A short YouTube video/skit (uploaded by Daniele Penna) dramatizing a man named Hugh Newman who goes around offering compliments and validating strangers—making them smile—culminating in an encounter at the Department of Motor Vehicles where a woman (Victoria) reveals Hugh previously helped her sick mother recover her smile. Themes include kindness, validation, and the transformative power of simple compliments.
Chapters
I'm here to get validated. You. You are awesome. Excuse me? You have an amazing face. You've got powerful features, man. Anyone ever tell you that? Um, no. Listen, you look a little down, and it may seem like sometimes people don't understand you, but someday, man, someday, people are gonna see you. What? You really are. You. You really think so? Absolutely. You are great.
Any validation, please.
You. You are great. Ma', am, you have amazing cheekbones. Really? Sir? Yes? We have a situation where. Six months old. What the hell's going on? You've been through it. You know, you've had so much life experience that other people don't appreciate, but, you know, bless you, dear. They're not patronizing the shops. They're just coming to see him. Oh, Sir. In great shape. You work out? Not for long. I do, actually. Yeah. Thanks. Young man, we are running a business here, not a social club. That is a fantastic suit. It really flatters you. You think so? You guys work so hard. You are the backbone that keeps this place running. But I always felt like no one really appreciated it. Yeah, I mean, our jobs are so stressful. It seems like most of the times, people just don't see it. No. What you do is so important. You know, I bet the bus wouldn't. I love to meet you. You are great. You provide hundreds of jobs sustaining hundreds of families. That's huge. That's so good to hear. Most times I feel like people don't recognize that I'm just the big bad man on the hill. Not at all. You give. Oh, my love. You know, I know some people who would probably like to meet you. Mr. President, no matter what people say about you, you have still got a great golf swing. God bless you. If you have a fantastic mustache, I bet Burt Reynolds and Tom Selleck look at you and get envious. I'm not kidding. Thank you. You're welcome.
Hugh Newman, a man who is changing the world with free parking and free compliments.
New leaf. A very big new leaf. Your license is expired. S. That is why you're great at what you do. You are so thorough. Really? You think so, Hugh?
What is your secret?
I just love to see people smile.
It seems there is no one Hugh Newman cannot make smile.
Next. Welcome to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Now third A.
No one smiles in their driver's license photo, sir. It's not allowed.
Next. Next. You are amazing. You are so efficient. Next. Victoria. Oh, that's a beautiful name. Next. You take such good care of your equipment. Aw, they're lucky to have you.
We're close, sir.
Victoria, I just want to see you. Sm.
Good night, sir.
Where do I go for.
We don't validate, sir.
Next. They match your eyes. Sorta. Oh, you have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
Next.
You eat healthy too. See? You take good care of yourself. That's awesome. See? You're even a great pet owner. You've given her a full hours walk. Most people wouldn't take the time. But you care. Oh boy, do you care. Have you ever smiled? Yes. When?
When I was a little girl.
Oh, I bet you had a beautiful smile. What happened to it? Look like anyone you know? Next. There's color and black and white. Next. Next. I just wanted to see you smile.
I'm sor.
Next. I'm here to get validated, please. You're okay, I guess. Okay? Did you say okay? Yeah. You're fine. Don't you have anything else to say? What's the point? Hey, excuse me. Excuse me. Did you take our picture? Thanks. I really appreciate it.
It's our first time here.
Smile. It's not a real smile. You guys love each other. You're on vacation, traveling the world. God, that's great. Wish I could travel the world with the woman I love. Wish I could have someone take our picture and really smile. You guys have ever every reason to smile. You're gorgeous in the prime of your lives. You guys are great. Hold it right there. Now that is a smile. Hey, one more, one more. Right here. Oh, that's excellent. One more, one more. Beautiful, beautiful. Here. Look at each other. Oh, fantastic couple. What do you love most about your wife? She accepts me despite knowing where did you meet? On jury duty. Oh. Served your country, met the love of your lives. You guys are awesome. Beautiful. Beautiful. Nice meeting you. Okay, bye. Excuse me. You get the most sincere smiles out of people I've ever seen. You want to make some extra money shooting stuff like this? Pardon me, folks. Sorry to interrupt. You're a beautiful couple. No, no. Would you like to be? You have two of the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
Excuse me?
Your eyes. They're gorgeous. You're gorgeous. And your dress matches your eyes perfect, ma'. Am. Okay. What do you love most in all the world? My daughter.
She has the most wonderful sm.
Hello. Out of 310 cleaning. Hugh Newman. Hello, Hugh. Can you just put your driver's license on there when you're done? Sure. Thank you. How did you. You're smiling. Excuse me, sir. Where's Victoria? You know, work here? She was fired. Fired? Why? You were filing. Look at this. She did these. Look at that. They're all smiling. Look at that. Those pictures suck. They're not supposed to smile. Where is she? Oh, really?
You are awesome.
Thank you.
You're gonna have so much fun on this trip. The stories you're gonna tell people when you get back will be amazing.
I can't wait.
I've always wanted to see.
I don't understand. I tried everything. What happened?
When I was a little girl, my mother got very sick. And she stayed that way. And over the years, she just got so sad that she forgot how to smile. And seeing her like that, I couldn't smile either. And I didn't for years. But then one day, a young man came up to her and told her how beautiful she was. So beautiful that he wanted to take her picture. He made her smile. And suddenly, after all those years, she got better. I knew it was you. I looked everywhere for you, but I couldn't find you anywhere. I went to every garage in town. I paid every fee they had, but I couldn't find.
You paid for parking for me?
Yes. Because you are great. You are amazing.
No one has ever said that about me before. Sam. Sa. A.
