First off, I feel that I must warn you, 500 Days of Summer is NOT a love story. Rather, it’s a journey of discovery that ensues over the span of nearly a year and a half that sprouts when BOY MEETS GIRL. BOY FALLS IN LOVE. GIRL DOESN’T…
The she loves me, she loves me not, Sundance Film Festival hit 500 Days of Summer is an enchanting yet emotionally frustrating tale. The film takes a realistic stance on life and love rather than resorting to the stereotypical feel-good Hollywood success formula. This is done by showing the ”[conventional] highs and lows of infatuation, dating, sex, and separation [to produce an] unconventional tale of self-discovery and relationships” (Sundance).
The plot follows an Architectural design dropout turned sappy greeting card writer named Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who falls head over heels for happy-go-lucky secretary Summer (Zooey Deschanel), whom he believes to be the girl of his dreams. The story dodges back and forth between the “couples” intimate and completely platonic relationship from where it leaves off to where it begins.
It is an artistic cinematic piece that is deserving of the praise it has received from critics and fans alike. Furthermore, the soundtrack is an amazing work of art featuring songs by Regina Spektor, The Smiths, Wolfmother and actors Levitt and Deschanel. The consensus? Have a nice evening out and enjoy the visually stunning, refreshing, funny, charming, frustrating yet, sensationally realistic tale Levitt and Deschanel paint. If at the very least, close your eyes, relax and enjoy the soundtrack.
[Fox Searchlight] Rotten Tomatoes rating (88% Top Critics & RT-Community 92%)
Awesome film!