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Most independent films try to be more than the sum of their parts. Often times they’re too quirky for their own good, trying to convince the audience why it’s so great rather than show them. One could easily mistake (500) Days of Summer as a film that meets that criteria. The evidence is there as the film is quirky and shows signs of being another indie movie from the assembly line. Happily, director Marc Webb makes sure that it’s not and never beats it over our heads why we should care. He opts to put the story and characters ahead of it’s style, which this film does indeed have, to create the first great romantic comedy of the year. Or is it a romcom?

Marc Webb’s music video career has been interesting to watch as he had an interesting visual style I often wondered when or if he would carry it over to film. In his first venture he’s succeeded brilliantly as (500) Days of Summer follows the beat to it’s own drum. The story is told in non-linear fashion, jumping from different days in Summer and Tom’s relationship. It works because Webb and screenwriters Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter feed us bits of what’s to come during the film’s introduction and more chipper moments. The structure is seamless, taking us on a journey

rather than lead up to some big reveal or twist. Also deserving of praise is Webb’s visual style which, as mentioned, hops over well from music videos to feature film. The film looks vibrant and colorful and some wonderful composition from cinematographer Eric Steelberg. A sequence toward the end of the film is brilliantly beautiful, showing what Tom wants and what Tom gets. Much like Duncan Jones on the equally as great Moon, one would be shocked to learn this is Webb’s directorial debut. Praise should also be laid on how the film’s title cards that switch us from day to day. It’s a subtle yet neat little touch that just adds to the film’s already unique style.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has come a long way since his Angel-loving days of seeing Christopher Lloyd in the outfield. Not that he was terrible in that film but he’s matured into one of the finest actors this generation has to offer. He makes Tom a very human character when so easily he could come across as a wuss. Some will interpret him like that, but to this movie watcher Tom is just love-stricken with the wrong girl. Gordon-Levitt takes what should be a hapless romantic and spins Tom into a charming, love infatuated idealist. Opposite him is indie-queen Zooey Deschanel and she gives one of the best female performances of the year. The film gives one every reason to hate Summer, and yet Zooey makes it hard for that to happen. Even when the fate of these two would be lovebirds is revealed, Zooey plays it sweet. True, she’s easy on the eyes yet likable and above all, cute. She has a chemistry with Gordon-Levitt that’s been unmatched this year. They play off of the other exceptionally well to create one of the best on-screen couples in a long while. Their reactions are natural, both good and bad, and are never forced.

Weber and Neustadter’s script also contributes to the greatness of this flick. It wants to be everything romantic comedies aren’t, yet they don’t throw things in there just because it’s against the grain. They’re focused on making Summer and Tom real people with real problems and not outlandish friends or snappy dialogue. There are touches they add that are quirky, but it’s not an assault on the viewer. Instead, they make the film have an identity all it’s own, which will likely be copied with future independent films. There’s few faults, but the most glaring one is when the film tries to be too cute. Even the last scene, which will bring a nice little smile to one’s face, feels a little out of place with the overall tone of this story. However, when a movie like this does so many incredible things, these small quibbles are hardly noticeable and ultimately forgivable.

Is (500) Days of Summer a romantic comedy? It presents itself like one, but ultimately becomes the antithesis of it. Unquestionably what it happens to be is a well told story of the ugly side of love that is well-acted and exceptionally well-directed. This may claim it’s not a story about love, but it should claim that it’s a terrific film. I loved how it presented two very real people in a fantasy world of sorts. I loved how both the leads put to shame just about every other on-screen couple this year. I loved how the song and dance number fit into the film without feeling off. Most of all, I loved the animated bluebirds on the tips of Tom’s fingers.

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