Lessons Learned from (500) Days of Summer

When I saw the previews for this movie two years ago, I immediately wanted to see it. The theme seemed entertaining, and I love the main two characters. After its release many of my friends discouraged me from seeing it because it was very depressing, and I ended up skipping it in theaters. Somehow this movie always seemed to sit on the back burner of my mind. Friends would compare other movies depressing level to 500 Days of Summer. I couldn’t imagine that this movie was so depressing to have such a lasting impression on multiple people. I started to have an inkling suspicious I would actually like this movie after watching Remember Me. My friends debated for a lengthy amount of time, which was sadder. I personally loved Remember Me because it was sad. For me the sad stories are often the most realistic and have more depth.

After being left out of one too many conversations, I decided to judge 500 Days of Summer for myself! I settled down with the perfect movie companion- Rufus the dog. I didn’t want to watch it with anyone else that could sway my reaction. I immediately liked the set up of the movie. At times it was hard to follow when each scene was happening along the 500-day timeline, but Google helped me along. The narrator added a good element of humor and information, along with the time cards. Now I won’t get into the details of the movie, but by the end I was smiling. Yes- elements were sad. It doesn’t necessarily end the way you want, but that is why I liked it. Maybe I didn’t find it depressing because I guessed what the outcome would be.

Too often movies present unrealistic relationships that give people delusional expectations on life in general. When a movie finally presents a real-life relationship, suddenly it’s depressing. I think everyone has had a “Summer” in their life or will at some time. If you haven’t, I don’t know if you should be thankful or not. If you have had a Summer, you learn a lot about the idea of love, relationships and yourself. Summer’s aren’t limited to females. Males are fully capable of pulling a Summer too, maybe even more so. The biggest problem with encountering a Summer is the chance you could become jaded and turn into someone else’s Summer. Confusing? Maybe a little but if you think for a second, it makes sense. Most people don’t start out as emotionally heartless. Something happened in their life that made them doubt the existence of love. A lesson learned from the movie- if you encounter someone who isn’t looking for anything serious and you are, it might be better to just let it go. Unless you want to be like Tom, still pining after Summer seven months after their non-relationship ended. Sad. Another lesson from the movie- Tom learned from his Summer experience and finally let her go. If you haven’t watched the movie, go watch it and take away these two lessons.

In other movie news, go see Midnight in Paris. If you appreciate classic authors, engaging yet funny dialogue and a slew of unexpected events, you will love this movie. It is rightfully being deemed one of Woody Allen’s greatest works, and I absolutely agree!