500 Days of Summer: Postmodern Perfection

500 Days of Summer: Postmodern Perfection | Video Essay

Рет қаралды 74,010

3 жыл бұрын

In this (500) Days of Summer video essay, I unpack all the aspects of the film that make this a postmodern love story; the male gaze, gender roles, intertextuality, cinematic devices, non-lienar narrratives and postmodernism in the context of romcoms.
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Пікірлер: 96

@FoundInFrames 3 жыл бұрын

What’s your favourite romcom??

@7gromojar Жыл бұрын

The one they don't talk about gender roles constantly.

@goldfilms995 3 жыл бұрын

I love this movie. It's Brilliant, from the acting, writing, directing, music, cinematography, etc. It's just such a smartly made film that helped me find my passions throughout life.

@FoundInFrames 3 жыл бұрын

I agree the movie is so underappreciated

@goldfilms995 3 жыл бұрын

@@FoundInFrames As someone who is very passionate about film analysis and does a lot of it myself, I'm glad to gave found your channel. Your thoughts come across as intelligent, detailed, and most importantly: objective. Keep up the good work. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on TDK Trilogy, btw. Just a suggestion :)

@FoundInFrames 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much that means a lot :) I also love TDK (who doesn’t lol) and I have a soft spot for Rises so I might do a video at some point

@goldfilms995 3 жыл бұрын

@@FoundInFrames I agree. I think The Dark Knight is a masterpiece. The Dark Knight Rises isn't as good, but I definitely would not say that it's "bad" like some other edgy people. It definitely has the most flaws out of the movies in the trilogy, but there's still a lot of well-done stuff too.

@razkable 2 жыл бұрын

i think if you watch 500 days of summer from summer's pov tom is the real villain and at the end he did not fully learn his lesson but he did start to see more clearly all thanks to summer pushing him to pursue his passions....he found someone willing to try...summer made it clear..she did not want to try..but he ignored it for his own fantasy happiness and desires...cause hes a selfish man...and thats how to enjoy the film...

@katerinaberhami3770 Жыл бұрын

my ex was summer in my story - and I guess this helped me accept that he will find someone who is compatible as compared to me "not compatible to him" and I will be where ever life will take me but its okay cause I will be on the right path rather than living the expectation of one

@shawnmcmanus2623 Жыл бұрын

I never thought about how the atypical sequence of the storyline was meant to represent the human memory. Also, as a guy, you don’t really think about Summer’s perspective not being told at all because we are so used to seeing things from Tom’s eyes in real life. This truly is my favorite movie on relationships

@steverogers7601 2 жыл бұрын

14:13 Whoa! I think I’ve watched this film like 5 times and I’ve never paid enough attention to notice that quote on the wall! Lol

@FoundInFrames 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I watched that scene too many times…

@AnthonyDoesYouTube 2 жыл бұрын

This movie was such a damn trip to watch whilst peaking on Psylocybin

@asbestosbunny Жыл бұрын

Yeah, i’d probably cry

@julianrodriguez2021 Жыл бұрын

I JUST did that last night….

@samarakarow1051 2 жыл бұрын

I love this video essay! Didn’t even notice the Ikea quote, tbh. When I think of postmodernism, I default to deconstruction (which Summer certainly is, as a MPDG; and the movie, itself, as a romantic comedy) but I didn’t even think of the intertextuality being a postmodern element. You are so right!

@FoundInFrames 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!!! I think Summer is the most obvious “on the nose” interpretation for the film being postmodern but it’s so much more layered than that, postmodernism saturates the film. I’m glad you enjoyed the video :)

@fireblackjack 2 жыл бұрын

Wtf how is it possible for this pearl of a video to still be undiscovered!!

@FoundInFrames 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man :)

@Baldzey Жыл бұрын

wtf? this is actually so good hows this not famous yet

@annabowden3087 9 ай бұрын

This movie is my favorite love story because it’s honestly in its own melancholy. I honestly get a little upset when people talk so badly about it.

