The movie promo pretty much tells you all you need to know: "You should know up front, this is not a love story". It's simple. Direct. And about as close to truth in advertising as you're ever going to get.
That's not to say (500) Days of Summer isn't a feel-good movie. It does have its feel-good moments. More importantly, it has more real moments than feel moments, which allows it to speak with a voice that makes the characters all the more believable.
We know that by the time the clock strikes 499, we're just one day from pfffftt...
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel play a pair of 20-somethings who strike up an inner-office relationship at a Midwestern greeting card company. They have the obligatory "cute meet" in the office elevator and the romance takes off. And while it does take off, it doesn't follow a straight line.
Director Mark Webb tells the story in a non-linear (translation: it jumps back and forth in time) way to show both sides of the romance. If this were a 50's movie with Rock and Doris we'd get a split screen image of the pair talking on the phone. But since we've evolved in the past 60 years, we're now treated two different versions of the same story.
It's an engaging device that lets you see where they are in the relationship. Since this is after all 500 DAYS of Summer (the name of Deschanel's character) we know that by the time the clock strikes 499, we're just one day from pfffftt.
Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel are an affable couple and we know from the start they're hip. They shop at IKEA for heaven's sake! But the movie doesn't allow these two to fall into easy stereotypes. Sure, Deschanel is a little goofy, but she has a serious side that becomes even more practical as we get closer to the 500th day.
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It's fun to see Gordon-Levitt struggle with the problem of loving someone who doesn't love him back. His 20-year-old angst is palpable. When he's confused - we're confused. When he's happy - he's really happy (the musical dance-in-the-park scene will put a smile on your face).
Like High Noon, the 500-Day device clues us in on when the story will end. And fortunately it's not an ending tied up neat and tidy. We've known from the start that these characters won't walk off into a Hollywood sunset. You were warned from the beginning - this isn't a love story.
Summer isn't a change-your-life vacation, but it is a pretty nice day at the beach.
The Boomer Brief recommends Netflix for your movie rentals. The monthly rental packages start at only $4.99 - and you can cancel at any time.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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