When I Smile My Eyes Close

The movie "When I Smile My Eyes Close" begins on a mundane note, portraying the life of its teenage protagonist, who remains unnamed throughout the film. She is a high school student, but her monotonous days blend together seamlessly, devoid of any excitement or sense of adventure. However, what might be considered an even more peculiar aspect of her life is her apparent inability to dream. According to the protagonist, dreams are a luxury she has never experienced or perhaps has simply forgotten. Her thoughts on this matter are echoed by her mother, who seems to accept her daughter's condition without much concern. The mother even goes so far as to suggest that her daughter's lack of dreams might be a blessing, as it allows her to appreciate the beauty of the world around her without the emotional burdens that come with remembering vivid nighttime visions. The camera pans through the protagonist's daily routine, capturing the dullness of her waking life in stark detail. Her interactions with others are limited, and she appears to be somewhat disconnected from the people and surroundings that are supposed to bring joy to her life. Her mother's attempts to engage her daughter in conversations about dreams, though well-intentioned, only serve to exacerbate the protagonist's sense of isolation. As the day progresses, time begins to pass at an increasingly accelerated rate. The protagonist becomes more and more disconnected from her surroundings, and her perception of reality starts to become distorted. She finds herself moving through different rooms and spaces without any clear recollection of how she arrived there or where she is headed. Her actions become almost dreamlike, as if she is no longer fully present in her own body. This sudden shift in the protagonist's reality is mirrored in her growing awareness of the beauty that has been present all along, but has gone unnoticed by her until now. She begins to see the world around her in a more vibrant light, filled with colors and textures that she had previously failed to appreciate. Her interactions with others, though still limited, take on a more significant meaning as she starts to reconnect with the people and places that were once so distant from her. The film's title, "When I Smile My Eyes Close," takes on a new meaning in the context of the protagonist's newfound appreciation for life. Her smiles are no longer just a result of her forced interactions with others or an attempt to pass the time. Instead, they are genuine expressions of joy and gratitude, born from a deeper connection to the world around her. The film's climax is less about a dramatic revelation or a dramatic turning point and more about the protagonist's increasing awareness of the beauty that has been present all along. It is a subtle but powerful statement about the importance of living in the present moment, of appreciating the small details that can often go unnoticed. As the day draws to a close, the protagonist finds herself back in her own body, albeit one that is now imbued with a sense of purpose and wonder that was previously missing. Her newfound appreciation for life is accompanied by a growing understanding of her own limitations, as well as the realization that her apparent lack of dreams was not a curse, but rather a blessing in disguise. The film's final shot is of the protagonist's eyes, which are now closed in a peaceful slumber. As the camera lingers on her face, it becomes clear that the protagonist's sleep is not the same as it was before. This time, her dreams will not be dull or inconsequential, for she has learned to appreciate the beauty of her waking life, and that knowledge will only continue to grow as she enters the world of her dreams.