I typically like trendy alt-culture things (skinny jeans, The Shins, flannel, and the like), but I did NOT like this movie. Don't get wrong, the music was amazing and yes, the story line was different. But, the philosophy behind the movie is a sure sign that the American culture consumed with the "alternative," "non fairy-tale ending" side of life, has actually settled for existential nihilism.
I'm typically overdramatic, but I seriously ended the movie feeling nauseated. Probably because of this statement by the Narrator:
If Tom had learned anything, it’s that you can’t ascribe great cosmic significance to a simple earthly event. Coincidence. That’s all anything ever is. Nothing more than coincidence. It took a long time, but Tom had finally learned. There are no miracles. There is no such thing as fate. Nothing is meant to be. He knew. He was pretty sure.
I'm not going to take the typical "Christian" point of view of why this statement is "sinful" or any of that, but seriously people? What does that mean? What else is there? If everything is merely coincidence, then YOU DON'T MATTER.
Other reasons for dislike include:
1. Summer is freaking manic.
2. Tom is obsessive.
3. Summer is extremely selfish.
4. The "oh my gosh, I'm so alt and elusive, I don't know what I want in life" girl is becoming a sad stereotype.
Please don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for a 'happy ending,' just merely a more redeeming worldview than 'blah blah I'm happy so my isolated life is more important than anyone.'
But, the music was wonderful :)
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1. Thanks for using "nauseated" and not "nauseous." I really appreciated that and I value your blog all the more now.
ReplyDelete2. I watched this movie last night and tonight. So, I'm a bit enamored. Why? (I ask myself. Haha.)
Why. Hm, let's see.
Yes to the good music. Yes (please, yes!) to the lighting that happened in the scene when he gets out of bed and it's raining outside. And to that same lovely gold lighting in the scene when they have coffee on the train. I just like that a lot. In fact, I think I like a lot of the shots in the movie. I'm no cinematographer, but the imagery just really sunk me. The lights at the wedding, the close-ups on Zooey's eyes/features (her facial expressions! Ah, I love them. I think that someone else loves them, too, and realized that when they shot this movie... Ok, totally sidetracked but I just have a major girl-crush on her. She's quite charming and classy.)
Anyway.
What you have to say about Tom being obsessive and Summer being manic and selfish... you are right. Which I rather like. I guess it seemed to me like... aren't people like that? Isn't that how people get sometimes? Maybe it was played up a bit, but that's understandable--like a rhetorical strategy of hyperbole or something. It's so clear that they are both so wrong in so much of what they think or how they act. I dunno. People are messy... people lose their heads in relationships... it's nice to see that portrayed, to some extent. Do you dislike Tom's obsession because it's in-human or unrealistic? Or because it's wrong? I think that distinction makes a big difference to reacting to it.
And about the narration at the end... I'm not sure that's what the movie was concluding/selling. I feel like that is contradicted by his decision in the end to go back. But that opinion--that it was just a coincidence, that nothing matters--IS what some people believe. I like knowing things that people believe. Seeing it in a movie may make me flinch, but I still want to know it.
I dunno. Just some thoughts. I rather liked this movie. I think it offers a lot to chew on and discuss. I'm intrigued. Especially by Zooey's wardrobe. And eyelashes. So... yeah.