Essay #6

360° Change

Randall Wallace, director of “Secretariant”, shows through his movie the transformation of Penny’s life regarding three main aspects, profession, family and personality. At the beginning of the movie this main character is shown as a devoted and abnegated housewife; although, a series of events transformed her in a strong, decisive business woman.

The first change that we could see in Penny’s life is related with her family. At the beginning of the movie Penny was a devoted mother and wife, however, when her mother died, her life gave a turn. She started to spend more time handled family business because her father was very sick and he could not be in charge of that. So, she was most of the time out of the house, instated of attending the family activities like her daughter high school performance. Her husband experienced a change too, first he was upset because Penny was all the time out, but at the end he was proud because Penny achieved all her goals.

In Penny’s childhood her father started to teach her the business of the horse racing and everything that it involved. The love to her father made her love horses even more, but later in her life she decided to leave that life style and get married. However, the dead of her mother made Penny assumes the profession of house priding. The turn of 360° that she had in her life converted Penny in a business woman with a strong character, and taking risky decisions, leaving behind his life of housewife and deciding to take her life in her own hands. This caused that her family feels a lack of attention. Consequently, this deteriorated the family relation which happens a lot of the time in the real world.

Another important aspect that changed in Penny’s life is her personality. At the beginning of the movie, this main character seems to be a passive and abnegated person. However, the change of profession made her modify also her attitude towards life. The empowerment she adopted in front of all men in the movie as her husband, brother and employees is evident. Thus, it is clear that this woman confirmed with her acts the strong, decisive and satisfied woman she became. In fact, her first and unique laugh at the end of the movie is used as a symbol that emphasizes her happiness.

This movie shows us an example of how life can change in any moment. Penny used to live a simple life but when her parents died all changed, including her family, profession and personality. She became a different woman with new goals.