(500) Days of Summer

[SadandConfusedWA]

I liked the movie but I hated both characters with passion.

 

I felt like Tom got what he deserved in the end. He was weak, superficial, ineffective and bland. I am disgusted by men like that, who let women boss them around and treat them like c$%^ while they beg for more. He was completly infatuated with Summer even before he knew that she liked that Smith's song.

 

Summer was annoying as hell. I found her overly-cheery and hyperactive, not very intelligent and vapid. All the things she said that were supposed to come across as "fun" were just dumb. The only thing she had going for her were looks.

 

If the movie ended with them falling in love, it would make me . But because the ending was realistic, it kind of salvages the movie for me. That, and the non-linear structure.

 

I watched it with my brother who basically said that he couldn't even find Summer pretty because he was so annoyed by her personality and blank stare. I was impressed that he thought that as I feel that most men would love a girl like Summer.

 

Also, all their hipster references were kind of thrown in and completly lacked depth.

[CaliGuy]

I liked the movie but I hated both characters with passion.

 

I felt like Tom got what he deserved in the end. He was weak, superficial, ineffective and bland. I am disgusted by men like that, who let women boss them around and treat them like c$%^ while they beg for more. He was completly infatuated with Summer even before he knew that she liked that Smith's song.

 

Summer was annoying as hell. I found her overly-cheery and hyperactive, not very intelligent and vapid. All the things she said that were supposed to come across as "fun" were just dumb. The only thing she had going for her were looks.

 

If the movie ended with them falling in love, it would make me . But because the ending was realistic, it kind of salvages the movie for me. That, and the non-linear structure.

 

I watched it with my brother who basically said that he couldn't even find Summer pretty because he was so annoyed by her personality and blank stare. I was impressed that he thought that as I feel that most men would love a girl like Summer.

 

Also, all their hipster references were kind of thrown in and completly lacked depth.

 

Hmmm.

 

Well I liked the movie because I could relate to a lot of things. I've been that far down in the hole as Tom was, but not because I was wuss. It was because I wasn't ready to give up until I felt I had done everything that I could control.

 

The second time around with a similar, terrible girl it was much easier to handle. (Kick her to the curb, move on. Such is life.)

 

And I don't think most men would want a girl LIKE Summer. One who looks like her, yes, but not one who ACTS like she does, especially when it comes to relationships.

[Chrome Barracuda]

I saw this movie a while back and loved it. I really took toms side. I knew what it was like always pining after a chick who wanted nothing to do with you. I just wished that along the way after he saw how summer treated him especially in the bar he would gain more self respect.

 

I mean also he didnt have great friends who gave him an objective view of things. He was a loner.

 

Summer was a trollop, skeezer. I dont understand how your showered affection from one great man but the next dude you meet, you fall in love, when you proclaim you dont believe in it in the first place. Hypocrite much summer?

 

I truly thought tom got the raw end of the stick but you know he evolved too, he was going for that big job interview and was starting to take control of his life.

 

and he met the most smoking hottest chick who was digging him in the lobby, ironically her name was autumn! lol.

 

She looks ten times way better than summer ever did with that weird ass big eyes, and flat attitude. I really dont see how she was hot anyways.

 

I would have kicked the bitch to the curb. But tom got the happy ending and summer did too. So it worked out for both of them. I guess.

[zengirl]

I mean also he didnt have great friends who gave him an objective view of things. He was a loner.

 

He wasn't a loner. He had those 2 good male friends. And the random little girl (his sister?). Now, granted, those are only 2 friends, but it's a movie and cast expenses being what they are.

[SnowAngel3]

I just watched this yesterday and I loved it. It is very realistic about how relationships can turn out and the message was ultimately uplifting. Summer reminds me of my ex. My ex also has that aloofness now that I think about it. I identified with Tom's character, was crazy about my ex and thought I loved him, but turned out that we weren't on the same page and he was never as serious about me.

 

Also, that part about how you can't just be blinded by the good times you had together, you also have to remember the bad times too...is so true. When you first break up, you think about all those good times and you miss them so much, but then you start to remember all those little "warning" signs.

[shadowplay]

I liked the movie but I hated both characters with passion.

 

I felt like Tom got what he deserved in the end. He was weak, superficial, ineffective and bland. I am disgusted by men like that, who let women boss them around and treat them like c$%^ while they beg for more. He was completly infatuated with Summer even before he knew that she liked that Smith's song.

 

Summer was annoying as hell. I found her overly-cheery and hyperactive, not very intelligent and vapid. All the things she said that were supposed to come across as "fun" were just dumb. The only thing she had going for her were looks.

 

If the movie ended with them falling in love, it would make me . But because the ending was realistic, it kind of salvages the movie for me. That, and the non-linear structure.

 

I watched it with my brother who basically said that he couldn't even find Summer pretty because he was so annoyed by her personality and blank stare. I was impressed that he thought that as I feel that most men would love a girl like Summer.

 

Also, all their hipster references were kind of thrown in and completly lacked depth.

 

It's funny how often we agree on people. ;)

[SadandConfusedWA]

Hmmm.

