Sundance Review: ‘500 Days of Summer’

I watched ‘Paper Heart’ and ‘500 Days of Summer’ back to back so by the time I was done my heart had been broken and mended 15 times, and I was in the mood for something with blood and guts… or at least the ‘Black Dynamite’ after-party.

It is no secret that I absolutely love Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the fact that he was starring in this indie romantic comedy instantly drew me. Toss in the fact that it also stars everyone’s indie it-girl Zooey Deschanel and you have what should be considered a guaranteed hit which is exactly what you get here. Everyone that has seen this movie so far has absolutely raved about it, and it immediately goes to the top of the favorite Sundance movies list.

The story follows Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who works as a greeting card writer and seems to have pretty rotten luck with women, until he meets Summer the new office secretary. She is any cardigan wearing indie boys dream girl and he writes her off as a stuck up bitch from the get go. They have a chance encounter in the elevator and she mentions how much she likes ‘The Smiths’ which he is listening to on his iPod. From here he immediately falls for her and begins his quest to show her how perfect they are for each other.

The title ‘500 days of Summer’ is essentially a reference to their relationship, Tom spends 500 days with her (Summer). The way the movie is presented is very unique and definitely something that is very fresh and new to the typical straight forward start to finish movies. ‘500 Days of Summer’ has already been picked up and will definitely see a wide release. Expect this to be the next ‘Juno’, and that makes me very happy.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5