The Painted Veil
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The Painted Veil is directed by John Curran (We Don't Live Here Anymore) based on W. Somerset Maugham's novel. The book has been adapted for the screen by Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia). This extraordinary movie deals with the ways in which a marriage in ruins is slowly and inexorably repaired as two disappointed individuals struggle in an alien and dangerous environment to find common ground and the love that has so far eluded them. The second half of The Painted Veil is filled with surprises that come from each character as they make decisions which show their resilience in the face of death and danger.[1]
[edit] View from Nowhere
[edit] Other Views from Nowhere
Dialogues from the film “The Painted Veil” -
Near the beginning of the movie, a conversation by a flower shop, shortly after they first met...
Walter: Do you like flowers? Kitty: Not particularly, no. Well, I mean yes. But we don't really have them around the house. Mother always says “Why purchase something you can grow for free?” But then we don't really grow them either. That seems silly really. To put all that effort into something that's just going to die.
Near the end of the movie, a conversation in a flower shop, after Walter's passing away...
Kitty: (Looking at flowers) They‘ll die in a week. It’s hardly worth the cost. What do you think? Walter (son of Walter above, named after him): I think they are quite nice. Kitty: Really? I think you are right. (She buys some flowers.)
Comments: Kitty's husband Walter had tended to mortal (of course) patients, and was infected and killed by Cholera. The ones we care about are like fragile mortal flowers too. In Buddhism, the offering of flowers reminds us of the transcience of life. But this does not mean we become complacent to life - we should treasure it instead, but with as little attachment as possible. This takes practice.[2]
THE DILIGENT PRACTITIONER OF DHARMA is always mindful of the transience of life, for we have no idea what is going to happen in the future or when we will die. By contemplating how or when death will come, we learn to appreciate the impermanence of life, and to develop a sense of renunciation. In this way, we become less involved in mundane attachments.
It is like planning a move from one geographical location to another. A wise person cultivates an attitude that accepts the idea, then plans the change skillfully, doing important chores ahead of time, so that at his new house everything will be ready and waiting. Once he arrives, he will be less concerned about the home he has left and more able to concentrate on settling down.
In the same way, realizing how short and temporary this life is allows us to devote more energy to practicing the Dharma. This is a more fruitful undertaking than being obsessed with material pleasures, for a time is going to come when none of these possessions can be claimed. Indeed, a time will come when we cannot take along even one strand of hair.
Our friends may be willing to help us now, but in the future, not they, or any possessions or wealth will have a chance to help us. Our position as Dharma practitioners is very rare, for even famous and rich people may not have the opportunity that we have. Because our lives are limited, we should regard the Dharma and the spiritual master as very, very precious.[3]
