"(500) Days of Summer" is not your traditional romantic comedy, though it does warn audiences of this upfront. It is told from a guy's point-of-view, however he is the pursuer and the ultimate romantic in the relationship. Joseph Gordon-Levitt gives a break through performance in this non-rom-com, displaying the gamut of emotions in a relationship without ever over-acting. The material is fresh and hip, with plenty of humorous moments and larger-than-life characters. The movie successfully skews the romantic comedy conventions while still giving credence to the necessities. While it is not the next "Juno," it is a movie worth seeing, better than most of the rom-coms with bigger name talent.
Thomas (Joseph Gordon-Levitt; "G.I. Joe") falls in love with Summer (Zooey Deschanel; "Yes, Man"), a new co-worker at a greeting card company. She is not looking for a serious relationship and warns Thomas of this fact from the beginning. Just when everything seems to be going so well for the "non-couple," Summer gets nervous and starts looking for a way out. The movie explores their relationship by jumping back and forth from beginning to middle to end, humorously marking the day as the film moves back and forth in time Thomas must decide whether there is a life for him with Summer or without.
The dialogue is amusing and contemporary, giving the characters plenty to say without saying too much. Gordon-Levitt gives an outstanding performance of a man looking for love and dealing with heartbreak. Deschanel is solid in her role as the gun shy woman who can not make a commitment. The backdrop of working at a greeting card company gives plenty of material for laughs as Thomas excels and flags at writing cards depending on how his relationship is going.
This is an out-of-the-mainstream romantic-comedy that warns you from the beginning against relying on a happy ending. It manages to be ironic and counter-culture without being bitter and unapproachable. There is a hip soundtrack that is reminiscent of the quirky tunes from "Juno." "500 Days of Summer" successfully deconstructs the rom-com while telling a romantic tale that will cause audiences to swoon and shed a tear. I recommend seeing it if you enjoy more serious romantic films with an ironic sensibility.
Rated PG-13 for sexual material and language.
