Monday, August 10, 2009

Endless Summer



Some critics have accused 500 Days Of Summer as being a little too precious, but I disagree. Having endured a score of graduate workshops in Texas where people wore peacoats and smoked pipes while writing poems about "tiny little lamb feet," it takes a lot for me to come down hard on this score. The movie captures the fun and exciting nature of love and the truly wretched fall-out when it comes to an end.

Summer, played by the truly lovely Zooey Daeshanel, brings our male protagonist to his metaphorical knees. She's the kind of girl who everyone loves because she's not that obtainable. As with many fantasies, the romantic impulse does not always thrive with what is there -- it's all about the potential. So this is a movie about the start of love and it does that quite well. But in nearly every relationship of any duration, there's a moment like when Bill Murray says "I've come to the end of myself" in Groundhog Day. The movie never gets to that point -- it's not that kind of story. Summer, alas, is a fleeting confection. But if we do get to the end of ourselves with someone and manage to find something worth keeping, then we will be, as the Beach Boys sang in my happy childhood pool memories, Endless summer, all year long.

Cocktail Hour
Drink suggestions for the dog days?

Benedictions and Maledictions
Happy Monday!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

You've just got to practice! Bon appetite!--Julia Child

Anonymous said...

I can't cook!--MB

Anonymous said...

Iz zee appetit, eh?--Inspector Cloud Clueso

Brianinmpls said...

Cucumbers are in season here so for the dog days I have been doing Hendricks gin with a cucumber wedge or Ice Tea and Makers Mark

Anonymous said...

Lovin' the pictures lately. You look great!

-JM

Anonymous said...

myCajunQ
HotPants
FoxlyLadyD
PepperVodka
MightyIce
Jusice
R2C2Shazammmm!!!!!

Jason said...

OMG. Mary-Lousie Parker is soooo stealing your look and video blog vibe. http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid21821663001?bctid=33376581001

Jason said...

oops... here is a non-lazy link: Mary Louise Parker

Charles Gramlich said...

eh? I've never even heard of this movie.

Scott said...

Michelle,

Seen the ads for this flick...looks like it mmight be good.

That's the best ad for Dr Pepper I've ever seen. :)