(500) Days of Summer is a very unique telling of a relationship between two greeting card company employees, Tom and Summer. Deschanel (you may know her as Buddy's love interest from Elf) plays Summer, the new girl at the office. Tom, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (you may know him as the kid from Third Rock From the Sun) is smitten at first sight. Each of them has a different view of love stemming from their childhood and family life. Tom is a hopeless romantic; Summer is a stubborn pessimist who refuses to believe in soulmates and 'true love'. The film tells their story through a suprisingly easy-to-follow series of zig-zagging flashbacks.
Calling this a chick flick is not totally accurate. It's sort of a chick flick, but clearly told from a guy's perspective. This is obvious in the first 30 seconds of the film. Guys will relate to Summer's mixed signals and refusal to be more than "friends," as well as Tom's frustration at trying to figure this girl out. I think most of us guys have been in his shoes at least one time in our lives.
Zooey Deschanel is making a fine living at playing the quirky, free spirit that average guys think they have a shot at, and here she does better than ever. She is always frustratingly honest with Tom, and, as he eventually learns, she "just does what she wants."
I was really impressed with all of the little details the movie- how it captures the magic and newness of a blooming romance, as well as when that newness starts to fade. Not like the superficial stuff in most romantic comedies. There's also a real wisdom here about the value of all relationships, and things that are meant to be are, well, meant to be.
As with most contemporary romantic comedies, this movie has it's share of adult humor and situations (although with a PG-13 rating, it is not over the top). You may want to avoid it if you are sensitive to the former.
This was an unexpected gem for me, and guys, do not fear this movie. I think that you will be pleasantly suprised. I say "Go".
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