(500) Days of Summer

When I first heard of the title, just the title, I thought it would be like another horror flick. You know, like 30 Days of Night.

However, this is not a horror flick. They call it a rom-com. But I don't. To me, it's a beautiful love story. Beautifully written, and beautifully directed.

We can praise this four ways.

First, non-linearity. Hooray for postmodern storytelling. Because love is meant to be told in emotional outbursts, not in some predictable timeline.

Second, great soundtrack. Rarely do I get excited about film soundtracks, and this is one of those times. And they actually used a song by Patrick Swayze. R.I.P. Swayze.

Third, excellent performances. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is actually a great actor, and I've already seen this ever since he played Cobra Commander in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. And Zooey Deschanel---I love her. I even wrote a poem for her. Well, it's a rap verse, but who cares.

Fourth, great story. As in it was a really great script. Well, you can always expect great scripts from Fox Searchlight. Plus the fact that this was actually based on real people and inspired by real events makes it even more heart-wrenching. And that clincher at the very end, the very last words of the film---I love it.

Now, if you've been in love, or if you haven't been in love, or if you don't believe in love, this film is for you. That's why this film worked. It caters to everybody, while making them feel that their stance on love is actually the correct one.


*some info from IMDb
pic from scene-stealers.com


(500) Days of Summer. USA. 2009.


Rating: Nine out of ten.
Dance number in the park: One point deduction.
Using a Hall and Oates song in the dance number: Half a point.
Using 2D and not CGI to animate the bird in the dance number: Half a point.
Final rating: Still a nine out of ten.