500 Days of Summer review
Beware of spoilers for 500 Days of Summer. I've wanted to see this film for months, I finally got to see it!
All of us have seen a romantic comedy at one point or another. We've either been dragged to the theater, seen it on DVD or seen it on television and we're all well aware that they're all the same. They're either A) not funny; B) over the top cliche, and C) totally unrelatable considering the wildish circumstance's that take place in those films. Over the years, during the time that I really started paying attention to films only one film seemed to be different than the typical rom/com - The Notebook. Yes, it's a predictable film but it's told well and it's touching. It's also led by two very talented actors. I'd say all of us can't relate to that film, however. Sure, we as humans who need some kind of connection to move us forward fantasize in an epic love story fashion - "why can't that kind of stuff happen to me". Sadly this is reality.
500 Days of Summer, since being released at film festivals and its run in theaters which is still going, has not only been getting great reviews from critics but has also been said to be very relatable to audiences. Among the great reviews is Zooey Deschanel who I adore and Joseph Gordon-Levitt who's said to be fantastic in this film. Since its early buzz I've been excited to see it and after being lazy and putting it off for a while, I finally saw 500 Days of Summer and I can tell you now it was totally worth the wait. I love this movie and it's one of my favorites for 2009.
"After it looks as if she's left his life for good this time, Tom Hansen reflects back on the just over one year that he knew Summer Finn. Despite being physically average in almost every respect, Summer had always attracted the attention of men, Tom included. For Tom, it was love at first sight when she walked into the greeting card company where he worked, she the new administrative assistant. Soon, Tom knew that Summer was the woman with whom he wanted to spend the rest of his life. Although Summer did not believe in relationships or boyfriends - in her assertion, real life will always ultimately get in the way - Tom and Summer became more than just friends. Through the trials and tribulations of Tom and Summer's so-called relationship, Tom could always count on the advice of his two best friends, McKenzie and Paul. However, it is Tom's adolescent sister, Rachel, who is his voice of reason. After all is said and done, Tom is the one who ultimately has to make the choice to listen or not." [IMDB]
I think deep down inside all of us are hopeless romantics, hoping that at some point in our lives we'll eventually meet someone who we can spend the rest of our lives with - soul mates, the one, whatever you'd like to call it. Some think it's destiny, fate, or already written somewhere. Some think it's just simple coincidence. I don't know what I believe, personally. To tell you the truth I try and not think about it because it could make a person crazy. All I know is some people rush into marriage because... well, I don't know why. That's not my plan. I'm going to take my time with finding someone and building a future. In short, my plans involve me and only me, for now at least.
500 Days of Summer, although a romantic comedy, isn't your typical formulaic film - A hopeless person finds someone, they fall in love, they break up, they get back together in a climax scene that is over the top unreal. No, 500 Days of Summer does something different or different in my experience of movie watching. It shows the more of the personal unraveling of someone when the person they love doesn't feel the same anymore; how they fall in love and how things can change at a moments notice and then rebound in a "life continues" sense.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt isn't a new actor but in my film going experience I've only seen him in one other thing - GI Joe, and I don't ever want to mention that film again. He's still an experienced actor probably best known for his role of Tommy on 3rd Rock from the Sun which I never watched. So here's Levitt in a new film, the first time I'm seeing him in something that I've been interested in and now after watching it and loving it, Levitt in my opinion deserves an Oscar nomination. He's absolutely fantastic in this film and with everything I've seen so far this year, he's the clear Academy Award winner. Now, that's my opinion, the academy may have different nods in their minds. He plays all sides of the emotional spectrum - content and satisfied, happy, love sick, angry, full of pain and surprised. All of which are emotions we've been through - some of which suck beyond measure. It's hard for me to place a moment when Levitt shines because, honestly, he shines the entire film but I think if I had to choose one it would be the final act of the film leading up to the final scene which I won't spoil.
