With all of the mixed buzz on G.I. Joe this weekend, I decided to spend my money on a movie that is slowly moving its way into larger theaters, ‘(500) Days of Summer’. Although, I did pass on the larger theater experience and chose to see the movie in a smaller theater, the Laemmle in Claremont, CA.  There is definitely something special about seeing a movie like this in a smaller theater.  I will try not to spoil too much of the movie.  But, I make no promises that a spoil or two won’t surface.  I can easily see why this was a big success at Sundance this year.  There is a lot of “good stuff” in this movie.  And it reminds you that sometimes you are only remembering the good stuff.  So I will.

First and foremost, the chemistry between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel is top notch. Gordon-Levitt, as Tom Hansen, plays the perfectly obsessed “Friend” of Deschanel’s, Summer Finn.  As a person who has been in similar situations as Tom, I identify with the frustration of the word “Friend” and how it pertains to the relationship.  Summer does a good job of keeping Tom at arms length and controlling the relationship, without having to overtly command each gesture.  This proves to not only confuse Tom, but irritate him to the point of clouding his judgment.

The movie bounces around through the 500 days.   Giving you just a glimpse of the days that mattered most to Tom.  And even those days were not as great as Tom once perceived.  It’s easy to look back in ones relationship and see all the turmoil, or see all the bliss.  But, to truly break through those clouds to see the reality of the situation is the most difficult and heart retching part.  The wisdom of Tom’s much younger sister, Rachel, set’s him straight; “Now, I think you’re just remembering the good stuff.”  A hard pill to swallow, and even harder when you meet up with that (what you thought was) love of your life, after their life has effortlessly moved on.  Things are never as clear as you thought, but you hope that the “ah-ha” moment comes quick and you can finally have closure and move on too.

Marc Webb does a fantastic job with the imagery of this movie.  The French New Wave, spontaneous dance sequence, delicate flash back’s and flash forwards, and (my favorite) Expectations vs. Reality.  In a movie like this, you can tell when a director has put his love and energy into the film.  You can hear a little of his love for film making and storytelling during his time on Slash Film’s /filmcast and /filmcast After Dark.

All in all, if I had to score on the 5 star rating, this would be a big 4 stars.  Very enjoyable, re-watchable, and entertaining.  Not just a date movie and not just another romantic comedy.  Bring that “Friend” of yours and who knows…you may walk out of that movie ready to move on as well.