Interpersonal Communication - Application Entry

A Walk to Remember (2002). Starring Mandy Moore.


This movie is about a teenage girl named Jamie who has leukemia but does not reveal her sickness until she unexpectedly developed a relationship with a guy who she (and her reverend father) would have never thought that she would fall in love with, an aspect that falls under the third quadrant of the Johari Window. Her peers see her as the reverend's daughter who's too sweet and innocent with an old fashion taste. Since she has usually been picked on by the inner popular crowd she has some insecurities but tries not to let it get to her until she met Landon, a guy who is typically known as a punk. This teenage couple's relationship did not necessarily blossom until the two very different individuals disclosed more details about themselves with each other overtime. Landon was not aware that Jamie had a whole list of things she wanted to accomplish in life from being in two places at once to getting a tattoo. Then of course, Jamie did not know that Landon would develop the compassion to appreciate a girl like herself. The level of intimacy became much stronger after the Jamie and Landon felt a connection while performing for their high school play. Even though Landon no longer had to rehearse lines with Jamie, he became intrigued by Jamie's simplicity --a sense of attraction that got him. He changed from being a jerk that only cared about himself and his rugged reputation to becoming someone that actually cared for others and much less about what his friends thought about him being a religious girl. Throughout the course of the movie, the audience was able to perceive the transformation of each individual's Johari Window as their open arenas became broader and their relationship became stronger as they continued to go out together and most especially when Landon stayed by her side when Jamie had to stay in the hospital. The key to interpersonal communication is about being able to stay open and optimistic about things and for the individuals to support each other through tough times.