Nadya and I finally saw this movie yesterday after much anticipation. We wanted to let everyone know that we give it two thumbs up! It’s a very original independent romantic comedy. It's disappearing from theaters rapidly, so if you would like to see it on the big screen, you may need to act quickly.
We decided to write our own reviews of this movie in the comments section for anyone who might be interested. I’ll try not to give too much away. If you can’t get to this movie soon, we’ll need to wait six months for it to come to DVDs before we can talk about it openly!
Jim
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The title of this movie refers to the numbered days of the hero’s relationship with a woman named Summer. The premise of the movie is set up early on: Tom is a greeting card writer who believes in true love. Summer, his coworker, believes that love is a cultural fiction. She is compellingly unconventional. We share Tom's drive to find out what makes this remarkable woman tick.
ReplyDeleteBe warned that this movie does not end as most romantic comedies end. And the humor is not traditional comedy. Most comedies are based on some combination of jokes or comedic situations. In this movie, Tom’s jokes often fall flat with the audience as much as with Summer. The richness of the humor is the natural interactions between these two people. For example, they playfully roam IKEA pretending to be newlyweds enjoying their new home. Their interplay feels spontaneous. I imagine thousands of couples reenacting this scene in hundreds of IKEAs.
Too many movies and stories are driven by sexual tension. This movie is driven by romantic tension. Their "friendship" is expressed affectionately and sexually, without mention of the dreaded “L” word. If and when it comes, where might the relationship turn?
The storytelling itself is ingenious. Each scene is given the numbered day it occurs on. The scenes play completely out of order. This is much less confusing than it sounds. This is about a relationship and relationships do not need a chronological telling.
Most movies use a standard formula of a frequent alternation of tension and relief, roadblocks and breakthroughs, despairs and triumphs. Long stretches of sweetness can be saccharine. Long bouts of suffering are depressing. The alternation of the two extremes holds our interest.
The problem is that no real life plays out like this. The formula feels as contrived as it is. This movie achieves the same end by a different means. Scenes from different times in their relationship are balanced against one another. Moments of anguish are sandwiched between other times of hope. The rollercoaster feel is there, but if the scenes were rearranged into their proper order, it would look very much the way real relationships play out. Neither the good nor the bad times take full control of the movie. You can never be sure how everything will end.
I will only say that Nadya and I were each struck by certain surprising parallels. Knowing this group and our shared interests and experiences, some of you may recognize parallels of your own.
Jim
This movie sounds amazing and needs to be put on a list. Might I suggest creating a sidebar with movies that we suggest seeing. I know I would love to see this but will have to wait for it to be on DVD. As much as my darling G is great (Nadya knows what I mean) he isn't too interested in going to movies with me just to make me happy -- our movie going experience needs to be a shared one - just like I won't go to a Western with him. Ok unless its Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
ReplyDeleteI love that its not formulatic and seems disjointed when its not really. Sort of like our fan favourite Love Actually. I love seeing parallels in my life.
Sorry I have been quiet as of late. After my delightful time last Monday I received news that another of my favourite people lost his battle with cancer. In the last three weeks I will have attended four funerals for fairly young people. All have broken my heart but this latest one on top of the one in July has reduced me to tears more often than not this week.
Hoping to catch up with everyone over the next few days.
Joanne
My dear Joanne,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the movie will play as well on the small screen. We will just have to wait to talk about it in detail. In the meantime, I can finally watch Love Actually so I talk intelligently about that.
I'm very sorry for yet another broken heart! We are having our share of this as well. Today, I sent a card for a friend/adopted mother of 93. Her sister finally passed away. While this was long expected, it still comes hard. She was the last of my mama's friends and relatives of that generation. A little piece of her passes away with each loved one.
Tomorrow Nadya and I will attend services for a friend and partner in our alpaca business. She checked into the hospital for abdominal pains and died of cancer days later. She was our age. She was wonderful in every way. These sudden deaths seem so much harder.
Take your time catching up. We'll be here.
Jim
Hello all,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's written in the stars or what is going on, but it seems to have been a highly emotional time for many of us of late.
Joanne my condolences to you on the loss of another friend. What a summer you have had. I am tearing up just thinking about how you must be feeling.
Jim and Nadya, you too have faced tragic losses. There are no words to express my sympathy, but I feel it. Our mourning is no less for a loved one of any age, but sudden deaths have that added element of shock and disbelief.
You are both so gracious in your time of heartbreak. I wish there were something I could do to ease your pain. I do believe in the power of positive thoughts surrounding you and I know all here are sending them your way.
The last few days have been an emotional roller coaster for me as well, though I have not had to deal with the kind of losses you have.
I have been struggling financially and with trying to find employment. I found out I lost out on a job opportunity last week. The one where I had asked an old love to put in a good word for me. That was Thursday. I have been on several interviews over the last few months, but this time I was reduced to tears. Saturday a former workmate called and said there might be an opening where she works. Today I got a job there.