If your a guy, most likely you're going to be invested in Tom, Levitt's character, so that being the case you're going to feel his pain when dealing with Summer played by the lovely Zooey Deschanel. As much as I love Deschanel, I hated her character. No, it's not because her performance wasn't good - in fact it is excellent and like Levitt she deserves an Oscar nod, but it's her character. We've all known that girl - someone who is so amazing when your with that eventually turns around and wants nothing more than to be friends even after so much is share emotionally and sometimes sexually. I've seen Deschanel in several films and I've always thought she was hot and very talented granted some roles make her seem "wooden" (Tin Man for example). Here in this film, she brings her A game and I hope she gets rewarded for it during film award season.
There's so much to like about 500 Days of Summer - music, atmosphere, acting, certain cinematography, the humor and several other things. What I'd like to point out specifically are a couple of things starting with the short musical and dance sequence. Normally, I can't stand musicals, they're not my thing at all but this film makes such great use out of Hall and Oates You Make My Dreams Come True during a comedic dance in the park, showing us Tom's high point with his relationship with Summer. What was key with this scene, that made it even so much better when viewing, is the sort of cameo by Han Solo. No, not Harrison Ford but Han Solo.
I really loved a scene that was done which showed two things; expectations and reality. Done in split screen we were shown Tom's expectations with Summer and how things really played out which is so relatable at least in my experience. For example; your going out on a date - In your mind you plan out the perfect night. You're both laughing having a great time, you're eating great food, seeing a great movie, etc., when in fact things play out totally different - doesn't seem interested, or the person is texting on the phone, reveals that she has a daughter, or she's engaged..... ughh. Those last two things are out of my experience. Actually, the engaged thing doesn't really count. Anyhow, you get the idea and let me tell you, it doesn't end well for Tom and your heart breaks along with his.
500 Days of Summer did no wrong for me and although the film doesn't end the way some would expect it to, not in the cliche rom/com way, it's better for it as it's a very believable and relatable for everyone. Everyone of us have either been in Tom's shoes or Summer's shoes. Me personally, I've been Tom once or twice and it's not exactly a fun time. Sadly, however, I've never had a Han Solo moment - maybe a moment like that is in my future, who knows. I take it day by day but until then, I've got a great movie like this to watch. This, out of everything I've seen this year, might be my most recommended to readers and friends, among a couple of others. It's rare as it happens maybe once or twice a year, 500 Days of Summer gets a 10 out of 10 in my book and I can't wait to see it again!
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 500 Days of Summer Movie Poster Photo  US $9.95
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 (500) Days of Summer (CD, Jul-2009, Sire Records USA) US $11.70
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 BRAND NEW! (500) DAYS OF SUMMER DVD - ZOOEY DESCHANEL US $16.95
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 BRAND NEW! (500) DAYS OF SUMMER DVD - ZOOEY DESCHANEL US $16.95
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I thought this was a great flick myself. He also stars in Brick, an indie flick that’s cool also. I actually did a fist pump when he saw himself as Han. Even though there was time jumps back and forth I like how the story itself was going forward the whole time. Creative Screen Writing has a good podcast interview with the writer.
I really love the trailer.
Loved the song, Regina Spektor rules.
And despite the film not being in my area, I made the long drive to see it and saw it twice.
Yet, I was horribly disappointed by the way it made Tom look like the relationship was all in his head. I mean she was having sex with the guy and sharing deep personal things. So how far off was he?
Better if there was no clear answer instead of, Tom making something our of nothing.
I did love the film, but felt that was a major flaw. 8/10
@Chris
I’m not sure I see your point. Isn’t that how life is - no clear answers. Yea, Tom and Summer shared so much but she didn’t commit. That happens all the time. I’ve seen it happen to folks and it sucks.
@Phil
The problem I had was that the movie was supposedly be about Tom going back and finding out WTF happened. And, yet from the very beginning Tom is often said to be unbalanced and doing things like this before.
I would have rather had him go through it all and as you said Phil, not to have an answer, just memories of moments which is..life.
Side Note: What denotes commitment? Sex, personal info, dating?
I can’t wait to see this one, it is finally opening on Friday down here in Mexico, and let me tell you, this girl has lots of fans down here
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