NEW VIDEO ADDED: Is This Why You Love '500 Days of Summer'?
Is it because it makes your dreams come true?
It's gotten to the point where if you aren't head over heels for a film the majority of people seem to love, the Internet dubs you a crazy person. Such is the case with 500 Days of Summer, a film I gave a solid B+ review and yet received a few questioning glances when I didn't include it in my Top 25 of 2009.
While it's a fun film I'm just not falling all over myself to tell everyone how great it is and never saw myself returning to it the way I return to relationship dramas such as Before Sunset or A Brief Encounter. And I haven't. Not as if those two films are in the exact same genre as 500 Days, but they are more my speed.
However, I still like 500 Days and I recognize how much everyone else loves it. And it's to this point I asked Laremy why he thought everyone loved it seeing how it did make his top ten of 2009. His response was that he thought it was the "Best Morning Ever" musical number featuring the song "You Make My Dreams" from Daryl Hall and John Oates that allowed most people to hold the film so warmly in their hearts.
The scene is great and I enjoy it, and I'm just curious… is this why you love 500 Days of Summer?
On a side note, when I interviewed director Marc Webb he told me they removed a "Worst Morning Ever" sequence due to redundancy. He said, "It was an opposite parenthetical to the 'best morning' where the cartoon bird shits on Joe and it was sort of funny, but it was also redundant." Wanna see it? Here it is…
ALSO… "Bram" just sent in the link to the "Reality vs. Expectations" scene everyone is talking about in the comments… Is this scene even closer to your heart?
By the way, if this is one of the reasons you love it you should probably pick up the soundtrack.
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I love the movie for several reasons – for example, how some dialogue is absolutely spot-on when it comes to relationships -, but if I had to choose a standout sequence, it wouldn't be the musical sequence (even though it's fanatstic). It'd be the "reality vs. expectations" sequence. It's so painfully true and, at the same time, so original, it has become the main reason why I believe this movie is this generation's Annie Hall.
That scene affected me deeply. I've been in that situation many,many times- where you're so obviously in love and the other person's holding the power in the one-sided relationship.
I actually told myself that I'm not going to watch the movie again; it hits too close to home for me. Fantastic film, for sure, but it's far too painful and truthful for me to endure again.
Yup the reality Vs Expectations sequence was one of the best romantic scences in a looong time. God it just played out picture perfect. Loved the movie but Brad's right on not being really intrested in going back to it.
Agreed. The movie overall is very good, but it has two outstanding sequences that I will never forget: Reality Vs, Expectations and the Best Morning Ever.
Those scenes show that the director has HUGE potential.
I like it – no, I love it (it was my 2nd favourite film of '09) for many reasons. It's incredibly relatable, honest and realistic, it's got awesome dialogue, excellent acting, message and soundtrack and overall was thrillingly original and one of the best romantic comedies I've ever seen. To put it simply, it's the perfect portrait of a relationship and lessons you learn when and after you go through one. Great film in all aspects.
And I agree with all the guys above me – Best Morning Ever and Expectations/Reality were outstanding sequences.
Yeah, unfortunately I can't seem to find the "Reality vs. Expectations" clip online. If anyone can, shoot me a link and I'll add it to the post.
I liked it, it was solid, but I didn't fall head over heels for it. My favorite scene would have to be the split reality vs. expectations. I didn't feel emotionally connected to either characters and the going back and forth through the days was annoying and didn't help the film at all imo. But that scene is where I was emotionally invested in Joe's character for a little bit.
Also, as far as your Top 25 of '09 goes, I can understand the film's absense in it, but what bugged me is that it didn't even get an honorable mention. And it's a B+ movie. So that's exactly why you'd receive a questioning glance from me personally.
Actually, after recently rewatching The Informant, this film would replace that one in my Honorable Mention, but we aren't talking about exact science here, but I understand where you are coming from.
That scene is not WHY I love the movie, but a manifestation of the reason why I love the movie. Basically, the movie is just so endlessly imaginative in the way it presents itself, doing little things here and there that had SO MUCH potential to come off at stupid quirky indie shit, but were spun in JUST THE RIGHT WAY that it was amazing and cool and fresh. Right after this featured scene, the elevator doors open to a point in time a few months later, and his face has gone from a smile to a frown. It's one of the best time cuts ever. Also, the split screen with Expectation vs. Reality is funny and sad at the same time, while also being jaw-droppingly imaginative, and yet it divides each emotion equally, mixes them together, and doesn't let any of them get out of hand or overshadow the other.
Basically, "500 Days of Summer" takes on a balancing act and succeeds at it 100%. Also, the chemistry between the two leads is through the roof, and it helps that both Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel are smoking hot as hell. :D
What makes (500) days so good is that it is devoid of clichés in a genre known for clichés. Sure boy meets girl cute, boy falls in love with girl. But that is it. All that comes after that is fresh, new and most importantly feels a lot like what happens in real life. Things don’t go from cute to happily ever after. Sometimes they do not. What the movie says is that love is an accident; it may or may not happen.
