I am currently watching one of my favorite movies, 500 Days of Summer. So, this is basically my opinion based from this movie. For people who never saw this wonderful independent film that won multiple awards at Sundance, then was released in theaters, here is a plot summary from imdb :
"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."
- Written by imdb user Huggo
Tom Hansen played by Joseph Gordon Levitt who believes in fate and love at first sight. It shows how he learns over looking back at his memories with Summer, played by Zooey Deschannel that she was not that perfect and that you cannot really say there is love at first sight. What is so great about it is that it deals with his feelings both good and bad, and how he tries to get Summer back but it does not happen. The memories show him having the time of his life with her then going to him finding out that she got married. He has a talk with her and hears how his feelings rubbed off on her and ultimately caused her to accept a first date with her future husband. After, his moping and sorrow is through he decides to try to become an architect. During a wait at an interview he meets Autumn who he asks on date, and she accepts.
Though this may not be a happy ending, however you could say he has hope with a new girl. The great part about this ending is it not the Hollywood ending the studios say people ask for or want. It so accurately shows how a relationship can go from picture perfect to a nightmare in hell. I think this movie is such a great film for that fact and also how people can change another's life without even being in their life anymore. But back to why this realistic ending is a happy ending.
Movies have the power to teach us and change our lives. Which is why this moving's ending is a happy ending because you can reach a catharsis through understanding and relating in some way to Tom's situation. Whether its a crush, a fling, or a long standing relationship that you need to get over, Tom's misery and what he learns can help you learn. I hope to see more movies like this one.
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