Rojo(500) Days of Summer (2009)
(500) Days of Summer is an exceptional movie in the notoriously weak genre known as the romantic comedy. It's a category defined by Matthew McConaughey's numerous back alley abortions. The movie starts with the stark proclamation "this is not a love story" and for once, it isn't. Ladies, don't worry however romance is the driving force and it's the most prominent feature. It's set in LA and makes the city look beautiful, no small feat, considering the geography of the city.
The storyline begins with Tom Hansen falling in love with Summer Finn and how the relationship progresses. It's told through a flashback / jump forward format which seemed a bit hectic at first. As the movie progresses however the anti-climatic nature of such an arrangement really adds to the interest in the events in between. This was a great call by rookie director Marc Webb and shows the depth of emotion he is capable of mining.
It's as much a coming of age story as it is a love story as Joseph Gordon-Levitt turns from a love-stoned boy into a cynical man. His performance throughout the transformation was remarkable which helped carry Zooey Deschanel's average performance as the distant Summer.
As, a straight male I wasn't overly excited to see this but was gently coerced, as is always the case, by my significant other. To my skepticism it was an enjoyable movie and notably complimented by the leading inclusion of the Smiths music. I found myself humming "There is a light that never goes out." by the Smiths as I left the theater, hand in hand.
Joesph Gordon-Levitt shares an elevator with Zooey Deschanel
The storyline begins with Tom Hansen falling in love with Summer Finn and how the relationship progresses. It's told through a flashback / jump forward format which seemed a bit hectic at first. As the movie progresses however the anti-climatic nature of such an arrangement really adds to the interest in the events in between. This was a great call by rookie director Marc Webb and shows the depth of emotion he is capable of mining.
It's as much a coming of age story as it is a love story as Joseph Gordon-Levitt turns from a love-stoned boy into a cynical man. His performance throughout the transformation was remarkable which helped carry Zooey Deschanel's average performance as the distant Summer.
As, a straight male I wasn't overly excited to see this but was gently coerced, as is always the case, by my significant other. To my skepticism it was an enjoyable movie and notably complimented by the leading inclusion of the Smiths music. I found myself humming "There is a light that never goes out." by the Smiths as I left the theater, hand in hand.
