(500) Days of Summer Review

By: Jordan Clark
We’ve all had that moment when we’ve gone to see a movie expecting so much, and it falls way short. Often most of us see a movie and our expectations get pleasantly met. But there are times when you see a film and you leave getting everything you wanted and so much more. The latter would perfectly describe the Marc Webb directed (500) Days of Summer.
The basic plot of the film follows Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt of 3rd rock from the sun fame) and his quest to find his one true love. Along the way he stumbles upon Summer Finn (the beautiful Zooey Deschanel) and so begins the rise and decent of their relationship. From the get go we are told this isn’t a movie about love and it’s magic, more so it’s differing effects on people both positive and negative. This gives way to incredibly real and heart wrenching (in a good way) tale of relationships that many people will be able to relate to.
What really gives this movie it’s charm is the outstanding performances by Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel. Together they show how love can change people in so many ways, both in finding it and in turn loosing it. As Tom, Gordon-Levitt masterfully plays with the viewers heart strings, showing the joys of a young romantic who finally found his true love, as well as a broken man who lost the one woman he thinks can ever really make him happy. He’s both charming and endearing in his quest for love and by the end of the movie you want to stand up and cheer him on. Deschanel plays Summer perfectly, drawing you in initially, then leaving you just as confused and upset as Tom. As the story is told strictly from Toms point of view, you never really get to fully know and understand Summer, but that’s the point she’s supposed to seem close, yet so far out of reach. Deschanel does just that showing her playful and alluring nature at times, then switching to almost a shell of herself and you can feel her slowly slipping away from Tom. They play off of one another very naturally, bringing out all the little nuances of young love.
The cinematography is also outstanding, with captivating visual effects and shots that add to the emotion throughout the film. The other key note is the non-linear way the story is told by jumping back and forth through key points in the relationship. This helps to separate it from the basic cut and paste boy meets girl story usually told in romantic “dramadies”. It also helps make the film less predictable as you never know where things are truly going as your constantly moving throughout time. Another thing that really grabs your attention is the superb soundtrack, which is strategically used to add more depth and emotion to key moments film.
While many are quick to compare (500) Days of Summer to Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind, there is a definite different quirkiness to this film that lets it stand on it’s own. The acting is excellent, the shots are amazing, and the story is the kind that sticks deep down inside you and makes an impression. This is not a date movie, as you might end up looking at your significant other a little differently afterwards; more so it’s a realistic look at the powers of love on people and how easy it is to get wrapped up in it all. Although (500) Days of Summer isn’t playing in major theaters just yet (though it really should be), it’s well worth the trip to your local independent theater to enjoy this wonderfully entertaining and captivating film.

Check out the trailer for (500) Days Of Summer right here!