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Amazon.co.uk Review
500 Days of Summer is like the American Apparel of movies, in that tries really hard to be hip--so hard it sometimes evokes an involuntary cringe. The perfect soundtrack (indie-pop infused with cleverly ironic 80’s hits), the smart cinematography, the occasionally broken fourth wall… It’s a natural progression from mid-00’s “youth-culture” flicks like Garden State and it does a good job rounding out the decade. Everything in this dramedy resembles a music video and the characters are twentysomethings once again not living up to their full potential. 500 Days of Summer is touted as being really unique and original--it’s not. But that’s not to say that it’s not worth watching; it is, and mostly because of the leads. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel play a couple whose relationship story is told through a series of out-of-order flashbacks. The non-linear storytelling means we hop moment to moment from sweet, romantic and fun to crushingly desperate and sad, because the ultimate point here is that even when we believe we may have found The One, said soulmate might not feel the same way. Gordon-Levitt is an exciting actor to watch and after a succession of very serious, very troubled roles, it’s a pleasure to see him here as a mostly well-adjusted young guy whose biggest problem is that he loves someone who doesn’t love him back. He’s the hero, and as such, Deschanel’s Summer Finn becomes the bad guy a little bit. But Deschanel plays it all big-eyed, conflicted and real and so you can’t help but forgive her. The much-lauded musical scene is tremendously joyful; if it doesn’t put a smile on your face, nothing will. 500 Days of Summer isn’t groundbreaking, but it's an entertaining movie about hip, beautiful people whose lives you can only enjoy for about two hours before getting back to your own.--Kira Canny, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Before seeing this, I had already pigeon-holed this as the typical rom-com concept that's been flogged to death of late. Salvation I thought, may come in it's indie-like feel having seen a trailer. After going to 'keep the peace' with my girlfriend, I've come away very pleasently surprised.
The basic plotline of 'boy meets girl' may start the film, but a short way into it's running time, it's apparent this is going somewhere different.
The film's structure is all over the place chronologically. It's timeline moves back and forth with fevered intensity, but works all the better for it(Helpfully, for those not paying attention, each of the 500 days in question is numbered onscreen).
Refreshingly, much of the standard material normally seen in this sort of fare is missing.
Both leads are hugely appealing and likable, displaying believable chemistry together when scenes call for it.
The director, and the two screenwriters are male, which I found lent the Joseph Gordon Levitt's Tom the more sympathetic edge. Zooey Deschanel's title character Summer however, comes across as a representation of every woman man has failed to truely understand. Anyone who is a fan of author Mike Gayle, will find similarities of his work here.
For a film such as it is, the overall tone is decidedly pro male and ever so slightly dark, but don't let that put you ladies off. There are some nice moments of light comedy, and the 'morning after' scene is superb. Another, demonstrating a key moment with both 'expectation' and 'reality' using a splitscreen is particularly poignant. And somewhere buried in the material, yes, there is ultimately romance as well.
The soundtrack is excellent and subtley used, making a marked change from the likes of One Republic being blasted out.
I saw this in a screen packed with about 80% women, most of which seemed to to leave smiling, having enjoyed it immensely. Despite my initial protestations, I'm not ashamed to say it had the same affect on me.
The basic plotline of 'boy meets girl' may start the film, but a short way into it's running time, it's apparent this is going somewhere different.
The film's structure is all over the place chronologically. It's timeline moves back and forth with fevered intensity, but works all the better for it(Helpfully, for those not paying attention, each of the 500 days in question is numbered onscreen).
Refreshingly, much of the standard material normally seen in this sort of fare is missing.
Both leads are hugely appealing and likable, displaying believable chemistry together when scenes call for it.
The director, and the two screenwriters are male, which I found lent the Joseph Gordon Levitt's Tom the more sympathetic edge. Zooey Deschanel's title character Summer however, comes across as a representation of every woman man has failed to truely understand. Anyone who is a fan of author Mike Gayle, will find similarities of his work here.
For a film such as it is, the overall tone is decidedly pro male and ever so slightly dark, but don't let that put you ladies off. There are some nice moments of light comedy, and the 'morning after' scene is superb. Another, demonstrating a key moment with both 'expectation' and 'reality' using a splitscreen is particularly poignant. And somewhere buried in the material, yes, there is ultimately romance as well.
The soundtrack is excellent and subtley used, making a marked change from the likes of One Republic being blasted out.
I saw this in a screen packed with about 80% women, most of which seemed to to leave smiling, having enjoyed it immensely. Despite my initial protestations, I'm not ashamed to say it had the same affect on me.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I loved this film. About 30 minutes after I had finished watching it, I realised just why. The whole thing ends up with a man and a woman having a heavy conversation on a bench in a park. That's happened to me three times, so the bitter sweet nature of this film was a real tonic. It manages to be realistic, and at the same time heartwarming.
I love the sophisticated wit, the super soundtrack and the sublime, vulnerable beauty of the leading lady. It occasionally uses a few hackneyed devices like the co-worker and the very young sister, but overall it surprised me with its depth and subversive take on the rom com genre.
I love the sophisticated wit, the super soundtrack and the sublime, vulnerable beauty of the leading lady. It occasionally uses a few hackneyed devices like the co-worker and the very young sister, but overall it surprised me with its depth and subversive take on the rom com genre.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
To be honest, when I went to the cinema to see this I was skeptical at first. Expecting the usual cliche ridden rom com I was delighted when this turned to be very unique and funny. I loved how the love story was told through the guys eyes for a change, especially as the character Tom is extremely likable. The whole vibe of the film is very indie/retro so if that's your style, this is for you. However, the reach goes farther than the hipster crowd as the story and characters are down to earth and fun. I keep coming back to this film and it's now one of my very favourites. I highly recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Cute chick-flick!
I had this film recommended, and it's fun, frothy and an easy watch. Will watch it again. Not deep and meaningful, but a good chick flick.
Published 6 days ago by K. Davis
Not romantic or a comedy!
After i watched this one evening on DVD i had to follow it with a 'real' comedy to cheer myself up! This is not a comedy, neither is it romantic. Read more
Published 26 days ago by D. Burchett
Much more than you think
When I first heard about 500 days of summer, I thought it would be your usual run of the mill love story like many other people thought. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alex Farrell
Best film of 2009.
What more can I say? I loved it. I think in 50 years time, people will still be talking about this film. Perfect.
Published 2 months ago by Em
And then came Autumn
"An offbeat romantic comedy about a woman who doesn't believe true love exists, and the young man who falls for her." - IMDb
Published 2 months ago by Kristine
Sad but hopeful
I really enjoyed this film, it dragged me in and spat me out at the end. You really care about the lead characters and can really empathise with the unrequinted love that the lead... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bangers and mash
If you have to watch a Rom Com you could do a lot worse than this.
Being a bloke, this wouldn't have been my first choice of film on a Saturday night but sometimes you have to watch the odd Rom Com or girlie flick to keep the peace. Read more
Published 2 months ago by The Truth
Lovely film from start to finish
A great film to sit down and watch with anyone or on your own. I thoroughly enjoyed it and loved the dance sequence when everything was going well - made me smile. Read more
Published 2 months ago by C. M. Wagstaff
SAD LOVE SONGS BY THE CURE ARE GREAT BUT THEY DON'T LAST 90 MINUTES!
This film is SOOOOO slow. For a film that is the length of a British film, 90mins. Rather than the U.S standard 100mins. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Vince W
500days of summer
i hated this movie got bored half way through so I can't really recommend it,put it this way i will not be watching it again as it was i really bad film
Published 3 months ago by anna206
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