When was the last time I watched a movie? I could not remember. But, I remember the good old days when my late dad was the manager of a theatre that I enjoyed a weekly movie during weekend. However, all movies, English, Chinese, Hindu, were approved by dad. Probably because it was free, I preferred reading books over watching movies.
Last night I watched “The Protege”, a Hong Kong Production. Probably, if my late dad would have to give approval, this movie should be the ‘forbidden one’ because of some violent scenes.
The story is nothing new. It is about a drug lord (played by Andy Lau) at the onset of his health problems realized that it is time to find a successor. He chooses a protege, someone whom he trusts and loves, to take over his drugs business. However, the protege (played by Daniel Wu) turns out to be an undercover narcotics agent. The drug lord is being betrayed.
The drug lord takes his own life. And life for the protege is never the same for the thoughts of the betrayal of someone who has loved and trusted him haunted his life.
The movie is surely more than just a story. The question of “meaning of life” raised is profound. Is it the destructive power of drugs that was fearful? Or is it the emptiness of life that was fearful? That was the beginning questions of the movie and the movie ends with the same questions.
What does life mean to you?
Browning said, “Life is an empty dream!”
Shakespeare said, “Life is a walking shadow.”
R. Campbell said, “Life is a dusty corridor, shut at both ends!”
Colton said, “Life is the jailer of the soul in this filthy prison, and its only deliverer is death.”
What empty commentaries! Surely life is more than that!
Hear the inspired words of Paul, “For to me to live is Christ!”
For Paul, his joy, his strength, his all is found in Christ. What thrilling watchword for our heart!