"(500) Days of Summer" is the freshest and most original romantic comedy I've seen in a long time.
I use the term "romantic comedy" loosely, as that's really the closest-fitting genre I can think of for this film. I'm sure some would argue that it's more of a black comedy, but it really doesn't fit there, either.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as a Tom, a boy who still believes in the notion of a transforming, cosmically destined, lightning-strikes-once kind of life. Zooey Deschanel plays Summer, a girl who doesn't.
But that doesn't stop Tom from going after her, again and again.
The driving force that makes this movie work (aside from the script) is Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel. They are perfect in their respective roles as a young couple who with two varying perspectives on life, and this causes much heartache for Gordon-Levitt's Tom.
The movie is presented in a non-chronological format -- each scene being introduced to explain which of the 500 days it represents. Initially, we are treated to scenes involving the breakup of the couple and how distraught the situation has made Tom. The rest of movie involves the start of the relationship and its eventual downfall.
It's really quite fun and humorous for the viewer to watch the highs and lows of this chaotic courting.
Trust me, "(500) Days of Summer" is totally worth your hard-earned cash, particularly if you're seeing it on a date night, as both parties can enjoy it for different reasons.
All I know is that this is one of those films my wife and I both adore to the same degree, and because of that, you can bet we'll be picking it up when it's released on DVD.
4 buckets.
