11. "RE: My take on NJ and Sherry" In response to In response to 8
>The "cause and effect" aspect of the film got me. >Especially NJ and his first girlfriend. It actually >challenged my personal beliefs...specifically, the time when >NJ told his ex that (something like): If I made a different >choice, life would've been different, but in the end it's >all the same. > >I do feel personally that there's points in life that you'll >get to no matter what path you took to get there, but I >don't see it as not making a difference as how NJ put it.
In the answering maching message that NJ leaves Sherry earlier in the film he states that upon reflecting on his reasons for leaving, they all seem silly, however when he actually meets up with her his reasons become more clear to him (and us). Sherry and her family were pushing him into a career that he didn't want. He resented it and left. Eventually life (whether it be his current wife, his family situation, or society in general) has pushed him into a career he doesn't necessarily like and he still is left with a feeling of emptiness.
As for the love aspect of it, I think it has to do with fantasy versus reality. Who doesn't have the image of the ideal significant other? NJ has spent 30 years romanticizing his memories of Sherry. There's no doubt he loved her (and still does) but I think he realizes she wasn't as perfect as he liked to remember her and that he probably wouldn't be much happier with her than he is with his current wife