Fulfilling Man’s Fantasy: Why Manic Pixie Dream Girl in “500 Days of Summer” is Hated?

 

15 years after “500 Days of Summer” was released, Summer is still known as an evil character that people hate. While being, she is designed as a perfect and ideal woman. As the love interest of Tom, the movie's main character, she is described as pretty, cool, and “different” from most women.

 

This character is not a new archetype in the cinematic world. There is a term called “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” to describe the character Summer. So, what about this archetype character?

 

What is Manic Pixie Dream Girl?

 

Manic Pixie Dream Girl was first mentioned by movie critic Nathan Rabin in his blog column “My Year of Flops” in 2007. He mentioned the term referring to Claire in the “Elizabeth Town” movie played by Kirsten Dunst.

 

 “Dunst embodies the type of character I like to call The Manic Pixie Dream Girl. This character exists only in the imagination of writers and directors to save a young man from embracing life and its infinite mysteries and adventures,” Rabin explained in his column.

 

Rabin defines MPDG as a cheerful figure in bubbly cinema - as if full of fun things like the world of unicorns, but tends to be shallow (making the plot seem forced). In his description, MPDG characters are girls who have their uniqueness, look attractive, and make the male character smitten, but don't know where their backgrounds come from and what their character development is like.

 

This quirky, whimsical woman’s character exists to inspire and catalyze the male protagonist's emotional growth previously appeared in movies such as “Sam” in Garen State (2004), “Clementine” in Eternal Sunshine in The Spotless Mind (2004), and “Claire” in Elizabeth Town (2005).

 

Returning to the subject, Summer from 500 Days of Summer is often identified as a Manic Pixie Dream Girl (MPDG) due to certain traits she exhibits. Let's break this down further.

 

Why is Summer a Manic-Pixie Dream Girl?

 

First, the Manic Pixie Dream Girl is a "superhero" for melancholic young men. This character is only present in the imagination of sensitive story writers to be a “superhero” figure for male characters whose lives are sad or aimlessly flat. With the presence of the female character as MPDG, the boys experience a process of reflection and adventure that changes their lives to be more organized and fresh.

 

Before Tom meets Summer in 500 Days of Summer, his life is marked by dissatisfaction and unfulfilled dreams. He is depicted as a person with an unfulfilling job, loneliness yearning for love, and lack of self-awareness.

 

After Tom meets Summer, various aspects change. The emotional aspects Summer brought to Tom’s life can be seen through their connection established through simple yet meaningful moments, such as discussing The Smiths’ songs in the elevator. This instant bond resonates with Tom, providing him with a sense of excitement and companionship.

 

Despite knowing she doesn’t return his romantic feelings, Summer remains supportive and caring towards Tom. For instance, she walks to his apartment in the rain to apologize, demonstrating empathy and concern for his emotions.

 

This shows that Summer has suitable features of MPDG by being the “Superhero” of Tom’s boring and unfulfilling life. Even the cinematic colour shifted from muted colours, primarily browns and beige, to a vibrant bright colour. This depicts that Tom’s life is livelier after meeting Summer.

 

Second, bubbly and playful character traits. MPDG is often characterized by her bubbly and playful characteristics, which serve to inspire and uplift the male protagonist in various narratives. MPDGs are known for their spontaneous nature, often making decisions based on impulse rather than careful planning. Through their adventurous outlook, MPDGs often serve as catalysts for change in the lives of melancholic men.

 

Summer is described as a character characterized by being pretty, sweetly dressed, and bright-eyed, but likes rock music that is not mainstream, and is anti-commitment. Summer’s spontaneous nature is evident when she encourages Tom to embrace life without overthinking. For instance, she suggests a spontaneous trip to a local park, where they enjoy a carefree day together. This impulsive decision reflects her adventurous spirit and ability to break Tom out of his routine.

 

Throughout the film, Summer engages in playful banter with Tom, showcasing her whimsical personality. One memorable scene is when they share a playful moment at a karaoke bar, where Summer's carefree attitude allows Tom to let loose and enjoy the moment. Her playfulness serves as a contrast to Tom's often serious demeanour.

 

Third, the characters seem to be one-dimensional and have no real issues. Film critic Camilla Collar also thinks that MPDG is a one-dimensional character who seems to be only made to please the male character. The girl doesn't seem to have any real issues in their life that need to be resolved.

 

Throughout the film, Summer is primarily defined by her physical appearance and whimsical personality traits. Tom describes her as beautiful and quirky, but we learn little about her inner life or motivations. The audience sees her mostly through Tom's idealized lens, which reduces her to a collection of attractive attributes rather than a fully realized character with complexities and struggles of her own.

 

The film hints at a troubled past—specifically, the impact of her parents' divorce on her views about love—but this backstory is not explored in depth. Instead, it serves as a brief explanation for why she is hesitant about relationships. This limited exploration prevents viewers from understanding her character beyond the superficial level, reinforcing the notion that she lacks real issues that could add complexity to her persona.

 

Why is Summer Hated?

In 500 Days of Summer, Summer is initially portrayed as the ideal dream girl, a vibrant hero who transforms a dull life into a colourful adventure. Designed to meet male expectations, she exists to complement the male protagonist's existence and serves as a saviour from monotony. This characterization captivates audiences, making them hopeful for her role in the story.

 

However, as the narrative unfolds, Summer breaks free from this archetype. She transitions from a "hero" to an "anti-hero," intended to enhance Tom's life but ultimately becoming a disruptor of his happiness. This shift leads to mixed feelings about her character; while she starts as the quintessential Manic Pixie Dream Girl, she defies those expectations and evolves into a rebellious figure, even resembling a Femme Fatale. Many viewers perceive her as straying from the destiny originally assigned to her character.

 

When we take a closer look, the concept of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl reveals itself to be a false mystery. These characters are idealized constructs that don’t reflect reality. They are crafted through the perceptions of male characters, delicate writers, and sensitive directors to fulfill men's fantasies.

 

This portrayal often carries sexist undertones, reducing women to mere plot devices in a man's narrative. The shallow depiction suggests that the sole purpose of an MPDG is to "fix" the male lead’s life, serving as an easy solution to advance the storyline. Women should be celebrated for their unique identities and complexities, contributing to their own stories rather than just facilitating those of men.

 

In essence, while Summer begins as an enchanting dream girl, her journey challenges traditional tropes, inviting audiences to reconsider what it means for women to be vibrant and alive in their narratives.

Movie Trailer: 

Source:

Kincir. (n.d.). Manic Pixie Dream Girl: Tipe Tokoh Cewek yang Bikin Cowok Mimpi Indah. Retrieved from https://kincir.com/movie/cinema/manic-pixie-dream-girl-tipe-tokoh-cewek-yang-bikin-cowok-mimpi-indah-jFQhxlwIe2yH/

The Jakarta Post. (2016, October 11). Manic Pixie Dream Girl: The Lethal Archetype. Retrieved from https://www.thejakartapost.com/youth/2016/10/11/manic-pixie-dream-girl-the-lethal-archetype.html