Justifished

               The film Catfish left me feeling puzzled and a bit freaked out. Apparently, this happens more than we realize, but that fact in itself is unsettling. I am immediately inclined to ponder the reasoning that anyone would deceive another person in the manner Angela did. When I personally try to place myself in her shoes, I can easily sympathize with her as anyone who takes on the responsibility of rearing two kids with severe disabilities. That level of commitment is extremely memorable when you look into present society’s relaxed viewpoint of single parent homes. For the sole reason of wanting to escape all the troubles, I could justify a means of “escaping reality” as she did, but I would have read a book or painted. I guess she tried painting, but it must not have worked. There is obviously something lacking in her love life, and I am not saying that solely due to the interview with her husband. If I was lacking love in the same manner as her, I cannot say that I would not do something similar. Angela has already passed her prime age, and when you are that old with that many responsibilities, its near impossible to rekindle the feelings like that. Angela let a fantasy take over her life, and that was unhealthy.

               The biggest self-conflict I have after watching this pertains to the morality of Angela’s actions. I do think that it is never okay to lie. I do not think, however, that she was completely lying to Nev. She said at some point when she was making amends with Nev that Megan was a part of herself that she never got to show. I can respect that. We all have regrets from not choosing a certain path, but I do believe that we should not be able to rewrite our lives at the expense of someone else’s emotional stability. For that reason, I think Angela is completely wrong in what she did. Her actions were unjustified, regardless of her situation at home. I do also, commend Nev for treating her in such a manner as he did. Nev had the dignity to recognize the emotions and thoughts within Angela, and he was able to “let her down easy.” I feel like it is because of the way Nev ended the romantic side of the friendship, Angela was able to maintain her self-respect and not slump into a depression. Nev is the real MVP in my book, and because of the respect he gave, even when respect was not due, he earned my respect.