Caring Actions
The components of a caring act include providing physical, moral, and emotional support. A caring act is characterized by attention given by one person to another and actions taken to make the other person comfortable and safe. It is based on a gratuitous and sincere expression of concern about a situation or condition that is happening to a person. To overcome this condition, it is necessary to contribute to resolving the issue and moving needs. For me, caring is the trouble and action I take toward my loved ones to achieve their well-being and happiness. It means a lot to me because it demonstrates sincere feelings and attitudes towards the object of care. I think the expression of care is a tool for communication within the family and with loved ones, so it is essential to use it properly.
As Good as it Gets is a film in which the three main characters, Carol, Melvin, and Simon, show care or expect it to be delivered to them. Carol is worried about her sick son: she is always alert to his condition and monitors his asthma attacks (Brooks, 1997). She worries even while dating her lover because the child comes first. This is a caring act because Carol reassures and supports the boy in his troubles: this behavior reflects my vision of caring because Carol wants well-being for her son.
Melvin shows concern for her and the child: he pays for the medical costs of the new treatment so that the child can get better. It is a nice behavior because Melvin helps Carol and does not ask for anything (Brooks, 1997). However, this is a selfish show of caring that I do not like: Melvin acts caringly, but not sincerely, and not out of a sincere desire to help Carol’s son. Nevertheless, Melvin cares for the animal – Simon’s dog – and takes care of him, trying to feed him on time and walk him (Brooks, 1997). This is a good example of caring; I think this behavior should be for every animal.
Lack of Caring
Carol does not feel cared for because her son cannot support her due to illness, and her elderly mother does not help either. Carol loves her family, but her many problems remind her of her responsibility. She has no self-control, and no one close to her can help her during tantrums or loss of self-control (Brooks, 1997). During these moments, she feels alone and has no emotional support to take away her thoughts of stress and work. Support and emotional help are important elements of care, but Carol did not receive them fully from her family.
Film Characters
Simon is a man who, like Carol, has not received much care. At the film’s beginning, he was beaten because of his orientation and felt abandoned and lonely. Nevertheless, he is genuine and timid, expressing his feelings cautiously and gently. These qualities give him the rate of a person who can listen and provide support (Brooks, 1997). These are essential components of caring, so I would like Simon to take care of me for a while. He has been susceptible to Carol and his partner. I also want that attitude to be shown to me because it makes me feel comfortable and safe.
Effective Caring Communication
It is worth noting the caring nature of Dr. Liddell, who has come to the rescue of Carol’s son. Melvin has paid for all the costs of his work, but he is not insensitive to a concerned Carol. She does not believe he is prepared to treat her son, but the doctor calmly and thoughtfully reassures her (Brooks, 1997). It was a brief act of caring communication that made Carol feel a little more relaxed, and her son was given hope of overcoming the disease. It was an act of caring because the doctor showed sensitivity towards Carol’s son by paying attention to all aspects of his illness and could pass this information on to Carol. He could remain nonchalant and confidently convey all the information and provide ways to communicate with him (Brooks, 1997). This behavior is an act of caring communication that does not commit to anything more but demonstrates sincere good intentions.
Ineffective Caring Communication
The act of ineffective caring communication is seen after the scene of Carol’s son vomiting. Carol was going to spend time with her lover and try to establish a personal life. She kept up a dialogue with him, trying to show her feelings for him, but she was always thinking of her son. Moreover, when she heard the signs of an attack, she quickly left her lover and went to her son (Brooks, 1997). When she returned, however, she did not attempt to reassure her lover: her embrace was not sincere and did not serve as a hint to continue. Carol acted uncaringly, not trying to apologize or explain her actions. Nor did she do anything to resolve the conflict with the man, preferring to lose him. Carol was not concerned about caring for her lover because she had other things to do. Carol was stingy with her emotions and did not show her sincere feelings.
Reference
Brooks, J. L. (1997). As good as it gets. Sony Pictures Releasing.