(500) Days of Summer - 戀夏(500日)

(500) Days of Summer [戀夏(500日)] is a 2009 film out of the US. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. This is the film debut of acclaimed music director, Marc Webb.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Tom Hansen and Zooey Deschanel plays Summer Finn and they are a couple. The movie moves in an episodic way through their relationship. However, instead of the conventional start to finish, this movie starts with the break up and flashes back to different points in their relationship. The 500 days is the number of days that Tom is "in love" with Summer. Along the way, we jump from the beginning to the middle, back to the beginning, and towards the end. The movie may jump back and forth to play off specific significance events or behaviors from the different times in a non-linear fashion.



It's actually better not to know the plot, but just know that this is a mind trip film. It's one of those films that comes along every so often from a fresh new director that just blows me away. The last couple of movies that did this to me were Napoleon Dynamite and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (ironically both are from 2004). The story, movie feel, the production value and tricks, and actors all combine for something so harmonious.

I've been a Zooey Deschanel fan since her turn as a big sister in Almost Famous. Although all the movies she's done in-between not be my cup of tea, this movie was made so much better because of Zooey. In that role as a woman who's lost faith in love and how she finds it.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt been around for ages. As Tom Hansen, he goes from "eh", floating in the clouds, to the depths of rejection, what a masterful performance.



The music was also like a soundtrack of my elementary school days to the modern emo/folk stuff. The soundtrack to the movie complemented and helped move the story along. Because the meanings of the songs and the "followers" of the music was also reflected in the personalities of the two leads.

I can't give this movie enough praise. It's one of those movies that can be raved about and also live up the expectations.

The film was also based in downtown Los Angeles. I had worked in downtown Los Angeles for 5 years and many of the sites they were at reminded me of those days. And the blade runner building was also a feature.

One note is that Asians are quite lacking in this film. If you've been to downtown Los Angeles, there are a host of Asians there, most offices would feature many more Asians than presented in this film. And when they were a focus, it was for the butt of a joke. The only sour note to an amazing film.

Marc Webb, the director of the film has been a music video director for the past ten years. Maybe that's why music is such an important aspect of the film. Webb is also the director for the Spider-Man reboot. It's too bad as I would have liked Webb to have channeled that indie spirit into another couple of films.