I have been spinning in circles a bit when it comes to living seasonally for the last few weeks. We are right on the cusp of autumn. There are finally splashes of red cropping up in the tree line, yet 80+ degree days persist. I am trying to think of this very late part of summer as a micro-season, those few weeks that bridge us between proper summer and autumn. There are a few deeply summer-y elements - the days are still hot and the summer produce is abundant. At the same time fall is gradually creeping in - the nights are cooler and starting earlier. The school year has well and truly begun. As a society we’re all settling back into routines.

As a balm to this strange in-between time, I have a favorite end of summer tradition to share. Each year, to officially mark the end of summer and transition into fall I watch the move Dan in Real Life. This 2007 movie is all about an extended family closing up their summer house for the year. The cast of characters include a caring and brutally honest set of grandparents, their adult children and partners, and the youngest generation of cousins. The heart of the story centers around Dan, a widower raising his three daughters and working as a newspaper columnist. The daughters’ are going through their own dramas and each one perfectly encapsulate the small comings of age we experience growing up. The youngest sister wants her parent’s attention, the middle thinks she has found true love, and the oldest is seeking independence, wanting to finally drive a car.

There is so much to love in this movie. There are lots of gorgeous shots of this cozy (and giant!) summer house, heart-warming family traditions including a crossword competition to determine who does the dishes, a meet-cute in a bookshop and a dozens of memorable lines. Every character is lovable and the whole world of Dan in Real Life is one you’ll want to step into.

The atmosphere of the movie in particular is just right for this time of year. The film’s soundtrack feels deeply autumnal. All the songs are by Sondre Lerche, a lovely Norwegian singer-songwriter. Flannels and vests and sweaters abound. Each shot is filled with cozy shelves of books, a big stone fireplace, and an abundance of warm lighting.

It’s a romantic comedy for sure, but the narrative around family shines the brightest. Last night I put Dan in Real life on, lit a candle and started on a jigsaw puzzle I’ve been looking forward to. It was just what I needed to officially send off the summer months and start embracing fall. If you’re looking for a seasonal balm to mark this transition, may I recommend watching Dan in Real Life this weekend?

If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also enjoy:

• summer watching: movies that feel like summertime

• summer reading: poems for september

• summer reading: a late summer page turner

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