@steverogers7601 2 жыл бұрын

‘’never, ever tell her side of the story and we’re doing this on purpose, that she (summer) doesn’t get a fair share at this’’ Man, they did a great job with that because ALOT of dudes hated summer, and still do, when they first watched this movie and are still in denial even when they’re told Tom didn’t listen.

@FoundInFrames 2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, it’s sort of this misinterpretation that drew me towards the film cause I find it so funny that some people still don’t realise how one sided the story is

@Jazzmaster1992 Жыл бұрын

I never hated Summer. I thought upon first watching it was a cautionary tale about "oneitis". What I will say is I'm not a fan of all her actions. She kind of knew going into it that he was really into her, but instead of doing the right thing and leaving him alone, she kinda kept going back to him because she was lonely, bored, horny, whatever. Doesn't seem fair to say she did "nothing" wrong. I don't hate Summer the character or think she's a bad person, but when Tom calls out her behavior at the end ("you just...do what you want, don't you?") I think it was obvious she was not totally innocent.

@steverogers7601 Жыл бұрын

@@Jazzmaster1992 again, she told Tom she didn’t want anything. She even told his ass TWICE. “Doesn’t seem fair that she did nothing wrong”

@Jazzmaster1992 Жыл бұрын

@@steverogers7601 Nah. She said she wanted him as a friend in the beginning of the movie. He accepted her rejection and "friendzoning". He didn't push the issue, he didn't whine or beg her to give him a chance. The following week, SHE makes out with him in the copy room, unprovoked. Then they started "hanging out" and having play-dates in Ikea. Then she says that she's "not looking for anything serious". He says "sure, taking it slow" and she offers no refutation, no clarification like "I just want casual, I'm not interested in anything further". This goes on for a bit. They have their argument after he fights the guy in the bar. She says "I like you Tom, I'm just not looking for a relationship" and when she says they are "just friends", he rightfully calls out the definition and boundary issues, even if he is a little bit too aggressive about it. Instead of leaving the man alone, she comes back to him with puppy dog eyes, says she's sorry for yelling at him and they hook up again. To me, the whole thing just seemed like a dysfunctional relationship between two people who don't know what they want, and are therefore unable to communicate intentions and boundaries clearly. Again, at the end of the movie, this becomes obvious when she says she was "unsure" about Tom, alluding to the fact that she didn't really understand her feelings. Had she have said "I don't want anything serious, but I find you attractive and wouldn't mind something casual" from the jump, and had he have accepted it without expecting more, it would have been fine. Unfortunately, that's not how a lot of relationships turn out, which is why this movie is so great. But I definitely don't think she "didn't want anything" or that she "made her intentions clear". And she wasn't this innocent little victim being forced to hook up with a guy who had feelings for her. She could have just "friendzoned" the man and left him alone, but she didn't, and that much is on her.

@steverogers7601 Жыл бұрын

@@Jazzmaster1992 the crazy thing is you genuinely believe that. All I can say is good luck out there to anyone who thinks this.

@samueljacob2908 3 жыл бұрын

DO BOJACK HORSEMAN!!!

@CacheCanada Жыл бұрын

I've watched this film more than a half dozen times and truly love it. I like delving into its deep meaning other than the straight up romantic notion of love in Tom's eyes. I just recently flew to LA just to see the bench Tom and Summer sat on and to see other sites from the movie. It was great! And btw the park is closed and if you want to visit the bench you would be doing so under trespass.

@vedantkate374 2 жыл бұрын

The video was awesome. Your analysis and explaining skills are perfect and amazing .

@FoundInFrames 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@shanmukha5490 9 ай бұрын

Amazing video bro, on point analysis. i didn't even know it had so many references.

@blumingsss 2 жыл бұрын

This is an amazing way of breaking down this movie! Loved the video so much.

@FoundInFrames 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you :)

@fundyracer5648 Жыл бұрын

This is the best video essay I have ever seen, wow this opened my eyes

@edelyyn 11 ай бұрын

this is a great analysis, truly enjoyed

@VV-er3zg 10 ай бұрын

Beautiful! So well detailed and precise

@Taintless101 Жыл бұрын

Thoughtful essay on a wonderful movie. Hope to see more of your thoughts on great movies in the future.

