Impressions after watching "3 Idiots"! I intermittently finished watching Aamir Khan's highly-rated film "3 Idiots", and I must say, it makes one ponder deeply. Let me share my thoughts:
Idiot? It's not you, nor is it me; it's the person who doesn't understand what life truly is.
Strictly speaking, I've only watched two Bollywood films. One was the earlier "Slumdog Millionaire," and the other is "3 Idiots." I always thought that Bollywood movies were just typical Indian productions, not worth watching. However, after seeing these two films, I realized I was wrong. Over the years, Bollywood has developed its own identity, blending various influences with their unique cultural elements. Their movies are infused with genuine emotion rather than mere advertisements.
Now, when I look at China, despite all the big-name directors and huge investments in films, none have given me such an impression. Movies like "Lost in Thailand" might elicit a few laughs and some fleeting reflections, but they're filled with nonsense, satire, and even a sense of disdain for migrant workers. On the other hand, "3 Idiots" made me cry for the first time while watching an inspirational movie. The Indians moved me.
Initially, when I saw the title of this movie, I dismissed it with disdain. But later, after reading reviews, I decided to give it a try. Although the movie contains numerous parodies of American TV shows and various knock-offs, each main character left a vivid impression on me. Except for the female lead named Pia (because her name is the shortest), I couldn't remember the others' names. However, the unconventional guy always surprises everyone because he lives for his interests and passions. He tops the class without rote memorization and manages to assist in childbirth without any medical training (though experts would spot procedural errors). He's smart, knows how to be honest, yet steals exam papers for his friends, risking expulsion.
I know that such a person probably doesn't exist in real life. When his friends find the rich kid he impersonated, complete with photos and degree certificates, I thought it was going to be a fairy tale. The god-like figure seemed unreal, just passing through their lives to save them. But the story didn't unfold as I imagined. They found him — the legendary scientist with 400 inventions who now teaches children in a small town school.
Alright, maybe I'm too conventional and can't keep up with their thinking. I can't accept the portrayal of such a nearly perfect person, but the movie manages to make this character believable and relatable. That’s one of the successes of Bollywood cinema.
In real life, I can't be as carefree as the protagonist, nor do I possess such abilities. My interests and passions don't drive my life. Sometimes, I feel like a slave to life. Perhaps I'm like the two friends of the protagonist, needing guidance or a beacon to light the way. One friend once jumped from a building due to the pressures of life. Yet, the same reality woke him up: "A kilo of okra and half a kilo of free cream could wake him up, so why sacrifice myself?"
Alright, I won't harm myself. Not because I lack pressure, but because I lack the courage. I still realize that living gives me opportunities, while dying takes everything away. And isn’t the dean in the movie exactly what we all despise? Rote education, traditional thinking, which drove his own son to death and the helicopter-building student to despair. When the protagonist makes the helicopter fly, I almost cheered for the student, but when the helicopter rises to his window, he's already hanging by a rope. I heard recently that someone at a school committed suicide. Why does this happen every year? Why do people abandon their chances? Because they haven't figured out why they're living.
After watching this movie, I estimate I won't watch another film for a long time. Most films disappoint me within ten minutes, filled with clichés, boredom, absurdity, and things that irritate. Truly, a good movie makes one think deeply.
I want to live, to live well, and to live for my interests and passions.
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This translation captures the essence and tone of the original Chinese text while adapting it into natural English prose.