There are so many coincidences in this movie. But why it strikes a chord with me is perhaps the two words “what if,” which haunt many people’s mind all their life. What if we were meant to be together? Sophie never knew her kindness to a stranger would bring herself a completely different life. What she wrote to encourage Claire turned out to encourage herself as well. She is braver than Charlie, in my opinion. She traveled across the ocean to show him her heart, just like what Anna did in “Leap Year.” The Sophie in “Howl’s Moving Castle” is also brave, too. (How come all Sophies are so remarkable? I’ll name my daughter Sophie if I do have one in the future.) I hope I can be like them when I meet a man worth for it.
And I love the countryside in Italy so much. I want to go there and stroll through every path and vineyard.
Here are the lines that I love the most. The letter Sophie wrote to Claire, the poem Charlie and Sophie recited together, and how Charlie expressed his love to Sophie.
1. SOPHIE:
I’m sorry, I didn’t know love had an expiration date.
2. SOPHIE & CHARLIE:
Doubt thou stars are fireDoubt that the sun doth move
Doubt truth be a liar
But never doubt I love
3. Dear Claire,
What and If are two words as non-threatening as words can be. But put them together side-by-side and they have the power to haunt you for the rest of your life: What if? What if? What if? I don’t know how your story ended but if what you felt then was true love, then it’s never too late. If it was true then, why wouldn’t it be true now? You need only the courage to follow your heart. I don’t know what a love like Juliet’s feels like – love to leave loved ones for, love to cross oceans for but I’d like to believe if I ever were to feel it, that I will have the courage to seize it. And, Claire, if you didn’t, I hope one day that you will.
All my love, Juliet
4. CHARLIE:
Listen. Listen to me very carefully. I live in London, a gorgeous, vibrant, historic city that I happen to love living in. You live in New York, which is highly overrated... But since the Atlantic Ocean is a bit wide to cross every day, swimming, boating or flying, I suggest we flip for it... And if those terms are unacceptable, leaving London will be a pleasure, as long as you're waiting for me on the other side. Because the truth is, Sophie, I am madly, truly, deeply, passionately in love with you.
I hope you enjoy the movie as well. Maybe one day, I will go to Verona and write to Juliet as well. I wonder if Secretaries of Juliet really exist. Anyway, I hope I can write a joyful letter to Juliet.
