- I know it’s technically called (500) Days of Summer, but I left off the parentheses because I’m 96% sure that would make it come before all other numbers in an alphabetical listing of all my posts and that would bother me. I realise this is very anal.
- I feel like “romantic comedy” gives a false set of expectations here. Not the expectation that you’re going to get a generic rom-com, since it’s clear from the trailer this will not be the case. I don’t really know how to explain it, as there are romantic moments and comedic moments but they don’t add up to a romantic comedy. Mostly I just tend to think rom-coms are more depressing than amusing. Maybe this movie just wants to occupy the same pretentious space as the main characters by trying to keep what it is undefinable. Whatever it is, it’s enjoyable.
- I love Joseph Gordon Levitt. I need to see more of his movies. He needs to be in more stuff, always. He’s unexpected like the Spanish Inquisition. He creeps up behind you with his singular type of awesome. I would have ten thousand of his babies. He is excellent. He makes you want to slap Summer upside the head and ask her how, if he’s looking at you like he does at her, she can possibly be unsure about him. HOW, I ASK YOU, HOW. Ugh. Intense. Pardon me.
- This is not saccharine and I feel that is a major feat given that there is a large dance production that culminates with the inclusion of an animated bluebird whistling merrily on Tom’s finger. All the cheery, lovey dovey stuff is tempered with moments of despair and moroseness and it’s this constant flip flopping that makes everything bearable. Also, there’s no “meet cute” moment, which I think says a lot.
- Speaking of the major dance production, the highlight for me was when self-satisfied Tom looks at his reflection in a car window and sees Han Solo’s face staring back at him. PRICELESS. You know, sometimes he amazes even himself.
- Barney Stinson is right: architects are HOT.
- I feel like Tom’s rant at the group ideas sharing meeting was the kind of thing you’d be prone to in high school, not your mid-twenties, but perhaps I’ve always been far more cynical than most people.
- I enjoyed Tom’s apartment and most of all the chalkboard wall.
- All movie I was trying to place the guy who played Paul, and a quick IMDB search reveals he was one of the unpaid interns in The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou. Go get me a Campari.
- Summer was borderline precious in places (I’m 80% sure she probably eats macaroons, dyed blue to match her eyes) but she was saved by the short line about wanting to sing “Born to Run” at karaoke. Finally, something earnest about her.
- I enjoyed the obvious Ikea product placement.
- I feel very sterile about this review but I can’t put into words the weirdly personal reactions I’m having to it because, well, it’s awkward and difficult. Suffice it to say, I do not have a heart of stone. Sucks to be you, people who think I’m harsh and unyielding.
- Attention obnoxious couple beside me: if you wanted to spend an evening in conversation, there’s a Starbucks in the bookstore downstairs. Also, you both have obnoxious laughs so I’m glad you were able to find each other in this crazy world in order to spare anyone else who might have dated either of you.
500 Days of Summer
Better than its marketing efforts would have you believe.
IMDB Plot Synopsis An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman (Deschanel) who doesn't believe true love exists, and the young man (Gordon-Levitt) who falls for her.