(bitch.) {July 26, 2009}

"The boy, Tom Hanson of Margate, NJ, grew up believing that he'd never truly be happy until the day he met The One. This belief stemmed from early exposure to sad British pop music and a total misreading of the movie The Graduate."  — opening lines of 500 Days of Summer

I lolled away my pretty Saturday with one of my best guy friends. We strolled 7 miles around San Francisco, splitting a delicious sandwich, skipping down the Mission's sunny sidewalks, and shopping uptown for soft, plaid shirts & summer garb. I made him dinner, too. See, I was trying to be a good friend and distract him from an evolving "boy-meets-amazing-girl / boy-really-likes-amazing-girl / dating-dating-dating-hurray! / boy-realizes-affections-are-not-equal-ARGH / more-dating-dating-dating-ensuing-misery / girl-is-emotionally-destroying-boy-with-noncommittal-aloofness-oh-my-god-STAB-TO-THE-EYE!" situation of awfulness.

I thought a movie would be a fun way to conclude the day, so we went to see 500 Days of Summer. I didn't know anything about the plot. I chose it haphazardly—based solely on the inclusion of lovely Zooey Deschanel (holy platonic girl crush!) and a bevy of glowing reviews. It deserves every accolade. It's one of the best movies I've ever seen. I am not going to tell you how it ends, but 500 Days of Summer is a very clever, whimsical anti-romantic comedy that made me smile, sigh, and tear up more than a few times. I was very touched. 500 Days  deals with an unfolding boy-meets-girl situation of devastating unrequited love, which (in my opinion) is among the most hellish things to go through, ever—second only to someone dying. I've experienced the intense pain of being "Tom," though I've definitely been a muted-down version "Summer" too—aloof, independent, flirty, noncommittal, and unintentionally hurtful. I think many of us have experienced both roles, and there's much wisdom to be extracted from these life experiences. There's always a silver lining. My experiences have made me a better person, without question—here's to having your heart broken and filled back up again. Because eventually, it will.

So yes, this is my happy 4-star review. 500 Days of Summer is quirky, thought-provoking, funny, and packaged up & presented impeccably—ah, the editing! It's also speckled with several very sweet, romantic scenes inducing awwws and upturned lip-corners. It's definitely worth your time & dollars .... unless you are trying to cheer up your best friend who's fallen for a girl who's amazing and beautiful but goddamn effing (!!!) emotionally unavailable. Then you are an evil bitch and your name is Liz.

Sorry, J.

Love,

The evil bitch.



I promptly purchased the film's soundtrack before falling into bed last night. It's wonderful—featuring tracks from The Smiths, Regina Spektor, Simon & Garfunkel, She & Him, The Black Lips, Doves, and Feist. Here are two of my favorite songs. Enjoy, friends!

Vagabond - Wolfmother | purchase  
Us - Regina Spektor | purchase  

Comments

[Jill Pilgrim]

Oh, I can't wait to see this. It think I may try to catch it tomorrow after I leave the office.

Also, love the songs- you are my hero.

[me]

xo, Jill - glad you like them! It was a wonderful movie, we pretty much group-hugged while exiting the theater. Ah, love. Go see it!

[Roger]

I can't find the "Like" button, but if it existed, I would have clicked it twice. :)

[Matt Pearce]

Music! Art! Now I have to go see movies, too. Geez, Liz, your blog certainly is fulfilling. Great review!

[Allison]

I cannot wait to see this film! Hoping to get a chance to watch it on my next mini break to Vancouver. I imagine the soundtrack is ace. Thanks for the tunes! :)

[J-Face]

thanks for understanding my hell. only a true friend listens so well that she can write my journal for me.

[Kelly]

Looved the movie :)

And, I can hardly ever imagine you as an "evil bitch" lol. . .although, I guess we've all been there, in someone's eyes*

[J-Face]

...I wish this wasn't all still true in the morning. (PS, sigh.)

[Brendan]

Good review. I'm going to go see it with my woman when I return from the trip I'm currently on (up in Oregon, right by the beach!)

Oh also, she was reading your blog by my side the other day and she wanted me to ask... where did you get your fish necklace in that picture of you on the sidebar?

[Will]

I saw the film with my new gf and we both loved it. It was such a fresh take on relationships. It was realistic, and that is def a change of pace.

The acting was great, scenes were unique, the dance scene was just fun to watch, and amazing music.

I want to see it again!

[A. Parker]

I can't wait to see this movie! Glad to hear it's as good as the hype makes it out to be.

Oh, and, I share the platonic Zooey girl crush. My lame claim to fame: Stood next to her for the opening act of the She & Him show last year.

[me]

J., xoxoxoxo.

Matt, Roger, Allison - See it! You may not leave the theater in all-raves, but I cannot imagine anyone disliking it.

Will, I want to see it again too! LOVED IT. I keep thinking about it, I related to both of the characters. I've been very thinky over it the last few days...

And A., I saw her too once! I walked past her while boarding a flight from Vancouver to SF last year. She was so lovely and I texted all of my friends with an endless series of exclamation points as I took my seat. And then while we were waiting for our baggage, I almost went up to her, but then I was overcome with shyness and lolled around like a crazy person until she was escorted away. Alas. :)

Kelly, I was pretty evil to take my friend to that movie. He audibly groaned during several awkward scenes - all I could do was squeeze his arm and feel like the worst friend ever!

And Brendan, hope you are having fun in Oregon. And my favorite necklace comes to you, dear blisslist readers, via a british shop called Paraphernalia. (http://shop.paraphernalia.nu/). Your gf is allowed to copy me! :)

[Brendan]

Perfect. One more question, how long did it take to ship? I'm a little worried the 4.00 international shipping will take a month or something.

[me]

Well, that was the downside. It took forever, over a month since the order was lost in the process. And then another friend of mine ordered from the shop and her shipment took over 2 months ..... she makes cute things but you have to be patient! :(