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“Just because she likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn't mean she's your soul mate.“
To constantly live as an object in the eyes of every man who desires their vision of love is exhausting. I think about the line "This is not a love story. This is a story about love." quite a bit.
With every move made, there is room for misinterpretation and misunderstanding.
We are introduced to Tom Hansen, who exhibits the struggle of the “Average Joe/Nice Guy” who meets an exceptional woman, a girl who is not like other girls, and changes his life (for better or worse).
Summer Finn, on the other end, is the classic ”Manic Pixie Dream Girl”, awarded with the title of “The One” and honor of fixing Tom’s life by just being herself.
Summer’s introduction is completely superficial, Tom is attracted to her beauty but subsequently learns that she’s a “bitch” without even talking to her, just from a rumor. Male attraction is then stopped. When Summer mentions she likes the same band as Tom, The Smiths, his view of her changes. It is only when Summer presents an opinion that is similar to Tom’s that her worth as a human being is taken note of— her beauty is an addition to her exquisite taste and she is dubbed absolutely perfect.
There are many feminist readings of this movie out there, imploring people to look at things from Summer’s point of view. There is no denying this movie is the male gaze, and I think that’s important when watching it. Tom wants a version of him that is pretty and just perfect—- not the flawed human being that Summer really is.
Many women have been Summer. I don’t think I’ve ever talked to a woman who has had bad luck with men, not because of the failure of her own advances, but rather, because of the frustration of “Nice Guys” like Tom who get disappointed or angry when their efforts do not gain them a place in bed or a relationship with the woman they are pursuing. It’s incredibly weird to be on the receiving end of this type of idolization, women are more than something to fix a man’s life or inextricably make him happier. That’s no one’s responsibility.
I quoted Rachel at the beginning because it’s so funny to me that the best piece of advice comes from an actual child. We are quick to place expectations of what we want on someone. We are quick to idealize them at the slightest hint of reciprocation. While it’s interesting to watch this movie with a feminist lens, it also works in a way that appeals to an audience aware of their habits of daydreaming and hopeless romanticism, screaming “WAKE UP!” to the people who want to hear it the least.
It is hard to escape this villainization of Summer. Male viewers can be quick to place all the blame on her, but I feel that female viewers will have a different experience watching this should they draw from their own personal lives.
I tried to watch this movie as objectively as I could, but I just couldn’t help but feel bad for Summer, no matter how the movie tries to make us feel bad for Tom, who is seemingly just bound to repeat his mistake at the end with Autumn.
I guess women will see this differently as men do. Is that the point? I liked it either way.
I don’t take either one’s side, but Summer is definitely not a “bitch” and we should be more critical of the men in our lives who act like Tom. “Nice Guys” don’t finish last because they’re too nice—- they finish last because when the woman they like doesn’t comply to their fantasy, they rage and throw fits.
Will add though that I do have a massive crush on Joseph Gordon Levitt so I hope this was just incredibly great acting from him.
Great watch! A blaring alarm clock for all the “Nice Guys” out there who just want “The One” or waiting for some poor girl out their to reluctantly act as their manic pixie dream girl. Or the other way around.
Loved shots and writing, subtle differences and details that meant everything to Tom but nothing to Summer.
Also I love films set in Los Angeles so added bonus!
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