OK, up front, this is a romantic comedy. That said, I put it up with the best movies ever, 10/10, and the top 2 points are due to its message–a deist message on love. And it’s about time.
On top of being an outstanding movie in the usual aspects (acting, interesting story, use of music etc.), the whole point of the movie is imparting the message that there is no such thing as fate, meant to be, soul mates, destiny, kismet and all the other divine providence baggage we tend to attach to love. I mean it stands to reason. If we found our (a) soul mate and, say, he or she were to die, does that mean we’ll never find another, perhaps even better match?
This movie says no, and I wholeheartedly agree. And I think it’s a message of great social import. Part of the reason the divorce courts are so full is because of the absurd belief that love conquers all. When we find out it doesn’t, when we discover that no one is a perfect match and that love requires work AND COMPROMISE, and that God hasn’t joined them together, disillusionment sets in hard. We retreat into an egocentric universe instead of one centered on the pair.
Perhaps there will be a sequel [say i Days of Autumn[/i]], that will tackle the subject of what love actually is, and isn’t. Such as: love is not an emotion, it is a reasoned committment which guides, and is supported and driven by, the emotions. But if Summer can get its message across, we’ll be 9 tenths of the way there.