SYNOPSIS:
After his girlfriend, Summer dumps him, a love-starved greeting card writer reflects back on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their romance went wrong. Funny, true-to-life and delightfullu surprising, this unique and hilarious look at infatuation, dating, sex and separation will make your day.
MOVIE REVIEW:
It is with no shame that this reviewer tells you that he is single, and more importantly, available. It is always difficult to review romantic movies like this one. The characters may connect so well with this, he states again, single and available reviewer that it takes a toll on his mental health. Without exaggerating things and in the name of objectivity, this reviewer shall brave through all 95 minutes of this wildly popular romantic comedy and bring you what’s good (and maybe what’s not) of the movie.
The narrator tells you upfront: “This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story.” And it is with this premise that the Marc Webb directed film is about a woman who doesn’t believe that true love exists, and her meeting with a young man who falls for her. The guy writes greeting cards for a living though he is an architect by training. She works in his office, and that’s where they meet. The viewers are brought to and fro in time, going through the different times the couple get together and split. At the end of the 500 days, does true love prevail?
The winning structure is the best thing about this movie. It keeps viewers engaged with the characters, and follows them through every emotion experienced. The quirkiness of the film helps it rise above other been there done that romance movies too. Watch out for the scene where the guy breaks into a dance sequence. It’s jolly entertainment at its best. There is much honesty and charm in this movie, given that they are real issues couples face in real life. Wait, why does this reviewer sound like he is an expert in this matter when he just declared that he is no winner in the game of love? Probably because he has watched a tad too many movies, that’s why.
It also helps that the leads are charming to look at. Joseph Gordon-Levitt (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Killshot) is a naturally pleasant young man who would have no problems attracting the girls. His performance in this picture is also top notch, making viewers empathize with his rise and fall in love. Zooey Deschanel (Yes Man, The Happening), despite her slight cockiness, is a tease to love. No wonder Gordon-Levitt’s character falls in love with her at first sight. The movie’s also got a few nice tunes to make the entire package extremely likeable. Listen out for songs performed by Regina Spektor, Black Lips and The Smiths.
So who’s to blame for something as magical and lovely as this movie not happening to this reviewer? In this superficial world, when he last looked in the mirror, he realised he is far from looking like Gordon-Levitt. And that’s why he hadn’t had the opportunity to count his 500 days of summer before settling down for a happy ending. This is probably what’s not so good about this movie, that it painfully reminds mere mortals of the brutal truth about love.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This Code 3 DVD contains 14 minutes of Deleted and Extended Scenes which we think we would have enjoyed watching anyway if they were kept intact.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The movie’s visual transfer is fine, and is presented in a 5.1 Dolby Digital English audio track.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
Posted on 31 January 2010
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