500 Days of Summer directed by Marc Webb is my cup of tea; a romantic comedy film starring a very good looking male lead actor. However, as the film progressed I realised that I was actually processing the film and what was being said, rather than being part of the passive audience around me. Due to the shift in push and pull media, this aspect of the film makes it very post modern in itself because I was choosing to interpret the film in my own way.
On to Strinati, one of his 5 post modern concepts is the confusion of time over space. This is a key element of 500 Days of Summer. The film is a non linear narrative telling the love story between a couple over this time period. The narrative skips from day to day for example from day 5 to day 370 and then back to day 100. This brings confusion over time and space into the film.
500 Days of Summer tries to break the conventions of traditional “RomCom” films through the use of the main woman protagonist being a “manic pixie dream girl” which is an immature woman, the ending not being “happy” as such and the couple realising they are not right for each other, but in turn find true happiness. This break of code conventions is also highly post modern; being new and fresh (the renaissance period that prompted post modernism – the era of change) Marc Webb, the director commented on how he perceives the film to be unconventional “most romantic comedies are more loyal to a formula than to emotional truth. It's about happiness, and learning that you'll find it within yourself, rather than in the big blue eyes of the girl in the cubicle down the hall. I wanted to make an unsentimental movie and an uncynical movie. In my mind, I wanted it to be something you could dance to”
I think the concept of manipulating time within the film and introducing each day with a plain slide, not only highlights the construction of the film but also adds something different to the film rather than the simple storyline of boy meets girl.
Even if it is not seen as a movie classic, it cannot be denied that it is diverse and unique which is appealing and enjoyable.
It is most definitely in my list of postmodern favourites :)
This is the full trailer which gives a taster of the style of the film and the content :)
Danni
THE SIMS (3)
ReplyDeleteIts an interactive world, much like Second Life although you don’t directly interact with other users, where you can create a Sim, who can be an ‘alter ego’ of yourself, with life ambitions a career and a home. This simulacrum is furthered by the Sims need to shower, eat and sleep just like you.
You can buy and sell furniture on the Sims online shop, which alongside the 3D nature (which allows to watch TV with your Sim or feel a part of a party) heightens the hyperreality.
The advancement in technology allows you to create photo albums or films (like this one of Twighlight/New Moon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4oBeQ6Qodg&feature=pyv&ad=4046580794&kw=new%20moon%20trailer). Now aspiring directors, architects, interior designers and fashion designers can all practice their trade from their home.
Furthermore, expansion packs such as ‘World Adventures’ allows you to visit Egypt, China and France which some players may never have visited and passive audiences may form their views of such places on.
The intertextuality is continued from the original Sims where current celebrities can be seen in ‘movie town’ often dressed in the outfit they were famous for. For example Christina Aguilera is seen wearing the outfit from Genie in a Bottle. As a comment on our celeb culture there is also a stalker who follows fame seeking Sims around.
o damn the first one did work. sorry.
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