I am greatly relieved and grateful and excited. Through this experience, I have reconnected with my high school sweetheart, who did his best to help me get the job that didn't pan out. We had been out of touch in recent months and I was reluctant to ask for his help, out of pride. It turns out he has helped me not only with his efforts to secure the job, but has extended financial help. I have also learned that he has lung cancer.
He never really tells me what is going on, but says he is positive and all will be ok. He is attending the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, but I don't know what treatment he is facing or any details yet.
The good thing is, we are in touch again and have pledged not to let our stubborn pride keep us apart any longer. I pray we have more time...
Ours is a romance that has lasted since we were 15; we are both 51 now. We have not been together as a couple since we broke up at 17, yet we have always stayed in touch. He married at 19 and has two children from that marriage which lasted about six years, and a third child from a later relationship. He has not remarried, though has had some serious relationships (as have I). There is a woman in his life currently, though he tells me "it's fading". We have been out of touch for years at points, but somehow reconnected and have a love that is real and true and both agree will be lifelong. I am crying as I write. He told me on Saturday that he wants to protect and care for me always and that I needn't ever worry about money or finding a job or anything.
I am relating this tale in faith that I am in the company of others of true hearts and mutual sympathy. Love is what brought us together and I send mine to you my virtual friends on this late summer night.
Ann
Ann,
ReplyDeleteFirst let me say congratulations on the job. In this economy it's comforting to be employed. I know I gripe about having to move back to FL, but at least my husband has a job.
Secondly, I am a firm believer in the "star crossed lovers" idea. I think you and your friend are meant to be. If only as friends, or more is to be seen, but I think y'all came into each others lives again for a reason. That reason is to be a source of comfort and support. I am sure with everything he is facing that he can use your succor. I believe that in being supportive of others we help ourselves. I certainly hope that everything works out for both of you.
HCM
Melanie
Dear, dear Ann,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, thank you for your love and support. It services were difficult yesterday. Neither of us can say why we were so affected by our friend’s loss (we had not known her long). But the chance to say goodbye and to connect with her husband really did help. We took the rest of the day off and after crashing for a few hours, went out to see the movie “Julie and Julia” (Meryl Streep was fantastic!).
It seems so many of us in this little group are at a crossroads in life, you more than most. There are so many endings and new beginnings among us; it cannot be coincidence that brought us together. Nor is it only the support of people of like minds, as extraordinary as that is. I agree that it was love that brought us together.
We rejoice in your new job! We eagerly await the adventures that lie ahead of you. Your renewal of a relationship that has spanned 36 years is amazing! I will strive not to weigh you down with advice. You know your own heart, your dreams and your limitations. No matter how things turn out, I wish you happiness.
Jim
I am so sorry to hear about all the heartache of those on the blog. My prayers go out to you all.
ReplyDeleteAnn - a friend of mine (actually, my friend's husband) just came home from the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. Unfortunately Hospice is now coming in several times a day until he passes. He and my girlfriend found each other after their marriages broke up and were certain never to find love again. But they both did and were/are an amazing couple. They married on 12/31/08 just after they found out about the cancer. They thought it was quite treatable, but unfortunately it was very aggressive. He now has weeks, so I will soon be attending services as well.
I know I've told you about the friends I made on the David Cook message boards. Well I met these friends through the Bon Jovi fan club message board. Many friends of both groups will be friends forever. I feel the same about all of you, even if we never meet. The other two message boards have natural occasions to meet, rock concerts, so it's easier to connect with them.
I just got home from California (Lancaster and Sacramento) after seeing David in two concerts with many of the friends I met online. Maybe some day we will all meet. Maybe a wine tasting trip!!
Hope everyone is having a great day. I know I am. And thanks Jim and Nadya for the review. I love romantic movies and Love Actually is one of my favorites. I'll have to see if 500 Days is still in the theaters here.
Take care everyone,
Sheri
Dear Sheri,
ReplyDeleteI suppose that many of us are getting near that age where it is more likely every day that someone we know will be struck down in what I consider to be the prime of life. It is devastating for those most directly affected, and sobering for those around them. Life is too short. We must take advantage of every moment of joy.
I wish we had known you were in Sacramento...it is only 2 hours from us; we would have driven over to see you, or you would have been welcome to come to us in wine country and spend a couple of days. Next time :=)
I have started school this week...160 squirrely 6th and 7th graders...but most of them seem very sweet.Will keep you all posted on how junior high hormones affect the human love equation :-D
Hugs,
Nadya
I had two out of town friends with my who drove to/from Sacramento. It was fun but it sure was HOT. And I live in AZ, but it was humid hot and that makes a huge difference. But I'll be in the Bay Area again so we'll make sure to make plans to meet.
ReplyDeleteSheri