Hefe's Review Of: (500) Days Of Summer (2009)

HEFE'S REVIEW OF:
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER (2009)

OPENING THOUGHTS

I am going to be honest, I really thought this movie looked like it was going to be the ultimate chick flick, and seeing as how I have a nice set of balls and a penis, I was not what you call super-excited to see this movie. But then I started seeing good reviews coming back from all over the place, and when I saw the film got nominated for a couple of Golden Globes, I thought this might be worth checking out. Well check it out I did.

ACTING

JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT has spent a lot of time over the last few years acting in a string of mediocre indie films. Since 2006's Brick I have been talking about how surprised I was that this guy is not in bigger movies and is not more famous. Now it seems he has finally hit home with the larger critics out there and has earned himself a Golden Globe nomination. I am happy for him, it is well deserved, and this is probably the best movie he has ever been associated with. Just remember Joseph, most of your success is because of me.
ZOOEY DESCHANEL is unbelievable beautiful, as always, but she was also undeniably charming. I don't know how it is possible that Sandra Bullock gets nominated for not one, but two Best Actress Golden Globes and Deschanel is over-looked. I would take Deschanel over Bullock any day of the week. This is a performance that deserves recognition because the entire time you are watching it you feel like you are getting your pants charmed off, which makes the feelings that Gordon-Levitt is supposed to be feeling very understandable.

DIRECTION AND SCRIPT

MARC WEBB did something I really thought was impossible, he managed to make a visually interesting and innovative looking movie in the romantic-comedy genre, a category that is applauded for repetition and blandness. Everything about this movie felt fresh and interesting. I especially liked the split screen scene showing Tom's expectations and the reality of what was going on, as well as the documentary on love within the film. Both of these scenes are things that I have never seen in films before and both of them are things that I really loved, and I thought added a great deal to the story. Anytime you can manage to do those two things, you deserve recognition.
SCOTT NUESTADTER and MICHAEL H. WEBER also deserve praise for this movie. Right from the film's written opening: "Author's Note: The following is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Especially you Jenny Beckman. Bitch." Right off the bat you know this is not going to be your standard love story, and it isn't. What I love about this movie is that this film hits on the reality of the modern man. Many men, including myself are completely in love with the idea of finding "the one". We are still vulgar and disgusting and still love sex and all of that, but a lot of us out there are really looking for love. Women on the other hand seem to be more concerned about being independent and making a point to not ever need a man. It is kind of a reversal of roles that isn't talked about much, but I notice it a lot with people from my age groups, and I think it is nice to see a movie that actually addresses that.

THE VERDICT

If you are worried about watching this movie because you are not in the mood to watch another stupid chick flick, then let me put your mind at ease. This is not the normal boring unoriginal crap. Everything from the acting, to the directing to the screenplay is top-notch. This is not quite A quality, but it is damn close and definitely one of the better movies of the year.

THIS FILM HAS BEEN RATED

B	This is a good solid movie. Full to semi-erections likely upon vieweing.

TO VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM CLICK HERE

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