"I love The Smiths."
"Yeah I'm stalking! I mean I'm starving."
"This is fun."
"Nobody loves Ringo Starr." "That's what I love about him."
"I've never told anybody that before."
I tend to get quite obsessive about films I adore and 500 Days of Summer (2009) starring Zooey Deschanel (Failure To Launch- in which she is absolutely hilarious) and Joseph Gordon- Levitt (90s classic 10 Things I Hate About You) is, after watching it 3 times within a week and a half, one of my favourites. It is just beautiful; disjointed, unpredictable and wonderful to watch, as it darts backwards and forwards. It is so smartly written, sharp and above all an innovative approach to the themes it explores so well. The soundtrack is amazing too- easing between mellow, lyrical repetitiveness, up tempo beats and soft rock; The Temper Trap, Regina Spektor and The Smiths. The music is emotive and powerful, enabling you to become engrossed in the storyline and the ever present themes of falling in (and out) of love. You feel yourself entering the mindsets of both characters and undoubtedly, the result is a sense of understanding with regards to the feelings people simply have to deal with on screen. You really want them to be together.
The best aspect to the film is its completely original and non-stereotypical ideas and views that are presented to a viewer, which is certainly one of my favourite things about the film. What you have to understand about it and that is so bluntly but creatively stated at the beginning of the film with the help of a whimsical montage and the fantastic narration of Richard McGonagle, is that it is not a love story. It is a story about love. Nor it is led by the idea of sex or tarnished with overtly sexualized scenes and natures. Does this make the film appear more realistic? I think so. In parts, it is particularly funny with references to popular culture, memorable one liners and at times, main supporting cast members being the subject of hilarity. But it doesn't shy from resembling the truth and is most definitely not frightened to appear blunt or harsh- it delves into it head first, which I feel adds a certain enlightenment and fascination that the vast majority of films within the same category are lacking. Tapping into the idea of being ‘cruel to be kind', it shows how hard 'relationships' can be and even if we do not always have mutual feelings about one another, life goes on and you will eventually find happiness. Just right now is not the time, but it could be tomorrow.
Deschanel is truly beautiful with a retro quality and is so very pretty; she is completely seductive without intention, which is what I think makes her character so endearing and interesting. You simply feel the need to be captured by her beauty and stare at her, which is something of an attractive, rather unique quality, combined and emphasised with her sweet persona and femininity.
As for her male counterpart, Gordon-Levitt is handsome and it is he in this case, who remains the more sensitive and receptive character. He is ‘geek-chic’ in a way, with his rolled up sleeves and red tie- something I find very attractive about him. And there is not a greased loin in sight. I actually fancy him quite a lot. His slicked back hair and suit look is something you do not want to miss, I assure you. Wow. I enjoy the styling throughout, which is of course something I noticed, as well as everything else about the film. It is subtle and simple, which is at times, a substantial contrast to their characters and the issues they are faced with. Nonetheless, both are witty and erudite, enjoy music and have goals they want to fulfill, just like any other couple. Only they are not a couple. And it's just that such goals will be reached at altering times in their lives. But they will happen if they are 'meant to be'...
500 Days of Summer is passionate, poignant, moving, consuming, unpredictable and absolutely heart-breaking but it is one of the most wonderful stories you will ever know.
WONDER FULL