Smart and sharply written dialogue. Very distinct in shaping out these characters. The first time I saw it I was totally on Tom’s (Joseph Gordon Levitt) side. The second time I understood Summer (Zooey Deschanel) better. I went from what’s wrong with her, can’t she see he’s the best thing that will ever happen to her to, you know what sometimes the heart wants what it wants. Exactly what happens in real life.
And these performances. Watching Gordon-Levitt come alive in this movie is witnessing a star being born. I know he’s been around for a while, but this is a new side of him. He emerges a funny and charming leading man. Deschanel has the more difficult role. The movie is told from Tom’s point of view. But she holds her own, you understand why Tom would fall for her and more importantly get why she does not fall for him. (These are not spoilers, you know how their story unfolds within the first few minutes).
Watch out for day 489. Devastating. If your heart has ever been broken, you’ll feel the pain. Right in your gut. Everyone who has ever asked themselves “why not me, you idiot?”, will know exactly what I’m talking about.
I thought the direction was absolutely fearless, and Webb wasn't afraid to throw certain things in there even though they didn't necessarily fit within the flow of the rest of the film.
The split screen, the random animated bird, the narration, the musical/dance number (in a movie that isn't a musical)… all of these things just felt right. I think it was risky, but it really payed off and made the film a whole lot of fun. I really identified with the characters and their relationships.
I saw the film in theaters and loved it, bought the DVD and watched it 3 or 4 days in a row. Come to think of it, I'm abotu due for another viewing. I think I'm going to throw it in for a while before I go to class.
I have only seen (500) days of Summer once, but it has stuck with me. At the time I thought it was a solid, fresh movie. I particularly did love that musical scene that you posted up there.
I disagree with you about the rewatchability of it, I think it would be very rewatchable and I can see it growing on me even further with more viewings.
Doesn't anyone find the film to be a tad superficial and laced with misogyny? I know neither of those are new criticisms. I would accept the argument the film isn't misogynistic, but rather about a misogynist, if it wasn't for the opening title card calling out an ex-girlfriend as a bitch. This gag says a lot about the filmmakers and nothing about the film's characters, since it exists outside the story's framework. The film's entire tone is funneled by it.
It's not that I'm a politically correct bell-ringer (read the majority of my columns for this site), but I find it weird that people find the film so cute when it's rather ugly. Nor do I find this a reason to wholly dismiss the film, or any film for that matter (I like plenty of films that are without a doubt misogynistic). Personally, I thought the film's characters were too broad and its insight into relationships amounting to nothing more than platitudes. Plus, it didn't make me laugh much. I can't deny Webb's owns a slick visual style, but the film felt like a cobbling of visual ideas he's had in his head for awhile and this was a vehicle to vomit them all out regardless if they meshed together.
But with all of that said, if you like a movie, you like the movie. Who gives a damn what others think?
I have seen (500) Days of Summer twice now and I really love it. It's definitely in my top 10 of 2009. (500) Days of Summer is great for a number of reasons. It's a very funny and enjoyable movie, as evidenced by the "You Make My Dreams Come True" clip, and yet at the same time, it's simply a well made film, see "Expectations vs. Reality", something that isn't often seen in Hollywood anymore. Marc Webb is totally underrated for his excellent direction. Just watch the special features and commentary on the Blu-ray. You'll see what I mean. And of course there's the fact that everyone can relate to the movie in some way or another. Everyone's been dumped at one point and couldn't figure out why. So there you have it. There's an emotional connection, it's likeable, and it's well made. Is there anything else a great movie should have?
nope, not that scene. it's the dialogue.
Neither of those. It's the perfectly selected music, clever writing, and Joseph's acting – add in the funny friends and sister – it's unbelievable you didn't pick this as a top movie for 2009. If I had to choose favorite scenes, it would be the elevator scene or the karaoke scene. Or, the ones with his sister.
Then the internet shall dub me crazy.
i think the main reason i enjoyed the movie so much was because of the soundtrack. i thought it was awesome. right after i watched the movie i bought the soundtrack off of itunes. i also think joseph gordon levitt and zooey deschanel are perfect for there roles
The biggest problem I had with this movie is that Joseph Gordon Levitt's character should have ran for the hills once Summer said that she wasn't into labels regarding their relationship. A lesson in life you have to learn is that if a girl says that, she doesn't like you at least not as a boyfriend. If you want a girlfriend find someone else.
The best morning ever -scene was good but not the reason why I love the film. All the pieces fit, characters, actors, dialogue, music. Especially music, the soundtrack is perfect for the story. The movie made me laugh, it almost made me cry (I don't cry that easily) and it made me feel everything in between. You really feel for him in the reality vs. expectations scene. I think that was my favorite, the end of that scene just kills me.