It’s always melancholy (yet optimistic) in Philadelphia
Photo / Chuck Zlotnick/Fox Searchlight Pictures
There’s a dubious municipal compliment (or two) by A.O. Scott in his New York Times July 17 review of “(500) Days of Summer,” the new rom-com set in Los Angeles:
“At first, I mistook the city for Chicago or Philadelphia or some other old-growth conurbation, and Mr. Webb, who has directed videos for artists as different as Miley Cyrus and My Chemical Romance, deserves credit for finding new and fresh perspectives on this overexposed metropolis. There are no beaches or Spanish-style bungalows in the hills, just a scruffy, comfortable atmosphere of melancholy optimism that suits Tom and Summer perfectly, in all their imperfection.”
Conurbation: (1915) “an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities” – Webster’s
So, Tom is the Philly or Chicago character, and Summer is L.A., or the other way around?
Posted by Thomas J. Walsh
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by PlanPhilly
PlanPhilly
In-depth, original reporting on housing, transportation, and development.
Philly’s Rail Park raises millions for next phase from state, federal grants
Organizers expect to complete the next step in turning the Reading Railroad Viaduct into a park in a few months, but there’s a long way to go.
6 days ago
Philly’s historic Mount Vernon cemetery could be yours for $1 million
Cemetery volunteers are working to make the urban forest open to families with loved ones buried there. It will be a long road ahead.
6 months ago
Listen 1:30
‘A little undercooked’: Sixers arena plan gets another icy reception from design panel
Nearly 50 people weighed in during the all-day hearing. The overwhelming majority had lingering concerns with the team’s updated plan.
10 months ago
Listen 0:58