(500)+Days+of+Summer+Film+Theories

(500) Days of Summer

All of the discussed film theories could be used to analyze this film, but not all may create interesting points of discussion. From a Freudian lens, for example, one may be able to analyze Tom’s needs and sexual desires in relation to his position in the relationship. This becomes especially interesting after the relationship comes to an end and Tom is left to figure his life out by himself. This could also be seen as a cathartic response – after a long period of depression (the initial response), Tom reevaluates his life and starts to follow his earlier dreams. Still, in his conversation with Summer, he does seem a bit desperate and lost, as he does not understand how she could refuse his desires during their time together and then simply pick up on another man’s desires so quickly. This plays on his sexual desires and his hidden unconscious emotions that he feels after finding out about her new marriage – perhaps commenting on his somewhat submissive position both in and after the relationship. This leads to my next area of discussion – Feminism. If Tom can indeed be seen as the submissive party, made evident through Summer’s repeated rejections of his advances and constrictions of his freedoms in the relationship, then the film could certainly be analyzed through a Feminist lens. Summer, as a strong, independent female, overpowers Tom for the majority of the film, creating a definite struggle between the sexes.

The other theories, such as Marxism could definitely be applied to this film, but finding substantial evidence and accurate examples could amount to a rather desperate search and would, in my opinion, not be comparable to the given discussion of Freudian and feminist theory.

A cathartic response in the film could be created during Tom’s response to having sex with Summer. The audience could see his exaggerated joy, buffeted by mise-en-scene through the party and parade behind him, and feel the same kind of joyous release of emotions.