(500) Days of Reflection

This evening I saw “(500) Days of Summer” for the first time.  Please note that I did say the first time as I intend to own the movie and watch it over, and over again.  This film was an exceptional work, but should not be experienced by the faint of heart.

Now, do not get me wrong, the movie was everything that it was cracked up to be and then some.  Zoe Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are extremely talented actors and were perfectly caste for the parts that they played.  However, I do not think that I have actually cried in a movie theater until this flick.  For the unknowing, here is the IMDB summary of the film:

From imdb.com:

“After it looks as if she’s left his life for good this time, Tom Hansen reflects back on the just over one year that he knew Summer Finn. Despite being physically average in almost every respect, Summer had always attracted the attention of men, Tom included. For Tom, it was love at first sight when she walked into the greeting card company where he worked, she the new administrative assistant. Soon, Tom knew that Summer was the woman with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Although Summer did not believe in relationships or boyfriends - in her assertion, real life will always ultimately get in the way - Tom and Summer became more than just friends. Through the trials and tribulations of Tom and Summer’s so-called relationship, Tom could always count on the advice of his two best friends, McKenzie and Paul. However, it is Tom’s adolescent sister, Rachel, who is his voice of reason. After all is said and done, Tom is the one who ultimately has to make the choice to listen or not.”

As you can see, this story line was meant to twist emotions, and it succeeds beautifully!  This movie made me relive all of those pesky emotions that were felt during the end of my first real relationship.  The memories of deep, honest love began to filter back into my mind.  The feeling of completed-ness and satisfaction filled my heart, while the pain and despair of being left alone in the world swelled to my eyes.  I was in awe to see my exact depression flashed on the big screen in front of me.  It was like watching a video of myself shot two years ago.  However, there was one scene in particular that really made me see the movie completely differently then most people that saw it.  (Warning: Spoiler)  Towards the end, Tom (Levitt) asks Summer (Deschanel) why she danced with him at the wedding and did not tell him there was a new man in her life.  Summer responds that she did it because dancing with him sounded like fun.  Tom then asks her if she just does whatever sounds fun without thinking.  Summer says yes.  It was at this moment that I hated the character with every bone in my body.  She was willing to justify her actions completely on the basis that it made her happy; regardless of what those decisions did to other people.  This is the definition of a bitch.  This was the biggest complaint that I had of MA.  I understand that she wanted the opportunity to feel the same intense love that I felt for her, but her actions did not consider anyone other then herself.  This realization made me feel extreme anger and distrust for MA and Summer at the same time.  After carful re-evaluation of those emotions, I have settled upon disgust.  I cannot believe that anyone would act in such a manner, and I cannot relate to anyone that does.