cultures are different, she is catholic while Alex is a Presbyterian and thus their difference brings a lot of cultural conflicts. This communication style in this movie is a culture that shocks Alex but he has to do all it takes to win back Isabel. Alex is supposed to go back to New York but fails to tell Isabel because he wants to be with her. This hesitation presents a difficult problem into the two due to a conflict of interest on the side of Alex. Secondly, Alex stalls when he is supposed to communicate his marriage to his parents. Isabel lies to Alex that she secured an abortion in an attempt to scare her away. This still does not work for her since all that Alex wanted was to be with her. The three highlighted scenarios give an impression on how communication was used by either of the parties to meet their interest either concealing situation or giving falls information (Pandey, 17). Isabel even gets tearful at some point when asking for the marriage to be called off. She says, "I ask only that you meet my parents… so when the baby comes they can at least say they met you. Their cultural differences lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications that lead to a lot of relationship problems. The misunderstanding s stem from their differences in culture where everything in misinterpreted and as such causes them a lot of fights but Alex does her best to sustain the relationship. Conclusion This essay sought to analyze how communication can be instrumental in making or breaking a relationship in two movies: a thousand words and Fools rush in. as such the paper has learned that effective communication can be instrumental in building a relationship. In the film a thousand words, the essay has found out that lack of effective communication destroys a relationship due to misunderstanding. In the film fools rush in, communication challenges due to cultural differences posed the problems in the relationship. However, in this instances Alex’s does his best despite the misunderstanding to ensure the relationship survives. Works Cited Light, Janice, and David McNaughton. "Communicative competence for individuals who require augmentative and alternative communication: A new definition for a new era of communication?." Augmentative and Alternative Communication 30.1 (2014): 1-18. Fischhoff, Baruch. Communicating Risks and Benefits: An Evidence Based Users Guide. Government Printing Office, 2012. Ebert, Roger. A Thousand Words. 7 Mrch 2012. 20 April 2015 . —. Fools Rush In . 14 Feb 1997. 20 April 2015 . Pandey, Satish. "Using popular movies in teaching cross-cultural management." European Journal of Training and Development 36.2/3 (2012): 329-350. Read More