@javojavojavojavo 8 ай бұрын

This is like my fourth analysis of the movie I watched. Watched 1 before (it made me watch the movie), and 3 after. I really enjoyed it.

@adrijadasgupta2779 6 ай бұрын

This is the best video essay of 500DS that I've watched

@evasage14 8 ай бұрын

in literal tears rn. thank you for putting why i love this movie sm into words

@Jordblitz 3 ай бұрын

Summer gets worse and worse the more you think about her. The fact that she instigated a relationship wirh Tom, showed him love and affection knowing he had feelings for her, while also knowing she didn't actually intend to be with him. A lot of women dont seem to see an issue with leading guys on, who they sont actually intend to be with. It'd selfishness to the highest degree. They are sacrificing the mental well-being of thr man in exchange for their own short term gratification.

@josefk7437 Жыл бұрын

This movie was very entertaining. Tom projected all his fantasy and desire onto a profession in which he did not have experience. He saw too many architects in romantic movies, but he was rejected by the profession and relegated to a greeting card company. He did not pay attention to the reality of having to compete with lots of qualified applicants for few careers as well as the many different subspecialties in the profession. Tom was selfish in his expectations that he be given his manic pixie dream job when Autumn was more qualified. Tom's expectations of being an architect will fail to match the reality that his job at the greeting card company might actually be better.

@NicolasGarciaLanza 5 ай бұрын

Your last argument is that, essentially, the guy is doomed because if he was more passionate about architecture Summer would've dated him, but once he got really passionate, Autumn would've rejected him because he wasn't as qualified. You've got some sort of doomer or black pill mentality going on.

@josefk7437 5 ай бұрын

@@NicolasGarciaLanza I was trying to parody the arguments that Tom was projecting his fantasies on Summer. There is a lot of overanalysis of this movie, but hardly any of it mentions Tom wanting to be an architect. It seems like a lot of romance movie men are architects, but most movie writers did not research the profession beyond "architects have funny looking rulers and drafting tables." I thought Tom wanting to be an architect could use more analysis.

@NicolasGarciaLanza 5 ай бұрын

@@josefk7437 That's fair, I haven't thought about that. You could argue that it has thematic relevance in a "gendered" context to present the male lead as an architect, one who ultimately designs and "builds a home". It's interesting if you put it that way. Still I'd like to know if you'd think he wouldn't be capable of reaching that "goal" of his.

@josefk7437 5 ай бұрын

@@NicolasGarciaLanza The movie made it impossible to judge if he would be capable of reaching that goal of his. There were no situations in the movie that would have allowed the audience to make any judgment about his chances of achieving his goal.

@bryanmilne Жыл бұрын

I've watched this film a second time and now I see it through different eyes and understand it so much better. My question though and what I still don't understand is why Tom and Summer are "incompatible". It is perplexing because they seem to be happy with each other and have fun together and love each other. The only incompatibility offered is that Tom is a Romantic and Summer is not, until she is and then she is but for someone else. So in the end the question is are they incompatible simply because they are each still "growing up" and starting from different perspectives? We never learn or understand what it is that made Summer switch from not believing in romantic love to being engaged to be married within months of breaking up with Tom and why she did so. I find it to be a strange and highly narcissistic view of romantic love when a partner is considered "incompatible" because they are still figuring out their lives. Wouldn't it also be fair to say that Summer definitely didn't have her life or career figured out even a little bit? Aren't partners in romantic love supposed to be strong for each other and devoted to each other to help each other to cheer on each other in their growth and quest toward finding their own personal successes? Do other people feel that this "post modern" view of romantic love as haphazard serial monogamy is dangerous and cheapens any future possibility of actual committed romantic love? Or is it inevitable that we all go through these stages of experiencing the pain of having our hearts broken as part of the process of discovering how to practice romantic love in a way where one learns to fully love oneself so they can be love for others rather than seeking that love through a partner? At the very least this film really makes one contemplate these questions far more than any other film about Love I've ever encountered. Just still wondering why they weren't compatible and asking the same question Summer asked Tom on their first date. Tom's answer "you just know" is obviously a colossal error because he surely didn't "know" when he thought he did and then this irony at the end that Summer uses the same line on him after finding it with someone else!

