How would you feel if one day you woke up and could not remember who you were or who you loved? Well, that is the case with Paige and Leo, two main characters from "The Vow." After a tragic accident, Paige, wife of Leo, cannot remember who Leo is and her past memories of her most recent self. Art, which was once her passion, now seems to be a mysterious hobby. Furthermore, her relationship with Leo becomes torn as she gravitates towards the life she knows...the one with her upper-class family and old boyfriend. The permanent damage done to Paige's hippocampus leads Paige to gradually wander off from Leo. Fortunately, when the life between Leo and Paige break off for good, Paige starts to remember little snips of her past life. This, in turn, leads her to make the same actions (dropping out of law school, etc.) and reunite with Leo in the same coffee shop where they had first met. Ultimately (Warning: Spoiler!!!), Leo and Paige get back together again. At the end of the movie, it is revealed that the movie is based on a real life couple where the woman never gains her long term memory back. However, she does continue to live a happy life with her husband and kids.
Personally, I could not imagine being in Paige or Leo's situation. One cannot remember who they were and the other cannot be remembered at all. Although, I would feel that Paige's situation would be much more severe as she cannot recall any of those priceless memories made in the recent/non-recent past. Moreover, it would be quite frustrating to not know or understand who you are and who the most important people are in your life. Comparing long and short term memory, I believe your long term memory is more important. I mean, what would you do if you couldn't remember your place and life in this world and those most important to you? You'd feel frustrated, overwhelmed, scared, and a host of other emotions caused by your inability to remember. If I had to choose between Leo and Paige's situation, I would choose Leo's because it would be more than frustrating not being able to have those precious memories and not knowing who you are. Although there is heartache in Leo's situation, it's not nearly as severe as Paige's. So, if you were to choose between Paige or Leo's situation, whose situation would you choose? And if you were in their situation, how would you (supposedly) feel and handle it? Lastly, do you feel your short term or your long term memory plays a more significant part in your life today?
First off, I didn't care for the movie. It wasn't a "fairytale" ending, which I wanted, but I suppose when comparing it to reality, it's never what we want. I couldn't help myself, while watching the movie, comparing it to 50 first dates. It's a lot like you described above, with the long term memory; I would rather be in Leo's position. I could give up someone I love, if it was best for them, but knowing i'd always have the special memories would be worth it. I could not imagine losing my whole life, except for the first fifteen or so years, so in this case I'd rather have my long term memory.
I honestly could not imagine not being able to remember my loved ones or the things that happened to me. Our memories and experiences are what make us who we are today. Each experience shapes us and makes each individual different. I loved the movie The Vow, but Paige annoyed me at times because of the way she treated Leo, although it was understandable since she had no memory of him. Many movies use memory and memory disorders as a basis for many of their plot such as this one, The Notebook, and 50 First Dates among others. I can’t imagine not being able to remember a chunk of my life, especially one that was so defining as the one Paige forgot; however, I think I might choose to be in Paige’s situation because she basically got a fresh start and was able to relive her life after finding out what mistakes she had made prior to her accident. In my opinion, long-term memory plays the most significant role in my life.
As stated above, The Vow and 50 First Dates are two good examples of how memory loss makes for good love stories. Our last test actually focused on the broad idea of memory, even looking at the different kinds of memory loss that occur. In the Vow, Paige remembered her high school years and relationship with her previous boyfriend, but forgot about her new life with her husband. This information indicates that she might be displaying retrograde amnesia, in which she does not have the ability to recall past events. Retrograde amnesia first affects one's most recent memories, so it is likely for people to remember their childhood or slightly older, as Paige did in this movie. As for the situation that I would rather be in, I would have to go with Paige's. Leo suffers immensely because there is no guarantee that Paige will ever come back to him. Meanwhile Paige does not know anything different from how she is now (after her memory loss). I find memory to be an extremely interesting topic, as it is something that many people just take for granted. I couldn't imagine losing either long term or short term. In class we talked about how long term memory connects the past and present. If I would have to choose, I would say long term memory is more significant because it has really made me learn from past experiences and has helped me develop into the person I am today.
As stated above, The Vow and 50 First Dates are two good examples of how memory loss makes for good love stories. Our last test actually focused on the broad idea of memory, even looking at the different kinds of memory loss that occur. In the Vow, Paige remembered her high school years and relationship with her previous boyfriend, but forgot about her new life with her husband. This information indicates that she might be displaying retrograde amnesia, in which she does not have the ability to recall past events. Retrograde amnesia first affects one's most recent memories, so it is likely for people to remember their childhood or slightly older, as Paige did in this movie. As for the situation that I would rather be in, I would have to go with Paige's. Leo suffers immensely because there is no guarantee that Paige will ever come back to him. Meanwhile Paige does not know anything different from how she is now (after her memory loss). I find memory to be an extremely interesting topic, as it is something that many people just take for granted. I couldn't imagine losing either long term or short term. In class we talked about how long term memory connects the past and present. If I would have to choose, I would say long term memory is more significant because it has really made me learn from past experiences and has helped me develop into the person I am today.
This was a very good example of someone demonstrating memory loss. I did enjoy this movie and would definitely watch it again. As for whose position I would rather be in, I would probably choose to be in Paige's situation as I could remember somethings and then my "husband" would have to fight for my love again, but that is just my opinion. Plus I couldn't imagine how it would feel for Leo to suffer her forgetting him and her thinking she is still in love with her ex. If I were definitely Leo, I would not give up and if I were Paige, I would have trusted what Leo said more than she did in the movie. Lastly, I definitely believe long term memory has played a more significant role in my life as I seem to use it everyday!