BLOG #14
SPOILER ALERT
Click is about workaholic family man Michael Newman (Adam Sandler) and stumbles on a universal remote control the gives him the power to pause or fast-forward through scenes in his life.
In 2006 Adam Sandler’s comedy, Michael Newman is an architect seeking a promotion to become partner at a prestigious firm. Life at home becomes a distraction as he is working long into the night designing a new building to land a potential client. The pressure and stress get to him as he storms out of the house for a late night drive to clear his head.
For all of those who have seen the movie, we know that Michael ends up in Bed Bath and Beyond where he meets Morty (Christopher Walken) and is gifted a universal remote that lets him control and manipulate his life. Michael fast-forwards through arguments with his wife, dinner with his parents, sickness, and the moment he gets promoted.
Michael ends up skipping through years of his life on auto-pilot and ultimately ends up losing a relationship with his family. He gets divorced, misses the death of his father, and watching his kids grow up. The movie takes a dramatic turn from comedy to drama as Michael’s life unravels ultimately dying from a heart attack at his son’s wedding. As his family surrounds him he professes his love for his family and tells his son Ben, “family comes first.”
Although the movie ends with a light-hearted ending. Michael wakes up in a bed from Bed Bath and Beyond as the entire movie was all a dream, or was it? After running home happy to be alive and promising to spend more time with his family by planning a Fourth of July vacation, the universal remote appears to Michael on the kitchen table. A note from Morty reading, “Good guys need a break.”
Reflect on my own life, working long 10 hour days, hustling through the demands of starting a young career, it’s hard to find time for the simple things life has to offer.
How do you balance a demanding work schedule and still have time for the people you love and care about?
Click left me with some sentiments and takeaways.
- Hustle when you are young. Put in the work now when you are single with no kids, spouse, and have less responsibility for other people.
- Realize that you cannot control everything. When we try too hard to micromanage every situation that’s when shit hits the fan. Trust in your process. Do the work, let your mind rest, and repeat. Focus only on the things that you can control!
- There are times to be serious and times to appreciate life’s simple things.
- Show appreciation to your loved ones. We often take for granted the people who love us. Say “I love you” more often. Be spontaneous, generous and kind. It is important to always surprise the people you care about. Go out of your way to show your appreciation.
- Life is a lot like the stock market. It has its up and its downs. Enjoy the good times and embrace its challenges.
- We are not often given second chances, but when you get one seize the moment.
The credits start rolling and one of my favorite childhood songs comes on:
“You only get what you give” by the New Radicals, below is the chorus lyrics. How does it speak to you?
You’ve got the music in you
One dance left
This world is gonna pull through
Don’t give up
You’ve got a reason to live
Can’t forget
We only get what we give
– Jake Beman