There is something unmistakably affable about (500) Days of Summer, despite the accurate front-and-center warning that it is not a love story. Warning duly noted, a ‘story about love’ unfolds in a way that makes the heartbreaking seem inspirational and the impossible seem manageable. A true romance for today’s twenty-something (but entertaining for viewers of any age), it is as much an exploration of life’s possibilities as it is love’s.

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a supposedly-failed architect turned greeting card writer that finds the romantic connection he has sought his entire life with Summer (Zooey Deschanel), his boss’ new assistant. The two strike up a friendship with (sometimes porn-inspired) benefits that quickly leads to Tom falling dangerously head-over-heels for a girl that not only doesn’t believe in love, but isn’t even looking for it.

Director Marc Webb has wrought an energetic little picture by focusing his real-life tale of boy meets girl through the cinematic lens that we all see our lives through during the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. See Tom dance through the streets after spending his first night with Summer, then witness his entire world – seen by the viewer in the same way that Tom’s architect mind sees it – literally erased before his very eyes when it seems as though all is lost. That all of this is set to the first indie film soundtrack in recent memory that seems more focused on driving the narrative than topping iTunes sales charts makes things all the more enjoyable.

Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel are captivating as Tom and Summer, drawing the viewer in with a romantic screen chemistry that can not be denied. Webb helps viewers navigate his narrative jumps back and forth through time by numbering each day with a title card colored like a mood ring – an unnecessary aid considering his leads perfectly set the tone of each scene. Love – or lack thereof – is painted across their faces so masterfully that just one expression can instantly uplift the soul or wrench the heart.

The non-linear narrative unfolds to near-flawless effect, offering viewers the benefit of seeing some seeds of trouble before the characters themselves are aware they’ve been planted while intentionally keeping a few secrets until the end. It’s a highlight (and lowlight) reel of one man’s idea of love being juxtaposed against one woman’s denial of love’s existence; inspiring as often as it raises questions in between moments of true personal development. That Webb allows his characters – Tom, in particular – to learn their most profound lessons without a sidekick to talk them through things is perhaps the finest nuance of the film. No morals are spoon-fed here, leaving viewers to discover them as Tom and Summer do: alone.

(500) Days of Summer overcomes it’s fair share of clichés by staying true to its genuine heart and earnest intentions. Cleverly edited sequences engage and enhance, more than making up for ‘insightful’ interview clips with non-central characters that threaten to derail the proceedings. Even the standard issue wiser-than-her-years little girl manages not to grate all that harshly. Anything that would distract in a weaker production does little to detract from the pleasure found here.

Webb has truly spun a gem with (500) Days of Summer, delivering something delightfully fresh while sticking to his story’s boy-meets-girl premise and heart. It’s certainly not a love story, but damn if it isn’t something special all the same.

By Greg Joachim

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Directed by:
Marc Webb

Starring:
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Zooey Deschanel

Released by:
Fox Searchlight

Released on:
August 7, 2009 (wide)