//Boy meets Girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn't.

4.5 / 5 stars
`09's (500) Days of Summer

Directed by Marc Webb, Written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber; Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel

"This is a story of boy meets girl. The boy, Tom Hansen, grew up believing that he’d never truly be happy until the day he met the one. The girl, Summer Finn, did not share this belief--You should know up front this is not a love story."- narrated by Richard McGonagle

The movie opens up with our narrator explaining to the viewer what this movie is about. Once you reach the end you realize it's a story about love--not a love story. Face it, we all have experienced puppy love or--at the time--what we thought was true love...

Naive love.

(500) Days with Summer (Deschanel) proved to be a painful time for Tom Hansen (Levitt). He loved someone who didn't believe in love--to her it's all just fantasy. But for him.. meeting her was fate. Tom works for a greeting card company where Summer takes the receptionist position. He's immediately drawn to her presence. The first blush of attraction for Summer happens when she rushes into an elevator being occupied by Tom on the (4th) day--she overhears his headphones, which are blarring the Smiths.

Summer: "Smiths?"
Tom (not being able to hear Summer): "Hi"
Summer: "I love the Smiths"
Tom (taking off his headphones) "Sorry?"
Summer: "I said I love the Smiths. You have--you have good taste in music."
Tom: "You like the Smiths?"
Summer: "Yeah." (singing along) "To die by your side, is such a heavenly way to die"--I love 'em."
(Elevator rings, Summer walks out and Tom stands there for a few seconds in awe)
Tom: "......Holy shit."

A little over two weeks later and he's struggling with the fact that nothing has happened yet. We've all experienced our lives not living up to our expectations when it comes to meeting new potential. You hope and wish for great things to happen, but unless you really make the first move, nothing'll ever happen. But in this case Tom gets an opening and thinks he may have a chance. On the (27th) day his friend and co-worker, McKenzie, informs him of an opportunity in the form of an office party after work. But again, expectations are shot down at the bar, when Summer opinionates her views on love being a fantasy. Since Tom thinks she's wrong, she askes what she's missing and Tom says "I think you know it when you feel it."

Keep in mind Tom hasn't yet told Summer of his feelings, but after that conversation.. well, it pretty much kills his confidence to say anything further. After changing subjects and moving on to discussing the TV Show Knight Rider, McKenzie makes a scene up at the karaoke stand due to intoxication. Before being helped into a cab, he spills the beans to Summer about Tom's feelings. Tom shrugs it off and claims that McKenzie's just drunk. Yet Summer asks Tom if it's true. She asks if it was alright that they just be friends--Tom agrees.

Back to work on Monday--the (31st) day--and Tom is at the copier. Summer walks up to the next copier and after putting in her papers, she walks over to Tom. As he comments on friday being a fun night, she kisses him. This brush of first effection--we've all felt. The bloom of this friendship is realistic and missing any of Hollywood's exaggerated "Love at first site" moments. It took Tom 31 Days to get to this point.

What do you think will happen? Will it blossom? Will that flower hold strong against high-forced winds? Buy or Rent (500) Days of Summer and find out for yourself, because this is definitely one of my picks for best film of last year.

Now, about this movie's pacing--it's nonlinear (events are portrayed out of chronological order.) It does this to keep things fresh, and to avoid any sort of "dragging on..." It also helps for some funny moments. Like on a day where Tom is dancing through the streets, headed for work. He reaches the office elevator and enters with a look of happiness on his face--elevator closes--it's now several days ahead--elevator opens--Tom looks like shit. I really loved that scene and it's sad to laugh at his miserable state, but I did--it was intended.

That's not the only thing that makes this film unconventional. I couldn't help but think the film had a scrapbook like quality to it, because this movie definitely has that feeling of recollecting memories.

In one scene, we're treated with two different scenarios: Tom's expectations Vs. Tom's reality.

This is by far one of my favorite scenes in the movie, not only because it's original and I personally can't recall seeing it in any other film, but more importantly.. I've been there. I can't recall how many times I've sat back somewhere--whether it be at a party, or at my old high school--and hoped a certain girl would come and talk to me instead of that group of others in the corner. In short: it's highly relate-able. This isn't your head-over-heels perfect love story, this one is painful.. and what most people will experience more so than a positive experience.

I highly recommend this film to anyone who has been on the losing end of a friendship they wanted to push further. Face it.. we've all witnessed that scenario. I hope this review doesn't spoil anything for you--after all.. it is only 500 Days of Summer.

//B-e-a-utiful fan made music video

A fan made music video for the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that is extremely well made. The scenes are edited and cut to go right along with the lyrics. Watch the video and pay attention... you'll see what I mean.

//A late Sunday evening...

...at a friend's place; we watched "I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell."

Upon putting in the film he said, "Man, Tucker Max makes Kenny "fucking" Powers seem like Michael Scott..."--couldn't be more true. I heard all about the "real" Tucker Max--his blog, the book,...the McGriddle--it was all interesting. It amazes me that he garnered enough spotlight to get a movie deal, seeing that he's a confident asshole with no ethical mindset.

But before the main credits even hit the screen, I'm rolling on the floor (not really) at how funny it already is. People love stories. We've been passing them down from generation to generation. That's what I had in mind, while riding this film out. It's not your typical raunchy comedy, it's more of an auto-biography where the events are somewhat compressed to tell a story. I imagined Tucker sitting in the room like a normal every-day friend, telling me a fucked up life experience. I laughed 'til I cried.

If this film has caught your eye the past week, and you haven't gotten around to finally grabbing it at your local Blockbuster... what are you waiting for? If you enjoyed the overrated (IMO) "The Hangover," then you'll most likely get a dozen chuckles from Tucker and his friends.