With (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb perfectly captures the intricacies of relationships and love, but make no mistake this is no love story. By going down this anti-rom-com route, there's a good chance some viewers may be put off, perhaps due to being spoon fed a few too many mainstream 'happily ever afters' . That being said, fans of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Annie Hall will find a lot of enjoyment in this bittersweet indie film.
Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a strong believer in true love and believes that Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is 'the one'. Sadly, the new found girl of his dreams is sceptical about the concept of love. Nevertheless, after meeting at Tom's workplace, a greeting card company, they soon become romantically involved.
Scenes of their 500-day relationship are shown in a non linear format. Juxtaposing moments of utter bliss with soul-destroying anguish, it's during these highs and lows that we see each of their perceptions of the L word change and evolve.
Zooey Deschanel perfectly embodies the complex girl who got away - unsure of what she wants and afraid of commitment. She's the spanner in Tom's plans for a perfect relationship but also the cog that makes it all work.
Gordon-Levitt meanwhile proves that he can play a rom-com lead just as easily as playing an art-house hero, even if it isn't quite your average rom-com frontman role. Funny and likable throughout, it's through Tom that the films uplifting message is transferred.
With a kick-ass soundtrack to boot, (500) Days of Summer is an impressive first feature from Webb. Romance, comedy and drama, mixed with some crazy sequences thrown in to catch you off guard just when you think you've got it clocked. It's the feel good film which reflects modern relationships, reminding us all that love, fate and chance may come and go like Summer, but they do still exist.
Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a strong believer in true love and believes that Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is 'the one'. Sadly, the new found girl of his dreams is sceptical about the concept of love. Nevertheless, after meeting at Tom's workplace, a greeting card company, they soon become romantically involved.
Scenes of their 500-day relationship are shown in a non linear format. Juxtaposing moments of utter bliss with soul-destroying anguish, it's during these highs and lows that we see each of their perceptions of the L word change and evolve.
Zooey Deschanel perfectly embodies the complex girl who got away - unsure of what she wants and afraid of commitment. She's the spanner in Tom's plans for a perfect relationship but also the cog that makes it all work.
Gordon-Levitt meanwhile proves that he can play a rom-com lead just as easily as playing an art-house hero, even if it isn't quite your average rom-com frontman role. Funny and likable throughout, it's through Tom that the films uplifting message is transferred.
With a kick-ass soundtrack to boot, (500) Days of Summer is an impressive first feature from Webb. Romance, comedy and drama, mixed with some crazy sequences thrown in to catch you off guard just when you think you've got it clocked. It's the feel good film which reflects modern relationships, reminding us all that love, fate and chance may come and go like Summer, but they do still exist.
(500) Days of Summer is available on DVD now.
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