WORRY: “Would it help?”
Rarely do movies cross the Boundaries of Entertainment into the uncharted territories of Self-Examination. So, with this in mind and for your consideration, I propose the following clip from the movie BRIDGE OF SPIES.
It is called-
"Crossing" (2015) Tom Hanks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsHjwjM7XK4
SUMMARY:
Attorney James Donavan (Tom Hanks) was appointed as Rudolf Abel’s (A convicted Soviet KGB spy) legal counsel. After convincing the judge to spare Abel from the death penalty, because he was serving his country honorably, he was entrusted with negotiating the release of a convicted CIA pilot. Not sure if the Soviets will honor or treat Abel as a traitor, tension builds with every step on the Glienicke Bridge as the two walk towards Checkpoint Charlie, where the swap is to take place.
DIALOGUE:
Donovan (deeply concerned for Abels safety) : “What do you think will happen when you get home?”
Abel (making light of the situation), “I think…I’ll have a vodka.”
Donovan, (chuckling), “Yeah”…But, Rudolf, is there not a possibility-”
Abel (interrupting); “That my people are going to shoot me?”
Donovan; “Yes.” (turning to look at Rudolf), “You’re not worried?”
Abel (straight faced, eyes fixed forward while continuing to walk forward, unflinching responds, “Would it help?”
DISCUSSION:
That phrase “Would it help?” was delivered by Abel several times during Spielberg’s film creating a psychological impact on the Watcher, and turning an espionage Cold War thriller into a gripping character study of steel it takes to be a spy (on either side). Those 3 words. as a Roger Ebert review aptly expresses, “captures the arc of a man who is caught up in something bigger than himself and somehow rises to the occasion.”
QUOTES ON WORRY:
"Worry is like a rocking chair: it gives you something to do but never gets you anywhere."
– Erma Bombeck
"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow".
– Unknown
“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”
– Corrie Ten Boom
“Worry pretends to be necessary but serves no useful purpose” – Eckhart Tolle
“If the problem can be solved- why worry? If the problem cannot be solved- worrying will do you no good.” –Shantideva
“Whatever is going to happen will happen, whether we worry or not.”
–Ana Monnar
P.S. Yet, we still worry…. And, it doesn’t help. Does it?
B.P.S. Witnessing Abels nonchalant response under dire circumstances forces the Watcher to unconsciously take Self-Inventory. Call it Impulsive Introspection or Compulsory Empathy- either way it’s the involuntary Looking WITHIN …From the Lookout Post.