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Movie Review: It could happen to you

Kishore C.S. (April 2002)

I happened to watch this movie recently on my friend's recommendation. 

Movie is quite good with a simple story. A good cop known for his good natures, buys a lottery ticket when he is nagged by his wife who always wants more money. He gives a word to a waitress to give half of his lottery earning as tip in a casual manner. That night he discovers that he won 4 million dollars for the lottery ticket. He keeps his word and gives 2 million dollars to waitress who happened to just go bankrupt. It changes life of both. Cop's wife relishes the riches and spends lavishly whereas the cop wants a simple and happy life. He gradually gets attracted to the waitress.  Cop's wife wants divorce and goes to court wanting entire 4 million dollars even when cop is willing to give his share of money without any contest.  She wins the case and both cop and waitress loose entire money. But they still love each other and are still pure at heart. This goodness gets properly rewarded as everyone in city and country donate money to the couple in recognition of their goodness. 
I wondered what made me like the movie so much. 
Many times we find people/organizations are generous in their donations to charitable organizations.  Many times these donations come after they have taken care of themselves first. In this movie circumstances are so compelling that one will feel cop keeping entire 4 millions dollars to himself will be the right thing to do to make his wife happy. But he goes extra length to extend 2 millions dollars just to keep his word. No one can imagine doing such a thing other than in a 'fairy tale'. This is a goodness that very few can actually do or experience. 
Unselfishness of a single person can make a big impact and that is the main thing I liked in this movie. When one can be unselfish and take care of others needs before one's own needs then it is truly a divine quality and very inspiring. 

This simple movie gave me simple inspiration that is so often conveyed in spiritual books.

I remember reading a moral story which conveys same message:

Once upon a time there was a poor family which found it very hard to earn their food. The family is starving for days and finally manages to get some food on a particular day. As the family was preparing to eat their meager food a person comes there asking for food. 'Serving Guest' is important and head of family gives up his share of food and feeds the guest. The guest still feels hungry. Then wife also gives up her share of food. Still guest feels hungry. Then even the children give up their share of food for the sake of serving the Guest. After that the Guest who is God in human form grants them with everything for their 'unselfishness'.