Citizenship and a Movie, Essay Example

To me, citizenship in the United States means that I am loyal to my country  and abide by its laws. I am proud of the US and will defend it as best I can whenever needed.  Here every individual is important and the government will go to great lengths to  protect my rights granted to me through the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, which includes being rescued from foreign countries when one is detained there unfairly.  My ethnic and cultural background is that of an Afro-American in Jamaica, which, unlike the US, is a member of the Commonwealth.  Here there are also rights, privileges, and obligations clearly spelled out.  Both countries have made me see that it is a huge privilege to be a citizen of a good country and not to be taken lightly.

My favourite movie is Going in Style, released in 1979.  The main characters are George Burns (Joe), Art Carney (Al), Lee Strasberg (Willie), all retired senior citizens living in tiny New York City apartment.  This film evoked in me nearly every possible emotion.  Up until I saw this movie, I thought, as many others do, that retirees have it made.  They can sleep in and do what they want.  If, however, they live on only social security cheques as this trio does, there are very few exciting and interesting things they can do.  Consequently, they become bored and lonely sitting on park benches.  At least these three had each other for awhile.  I actually rooted for them to carry out a successful bank robbery, a deed they were carrying out to feel at least somewhat useful.  I kept thinking how wasteful and cruel it is to make healthy seniors retire.