What is meant by this quote?

[Aqualim]

It's from the multi-strand film, Look Both Ways, where Nick states;

“Poverty. War. Natural disasters. Then back to the mini bar”

The study guide I read it from says it presents his cynicism, but how does it do so?

[m@tty]

I haven't seen the film, but just from that statement I get this:

He just takes the prominent world issues mentioned in his stride, he is unsympathetic, hardened and indeed cynical in his view on life, and his place in the world. As he feels disjoint, for whatever reason (you probably know - perhaps he even strives to remove himself from such issues due to his own past), from these issues he easily and readily dismisses them, preferring to indulge himself in a minibar.

I don't know if that is congruent with his representation in the film, but from that short line this is my picture of such a person.

EDIT: This only if the study guide is correct in saying it attests to his cynicism, otherwise it could have been said in sarcasm or as a "go help then come back and rest" thing...

[Aqualim]

Yeah that sounds about right, he is a photojournalist, so I suppose he experiences a great amount of trauma through the disturbing photos he takes, and therefore to remain 'sane' he drinks alcohol - which is evident in the film. Thank you

Also got another one, This is some wise words of wisdom from Joan (Nick's Mother - keeping in mind Nick's dad has died from cancer and Nick has been diagnosed with cancer);

“Everybody has to find a way to face their own death, and life”

[m@tty]

This one isn't so clear to me...

The death part is fairly straight forward, you need to come to terms with the fact that you are going to die -- which in Nick's case may be imminent -- and move on.

The reference to life, however, is quite ambiguous in my eyes and, having not seen the film, I don't know which interpretation is relevant..

These are a few ways I have come up with:

• It is a logical progression, as the end looms people reminisce of their life past, and in this time must accept what they have done.
• Life is a pain, akin to death. Many try and elude the call to steer their life in a meaningful path, hiding in complacency. They need to shoulder their burden and face the fact that they have a life of opportunity and can change things; and it is their duty to improve the world

I don't know, maybe I read too much into it :/

 

[stonecold]

I think the life component in the second quote could be directly related to a few of the characters.
-Nick, struggles to deal with the past, and continuously has flashbacks to smoking, microwaves etc.  which shows he has regrets in his life.
-Andy can't deal with his own life as a failed father, a failed husband and a failed boyfriend.  He deals with this by taking out his frustrations on the world by being overly cynical.

I'm sure there is something for Meryl and Phil as well, but yeah just try and find some examples.  I'm not even doing this film and I know more about it than my current text.  FAIL!