Natural: (500) Days is quite the unusual movie compared to other entries into the romantic comedy genre recently. Following a chaotic timelne, an “actions-speak-louder-than-words” not-romance, and a tween guru of relationships, the movie could have fumbled pretty easily. But the movie is swift and seamless as you try to break down and analyze Summer and Tom's relationship with what you're shown. The accessibility of the movie is a strong testament towards the writers and the excellent script they have provided here. Sad when it needs to be, funny when it gets too sad, and bright when things look grim, (500) Days of Summer is an extremely expressive and natural movie-going experience.
Innovative: This is a story of boy meets girl, but it's not a love story. It is a story about love, heartbreak, and hopeful horizons. Director Marc Webb and writers Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber manage to make the quirky rom-com unique. Using a flexible timeline device, the writers are able to show all of the important aspects of Tom and Summer's relationship. The beauty of this narrative device? They almost completely avoid tired cliches that have corrupted the genre from the inside out. Gone is the melodramatic third act or the corny, montage-filled second act. Also the enthusiastic directing adds to the refreshing feel of the movie, with some small devices here and there and some art-inspired scenes. One major highlight of the directing? The amusing musical number with Jospeh Gordon-Levitt. The director obviously has fun and so does the audience.
Emotional: Tom and Summer are the main reasons to see the movie. No, they're not super-models and they're not half-naked for 75% of the movie, but Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel provide superb performances here. The hopeless romantic Tom just happens to fall for his office's new assistant, the anti-romantic Summer. Yet the fact that they are dysfunctional in an entirely believable way is what really hits you with the movie. The two share a deep connection, but neither are entirely sure of what they want. I can tell you right now, that this is what audiences want and the ending will leave most satisfied.
Overall - Highly Recommended
For all of the shitty, melodramatic, and cliched love movies out there you owe it to yourself to see something different. With that I give you (500) Days of Summer: a superb, witty, and innovative movie about love.
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