The Real You

Last night I went and saw a movie with my roommates who are moving out. The movie went along with something that I have really been thinking about over the last few days. This movie was called “Penelope.”


For those of you who don’t know, it is the story of a girl who is born with a curse. She has a pig nose and ears. There is a way to break the curse, but I won’t tell you anymore than that. Anyway, because of this curse she is never allowed out of the house because of what people will do and say. I know that this is an extreme example, but isn’t it sad that because of something someone “sees” they are not willing to get to know the real you. She talks with a man through a two-way mirror and they really get to know each other- the real person. He finally gets to look at her, and it doesn't matter that something is different about her physical appearance because he already knows the real person. She finally decides that she needs to leave and sets out to see the world outside her house.

While she is out with her scarf hiding what is different about her, she meets a woman who she becomes friends with. She also finds out about the curse, and doesn't care because she also has already gotten to know the person inside.
The two people who are her real friends are those that look past a physical appearance the see the “real her.” They really got to know her and who she was. Lots of people missed out on meeting an amazing person because of how she looked or what they thought. It makes me sad when people misjudge or say something that isn’t accurate about a person because they don’t really know that person. A lot of people are missing out on some great friendships.
Along the way she also finds out more about herself. She realizes that she likes herself the way that she is. This happens as she realizes that people like her how she is because of who she is, and that even if she didn't have a pig nose and ears, she would still be the same person.
A boy at the end of the movie says a statement that really made me think:
"It's not the power of the curse - it's the power you give the curse."