@limeadeislife 10 ай бұрын

It's a good question, and I feel like I would need to watch the movie again to have a sure answer - it's been a few years. But I think Summer just wasn't really happy with him after a while, and didn't feel the same romantic connection. And we may not get an answer for exactly why, since the movie isn't from her perspective.

@terrycraig6386 9 ай бұрын

They were "not" compatible.she even said all they ever do is " fight ".😊😊😊😊😊

@larosagreste 9 ай бұрын

The reason why they’re incompatible is because she’s looking for a man that is able to walk the walk. She’s attracted to him for his passion for architecture but he never leaves his dead-end job. He’s too obsessed with her instead of being obsessed about his career which would have attracted her much more to him. She left the job whereas he still was working in a job he hated. When they were role-playing she knew she couldn’t see a future with him because of his lack of ambition. It was the breakup that allowed him to pursue his passion and a new career; he should be grateful to her

@justinnegus6085 9 ай бұрын

@@larosagreste Accurate.

@naknampucha5236 8 ай бұрын

@@larosagresteyeah.. women moment there.

@Gofaw Жыл бұрын

take a shot every time he says postmodern and 'subverting patriarchal gender roles'

@bryanhawkins9418 6 ай бұрын

I loved this movie. As far as Tom is concerned I don't think he was wrong for pursuing Summer even though she said she wasn't looking for a relationship. I do think Summer is wrong for going along with Tom's desires already knowing what his intentions were ahead of time and seeing that he was falling in love with her. However I don't have much empathy for Tom. He played the game and he came up short. Summer told him ahead of time what she was all about. He thought he could change her, he was wrong. I believe Tom should have took his lumps and moved forward.

@alexcoyg3281 Жыл бұрын

My Favorite Romantic Movie

@arturofernandez6088 Жыл бұрын

Good analysis!🤘🏽

@bobphilip8889 2 жыл бұрын

Song at 4.50?

@globetrekker86 9 ай бұрын

Tom, like Fred Madison in Lost Highway, wants to know his relationship “the way [he] remembers [it], not necessarily the way [it] happened.”

@kevinb7649 6 күн бұрын

I only disagree with the notion that Summer doesn't have growth. We don't *see* it, but in their final conversation, she hints at the fact that she DID grow through her relationship with Tom as well. That their relationship was necessary for her to open up to something that she then found later.

@TharunPrathap 2 жыл бұрын

nice.

@mikyl-fo8rh 5 ай бұрын

Summer gets a pass as she (eventually) told him she wasn't ready for a committed relationship. Tom has my empathy.

@terrycraig6386 9 ай бұрын

Toms younger sister was in Kick Ass.

@BenthzG 8 ай бұрын

fucking excellent essay

@alexanderludwigthaddeusvandarc Жыл бұрын

wait wait, let me ask one thing, what is the fck thing called love? doesn't it even exist? why is it so random? is love only biological needs or only for reproductive means or its only tradition left by our ancestor from neanderthalis homosapiens?

@chuchadoll93 Жыл бұрын

But why summer invite Tom over knowing how much he loved her or idk obsessed Ober their love? Or what because he's a unreliable narrator we can't believe him or what,? That invitation was a fact right? She's a bit cynical I mean idk I wouldn't invite a guy who was so in love with me and I wasn't to my party where I'm now engaged like wtf

@Yellowjackets1900 7 ай бұрын

this movie is very much for Incels. I love it.

@mrbombpop9 Жыл бұрын

I still hate Summer

@josefk7437 Жыл бұрын

The movie does not let the audience know Summer well enough to hate her.

@cherrykitty1998 Жыл бұрын

who asked

@kaddindefiant Жыл бұрын

@@cherrykitty1998 me

@Rotting12 7 ай бұрын

Only cause she’s a woman?

@MylesKillis 5 ай бұрын

@@josefk7437I know she kissed a guy who said he was a hopeless romantic after he accepted her rejection. TWICE!! The second time she chased him to do so.