 

Well I liked the movie because I could relate to a lot of things. I've been that far down in the hole as Tom was, but not because I was wuss. It was because I wasn't ready to give up until I felt I had done everything that I could control.

 

The second time around with a similar, terrible girl it was much easier to handle. (Kick her to the curb, move on. Such is life.)

 

And I don't think most men would want a girl LIKE Summer. One who looks like her, yes, but not one who ACTS like she does, especially when it comes to relationships.

 

Caliguy,

 

Sorry if I offended you. Tom exibited doormaty behaviour that I didn't find appealing. A stronger man would tell Summer to f%^& off a lot earlier. I can see that it's easy to fall into that trap when you really like someone. I was pretty much the female version of Tom in my early 20's - but not anymore.

 

You sound like you have learned from your experiences too.

[CaliGuy]

Caliguy,

 

Sorry if I offended you. Tom exibited doormaty behaviour that I didn't find appealing. A stronger man would tell Summer to f%^& off a lot earlier. I can see that it's easy to fall into that trap when you really like someone. I was pretty much the female version of Tom in my early 20's - but not anymore.

 

You sound like you have learned from your experiences too.

 

No, don't be sorry at all. It was my own "Doormatty" behavior that caused me to find this place and learn a hard-core lesson in how to be a man (in addition to "No More Mr Nice Guy" the book).

 

It's just -- the movie had so, so, so many correlations to what happened to me in real life (twice, actually, one right after the other, though the second time it was much easier to handle and move on).

 

There are plenty of men here who have gone through the same thing and have not learned anything. That is why I often recommend the "No More Mr Nice Guy" book because it shows you how to BE a man and when to pull chocks and move on when it's plainly obvious that you should do so.

 

Cheers

[that girl]

I never really thought of Tom as a doormat. What really stood out to me was how little attention he paid to this woman he was supposedly in love with. Sure, he wanted to spend all his time with her. But he never seemed to listen when she spoke and even when she does open up, he's focused on how amazing it is that she opened up, not what she actually said.

 

Tom is in love with the idea of Summer, not Summer herself.

[zengirl]

I never really thought of Tom as a doormat. What really stood out to me was how little attention he paid to this woman he was supposedly in love with. Sure, he wanted to spend all his time with her. But he never seemed to listen when she spoke and even when she does open up, he's focused on how amazing it is that she opened up, not what she actually said.

 

Tom is in love with the idea of Summer, not Summer herself.

 

Very true. He did seem to listen to her, at times, but only to reflect on what it said about him. The idea thing is a big part of his problem.

 

Also, The whole fight-for-her scene was immature on is part but insensitive on hers. It was driven by his own insecurities as much as her apathy.

[CaliGuy]

Very true. He did seem to listen to her, at times, but only to reflect on what it said about him. The idea thing is a big part of his problem.

 

Also, The whole fight-for-her scene was immature on is part but insensitive on hers. It was driven by his own insecurities as much as her apathy.

 

Yeah lol! That whole fight scene was hilarious and it's not really indicative of reality. Most guys aren't going to approach and talk to a woman who is obviously sitting next to a guy and chatting with him.

 

If he does, he's really just a 'tard!

[LostInTurn]

I have watched this movie, literally, on repeat since the breakup. I had to stop watching it because I think I was becoming even more depressed. I do, however, love this movie. I hope I find my 'Autumn'. In my case though I'd have to think of two crafty names like Summer and Autumn for two guys.

[gypsy_nicky]

this movie is a godsend to 'nice guys' who are hopeless romantics.

 

It was told from Tom Hanson's pov, that's why Summer seemed distant.

 

The movie's ost 'sweet disposition' sums up the movies message.

[callingyouuu]

I thought it was brilliant.

 

Sure, the main characters were thrown to the extremes, one being an emotional basketcase and the other a static emotional parasite until the last 20 minutes. Yes, the indie references weren't always smoothly integrated. However, I haven't seen a single medium of art that so simply yet effectively exemplifies the pain and confusion attached with many people's first foray into relationship territory.

 

I also enjoyed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, although I prefer not to compare the two because I feel that both explored very different questions about similar stages in a young relationship. Eternal Sunshine's abstract nature took away from some of the pure entertainment, but it definitely made you think more after the film. 500 Days is meant more to be experienced at the moment than mulled over. Both are two of my favorite films, just for different reasons.

[that girl]

this movie is a godsend to 'nice guys' who are hopeless romantics.

 

I have a feeling you put nice guys in quotes because you mean doormats, but it makes me think of the other use of "nice guys" (in quotes)- the guy who thinks he is a total catch but is really just selfish and self-involved.

 

Tom isn't an under appreciated, giving guy at all. He doesn't need to toughen up. He needs to actually listen when the object of his affection speaks rather than trying to insert her into his romantic daydreams.

[GoodOnPaper]

this movie is a godsend to 'nice guys' who are hopeless romantics.

 

I totally agree -- I lived my entire single life in "nice guy" fashion and even had a relationship that was eerily similar to the Tom/Summer one. In most movies, the "nice guy" character is steered directly into comic loserville. I like how Tom -- as uncomfortable as he is to watch at times -- is actually portrayed has having his act together more so than his friends and never apologizes for his emotional sensitivity. This is certainly the kind of movie that more men than women will instinctively "get".

