(500) Days of Summer (A- or 3.5/4 stars)
'(500) Days of Summer'. I wondered, what does that even mean? Of course, one of the main characters' names would be Summer. Already, I liked the quirky title. This film, directed by newcomer Marc Webb, chronicles the 500 days of a romance btwn. Tom Hansen & Summer Finn (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel). The layout of the film is non-linear; jumping around in time; forming incidents/points in their relationship to show us why, after 500 days, their romance ... is not a love story. Each incident is prefaced by the screen showing us what day of their courtship we're about to witness (43, 248, 1, 98, etc.). Thanks to the prologue informing us early on that this duo will not have a 'happily ever after' ending, we watch with interest how these 2 met, what drew them together, how it was while it lasted & why it doesn't quite work. This unique method is a welcomed change from most other rom-coms that come down the pike.
Tom is a hopeless romantic. And when he 1st sees Summer (at his greeting card company job), he's convinced that she's the one for him. Summer, however, has a more practical outlook on life & love. In fact, she refuses to believe in romantic love, as a concept. Still, she likes Tom & wants to be 'friends' with benefits. They chat, flirt, discuss hobbies, interests ... and before long (much to Tom's liking), they appear to be a couple. Tom loves Summer & hopes that, with time, she'll fall madly in love with him, as well. Situations arise, however, which changes the course of their relationship. And in a very smart split screen sequence - we see on the left how Tom expects an evening will go, and on the right, we see exactly how it really goes. Things may not go well for them. But the journey they take us on is wonderful. And we see how their lives have changed; simply as a result of having crossed paths way back on day #1 at the office.
'(500) Days of Summer' is one of those rare movies that makes an impression both while you're watching it, and well after it's over; one you'll think of fondly years from now. So few movies have that ability - that spark. You just know it when you feel it. I have heard comparisons that this movie could be to this generation what Annie Hall was to the 70's. This film can't be as iconic as that film (not in today's age). But I see the parallels: man falls madly in love, followed by a fun/funny courtship, trials, tribulations, self-loathing, antagonism towards the world, life-affirmations, rejuvenation, etc.. Both films deconstruct(ed) modern relationships in fresh, new, realistic ways that audiences can appreciate. That's why they're so interesting.
'(500) Days ...' is bittersweet, funny, well-acted, well-written, well-directed, well-detailed, beautifully shot, has great music & really says something about the unpredictable paths that life & love can take you -- all of this in 96 minutes. And it doesn't have to rely on any dirty/pratfall type of humor to get a rise out of us. New director, Marc Webb, gives us some unforgettable sequences, full of panache: when Tom & Summer test out their new furniture in IKEA (haha). Throughout the film, there are faux movie recreations where Gordon-Levitt & Deschanel are substituted in for pre-existing characters. And I loved a whimsical scene in which Tom celebrates his newfound love while dancing in the street. The narrative jumps around a lot (time-wise), but the writing (evolving naturally out of the characters & their situations) is amazingly astute at keeping us interested. And the best aspect of the film is the easy chemistry btwn. the 2 leads ...
Summer & Tom (a bit more so) are full-bodied characters thanks to the great performances from Joseph & Zooey. The fact that these actors are well-known, but not famous, makes the revelation of the movie even more potent. Both characters have shortcomings, but they're so damned likeable that we just go along for their ride. Gordon-Levitt is relatable, grounded, funny & just nails this performance. He's the inexperienced romantic in all of us guys. And I find Deschanel (someone who's never wowed me) completely beguiling; sunny, goofy, & loveable. As Tom mentions, Summer is 5'5", 121 lbs., normal, and yet, she has that ineffable, irresistible presence; one that makes heads turn in her direction. If I have one complaint of the movie, it's that - Tom is such a rootable, empathetic character, that as we watch his bittersweet romance suffers ... I, too, was suffering with him. The film ends on a slight uptick, & I was grateful for that. Overall, '(500) Days of Summer' is a wonderful little movie about unrequited 'love'. It's cute, quirky, heartfelt, smart, & I highly recommend it.
Tom is a hopeless romantic. And when he 1st sees Summer (at his greeting card company job), he's convinced that she's the one for him. Summer, however, has a more practical outlook on life & love. In fact, she refuses to believe in romantic love, as a concept. Still, she likes Tom & wants to be 'friends' with benefits. They chat, flirt, discuss hobbies, interests ... and before long (much to Tom's liking), they appear to be a couple. Tom loves Summer & hopes that, with time, she'll fall madly in love with him, as well. Situations arise, however, which changes the course of their relationship. And in a very smart split screen sequence - we see on the left how Tom expects an evening will go, and on the right, we see exactly how it really goes. Things may not go well for them. But the journey they take us on is wonderful. And we see how their lives have changed; simply as a result of having crossed paths way back on day #1 at the office.
'(500) Days of Summer' is one of those rare movies that makes an impression both while you're watching it, and well after it's over; one you'll think of fondly years from now. So few movies have that ability - that spark. You just know it when you feel it. I have heard comparisons that this movie could be to this generation what Annie Hall was to the 70's. This film can't be as iconic as that film (not in today's age). But I see the parallels: man falls madly in love, followed by a fun/funny courtship, trials, tribulations, self-loathing, antagonism towards the world, life-affirmations, rejuvenation, etc.. Both films deconstruct(ed) modern relationships in fresh, new, realistic ways that audiences can appreciate. That's why they're so interesting.
'(500) Days ...' is bittersweet, funny, well-acted, well-written, well-directed, well-detailed, beautifully shot, has great music & really says something about the unpredictable paths that life & love can take you -- all of this in 96 minutes. And it doesn't have to rely on any dirty/pratfall type of humor to get a rise out of us. New director, Marc Webb, gives us some unforgettable sequences, full of panache: when Tom & Summer test out their new furniture in IKEA (haha). Throughout the film, there are faux movie recreations where Gordon-Levitt & Deschanel are substituted in for pre-existing characters. And I loved a whimsical scene in which Tom celebrates his newfound love while dancing in the street. The narrative jumps around a lot (time-wise), but the writing (evolving naturally out of the characters & their situations) is amazingly astute at keeping us interested. And the best aspect of the film is the easy chemistry btwn. the 2 leads ...
Summer & Tom (a bit more so) are full-bodied characters thanks to the great performances from Joseph & Zooey. The fact that these actors are well-known, but not famous, makes the revelation of the movie even more potent. Both characters have shortcomings, but they're so damned likeable that we just go along for their ride. Gordon-Levitt is relatable, grounded, funny & just nails this performance. He's the inexperienced romantic in all of us guys. And I find Deschanel (someone who's never wowed me) completely beguiling; sunny, goofy, & loveable. As Tom mentions, Summer is 5'5", 121 lbs., normal, and yet, she has that ineffable, irresistible presence; one that makes heads turn in her direction. If I have one complaint of the movie, it's that - Tom is such a rootable, empathetic character, that as we watch his bittersweet romance suffers ... I, too, was suffering with him. The film ends on a slight uptick, & I was grateful for that. Overall, '(500) Days of Summer' is a wonderful little movie about unrequited 'love'. It's cute, quirky, heartfelt, smart, & I highly recommend it.