Memory is a curse

In my film class earlier this week, we watched Citizen Kane, also one of my all-time favourite films.  I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time around, but this time, I was so tired that it became hard to keep my eyes open especially in the first hour, which made me sad– the whole time I was almost nodding off, I kept thinking, “I shouldn’t be falling asleep!  This is one of the greatest movies of all time!  But… must let eyes… rest….  No!  I shouldn’t be sleeping! etc.”

During the second half of the film, there’s a quote that really stood out to me.  It’s said by Leland, Kane’s best friend.  As he describes what happened to him and Kane in the past, he says, “I can remember everything. That’s my curse, young man. It’s the greatest curse that’s ever been inflicted on the human race: memory.”

I really dig that line.  And it’s true.  Sometimes I wish my memory weren’t so good because it constantly winds itself up with details that I know no one else remembers or cares to remember.  And then I go on about those details all day… a curse indeed.  Memory is a curse.