[zengirl]

I have a feeling you put nice guys in quotes because you mean doormats, but it makes me think of the other use of "nice guys" (in quotes)- the guy who thinks he is a total catch but is really just selfish and self-involved.

 

Tom isn't an under appreciated, giving guy at all. He doesn't need to toughen up. He needs to actually listen when the object of his affection speaks rather than trying to insert her into his romantic daydreams.

 

It can be both: Tom does need to toughen up, and he does need to stop objectifying people and start recognizing them for who they are. These two ideas are not contrary. A healthy, assertive person can more easily see the difference between themselves/their projections and the real people around them, which is Tom's main problem. His being self-involved and his being abused and unlucky in love have a lot to do with each other.

[CaliGuy]

I totally agree -- I lived my entire single life in "nice guy" fashion and even had a relationship that was eerily similar to the Tom/Summer one. In most movies, the "nice guy" character is steered directly into comic loserville. I like how Tom -- as uncomfortable as he is to watch at times -- is actually portrayed has having his act together more so than his friends and never apologizes for his emotional sensitivity. This is certainly the kind of movie that more men than women will instinctively "get".

 

Yeah Tom is pretty much me to a "T". I don't have have to apologize for having a sense of character and sometimes (not often) sensitivity. That usually comes when there is a distinct question where things look like they might be going downhill.

 

What I DO question is why women (or men) continue to "date" someone do the same things they would normally do in a relationship but they don't want the title.

 

In this movie, Summer is exactly like my ex. She wanted everything that being a relationship with me offered her but didn't actually want to be IN a relationship with me. The minute a guy she likes better than me comes along, she not only dumps me but within months she gets engaged to him. Just like Summer.

 

C'est la vie. The thing is, I know now how to feel relationships out much better and move on.

 

But now, I just don't care to be in a relationship anymore. It's much more trouble than it's worth...

[gypsy_nicky]

It can be both: Tom does need to toughen up, and he does need to stop objectifying people and start recognizing them for who they are. These two ideas are not contrary. A healthy, assertive person can more easily see the difference between themselves/their projections and the real people around them, which is Tom's main problem. His being self-involved and his being abused and unlucky in love have a lot to do with each other.

 

I agree.

 

I also saw Summer as not really being interested but at times caved in because she knew Tom was nice and naive. It sorta makes you feel bad and flattered at the same time if a decent looking person likes you but you dont like them back with the same intensity.

[Chrome Barracuda]

Yep, like i said earlier i wished he had friends who made him man up, because he was not doing that. but in the end...?

[CaliGuy]

Well I watched "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" last night and while it had some intriguing and complex things, I didn't think it was a realistic movie. At least with (500) Days of Summer there are some very real complexitives of a one sided-relatioship that I can certainly relate to (it's happened to me too).

 

With ESotSM, nobody gets their relationships erased. If this was something that we actually had, I'd probably be first in line -- though I'd probably want a lot of other memories erased as well haha.

[Chrome Barracuda]

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind was a great movie.

 

God damn i wanted to be the ever loving crap out of Elijah wood's character.

[CaliGuy]

Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind was a great movie.

 

God damn i wanted to be the ever loving crap out of Elijah wood's character.

 

Well don't get me wrong, it was a great movie and I enjoyed watching it. I think by far it was Jim Carey's best acting. That said, I couldn't relate to the issues of the relationship because of the "mind erasing". That just would never happen in real life.

 

It was definitely complex and interesting though. At the end of the movie they repeating the into then eveything made complete sense

[Chrome Barracuda]

Well don't get me wrong, it was a great movie and I enjoyed watching it. I think by far it was Jim Carey's best acting. That said, I couldn't relate to the issues of the relationship because of the "mind erasing". That just would never happen in real life.

 

It was definitely complex and interesting though. At the end of the movie they repeating the into then everything made complete sense

 

Yeah i mean it's not like the government has the idea to replicate the technology to erase your mind, right? LOL:laugh:

 

Of course it's not realistic!!!! lol. it's fiction. but it poses the Question if you could erase your mind to forget the girl who hurt you beyond belief would you?

[CaliGuy]

Yeah i mean it's not like the government has the idea to replicate the technology to erase your mind, right? LOL:laugh:

 

Of course it's not realistic!!!! lol. it's fiction. but it poses the Question if you could erase your mind to forget the girl who hurt you beyond belief would you?

 

No, no -- I completely get the idea of the context of the movie and I actually liked it, I just couldn't RELATE to it so it lost a little luster. Maybe if they were both in a car accident and lost their memory then I could understand. Like I said, it was by far Carey's best acting I've ever seen (He was a total goof in Yes Man).

 

With 500, I much better related to it because I was in Tom's position once (really bad!) and the second time it happened I handled it much, much better. I also think Zooey was a more realistic date for Tom because Carey's character just didn't seem realistic. Most guys would have kicked her to the curb much sooner than he did.