[500] Days of Summer (2009)

Reel rating: 4/5

Reel commentary: ... we know we’re witnessing that ever-elusive magic that so many on-screen couples hope to channel, but so few do. And most importantly, the actors are successful in making us want their characters to be together.

By Frank Wilkins

Writers Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber – one single and recovering from a badly bruised heart, the other in a long-term relationship - combine their admittedly limited collective experiences of love to pen a unique and profoundly realistic story of the brief relationship between a boy and a girl… OK, a romantic comedy.  But unlike many examples of the genre, (500) Days of Summer is told from the guy’s perspective, making it a bitter, harsh, and unapologetically honest examination of love and heartbreak. In fact, an opening voice-over intones “this is not a love story,” letting us know that what we are about to see won’t be typical.

The film plays out like an anatomy of a romance as recalled by the selective memory of a jilted lover. Tom’s (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) story lurches back and forth along the 500-day path of his and Summer’s (Zooey Deschanel) relationship. The film opens with the couple sitting on a park bench, both examining an engagement ring on her finger. Then it jumps backward to day 1 (as denoted by a title card graphic) when they met, then forward again to day 200 (or thereabouts), then back to day 35… and so on.

(L-R) Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. All images copyright © 2009 Fox Searchlight Pictures.

This non-linear method of storytelling gained popularity with 2000’s out-of-nowhere hit Memento and led to a rash of films latching onto the gimmick, regardless of whether or not it made thematic sense. In 500 Days it makes for some truly entertaining moments as Tom digs back through the memory banks of his relationship. Scenes of abject misery, rejection and agony are often followed by moments of sheer glee that erupt into dancing in the streets. A cute method of storytelling that not only jazzes up a well-worn genre, but also makes perfect sense as our own memories work that way – one wonderful thought often triggering another bad memory as we slowly begin to recall how they were all connected.

Gimmicky storytelling methods aside, there are plenty of other things in the film that work to near perfection. Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel worked together previously in the indie drama Manic, but here their on-screen chemistry jumps off the screen and into our laps. From the moment Tom lays eyes on Summer in the cubicled office of the greeting card company where they both work, we know we’re witnessing that ever-elusive magic that so many on-screen couples hope to channel, but so few do. And most importantly, the actors are successful in making us want their characters to be together.

Almost everything first-time Director Marc Webb explores rings true. He cut his teeth on TV commercials and music videos so it makes sense that a rousing dance number gets the laughs that it does, but first-time helmers are rarely successful at effectively incorporating such disassociated effects as split-screen, voice-over narration, graphic title-cards, and cartoon matting, all in the same movie. Webb certainly stamps the film with his own sense of playfulness, but he never comes off as if he’s cheaply mocking the idea of love by putting it in funny and uncomfortable situations to garner a quick laugh. He’s mostly successful because he takes a wonderful story about a relationship and makes it fun to watch. The comedy never seems forced and the romance always feels real. Both are traits most often overlooked or badly missed in romantic comedies.

As we stroll through the story of Tom and Summer, experiencing the highs and lows, and the good with the bad, we never feel as if we’ll only be satisfied with a happy ending. We know from the opening scenes that things don’t go well for Tom and Summer, but somehow the filmmakers have made us not care so much about that. Instead we’re satisfied with the entertaining journey. When it’s over, we’re left with a striking reminder that love is often cruel, harsh and extremely difficult, but it’s also, by far, the best thing life has to offer.

Frank Wilkins



Comments

Frank Says: June 10th, 2007 at 11:54 More 500 Days of Summer quotes: "It's official. I'm in love with Summer. " "The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman. Bitch. " "Just because she's likes the same bizzaro crap you do doesn't mean she's your soul mate.!" "Just some guy she met at the gym with Brad Pitt's face and Jesus' abs. "

Monica Says: July 25, 2009 at 17:08 best movie i've ever seen

coro Says: Aug 10, 2009 at 12:29 More 500 Days of Summer quotes: "Who would want to make something disposable like a building when you could make something that'd last forever, like a greeting card?"

mick Says: Aug 14, 2009 at 15:06 I LOVE this movie! Wonderful.

Jane Says: Aug 15, 2009 at 22:57 best movie ever!

yannie Says: Sep 24, 2009 at 00:29 im, inlove with tom....

alyssa(: Says: Oct 16, 2009 at 01:13 i loved it :D its definitely one of my favorite movies (:

april Says: Oct 30, 2009 at 07:38 i so love the movie.. the plot.. the twist.. the ending.. the lines.. the soundtrack... just so perfect..

Nine Says: Nov 8, 2009 at 07:27 one of the best movies i've seen..:)

Xander Says: Nov 16, 2009 at 03:50 Very Inspiring Movie! Many people feel this way, especially in the part of TOM! Like Me! = )

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