Title: 500 Days of Summer
Year: 2009
Director: Marc Webb
Writer: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel
Length: 95 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10 (105 in the top 250)
My Rating: 9.4/10: A

Here’s Why:
Finally, I can walk away from a film and NOT feel like “well, that was ok, but it wasn’t worth paying X amount of dollars and a couple of hours of my time to go see it.” A sad commentary on the current state of cinema indeed. Instead, with 500 Days we have the perfect romantic comedy, not a love story. The movie UNchronologically shows us various days in Tom’s (Levitt) emotional journey with the object of his obsession, the gorgeous and seemingly unattainable Summer (Deschanel). The flick is unique because it employs many bizarre, but original tactics to convey plot, humor, and a message. These include a black and white video of characters being interviewed on what “love” means to them, a rarely effective break out into song and dance to symbolize overwhelming euphoria, a split screen contrasting expectations and reality, amongst others. In the theater seated around me was a shockingly unhip crowd for such a hip show. No Offense! But, it was mostly old folks and pre-pubescent gals. Typically, not of the hipster persuasion. It was hilarious though, as I entered the room, one of the geezers whispered to me “chick flick.” I suppose. But, then again I will refute that. This film, like Juno perhaps appeals to the femmes more than the dudes, because they deal with romance and not action, violence, sports, or gross out humor. But it is unfair to label such as “chick flicks,” because they have far more meaning and integrity than most movies that fall under that umbrella. I actually think girls really need to see this because it remains very true to life by accurately displaying how they drive us guys completely crazy with their mind games! And at that token, men and boys alike should find comfort and humor in relating with the male lead and his troubles. Overall, a fantastic masterpiece, with truly colorful, believable characters, witty, laugh out loud comedy, endearing story, and very appropriate soundtrack: Smiths, Black Lips, Kickass!!!
GO SEE IT NOW!!!

Chris