(500) Days of Summer
(500) Days of Summer
Perfectly Marvelous
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/06
#1(500) Days of Summer
Posted: 7/20/09 at 1:43pm
I've been wanting to see it since I saw the trailer. It's a romantic comedy that's non-conventional, which is always refreshing to see. In simpliest terms, it is a story about love, about finding the person you care most for only to realize they don't reciprocate the feeling (which I think a lot of us can relate to).
(Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD0NpFSADM)
(Other clips and such: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi785580569/)
I was wondering if anyone had seen it yet, and what your thoughts were? Or how you feel about it in general?
"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams." - Doctor Who
Updated On: 7/20/09 at 01:43 PM
"Yes, the brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over, men recognize that the human race has been harshly treated but it has moved forward." - Les Miserables
#2re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 7/20/09 at 2:05pm
We're told in the first 10 seconds of the movie that it's "not a love story", which is true and not true. It is a love story in the sense that we see how you can fall in love so totally with someone who (only with the clarity of hindsight) you know you could never have.
That said, this is the movie I've been waiting for all year and it did not disappoint. I think it's one of the best things I've seen in a very long time and truthfully one of the most honest "love stories" ever put on screen.
#3re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 7/21/09 at 1:27pm
I liked it. Some parts I thought were superfluous, and some of the minor characters were not too great, but overall, it was an enjoyable film. I thought the storyline was great.
I don't want to say it is an "original" film but it was somewhat different than other movies of the same genre, where the director also wants to prove how creative he/she can get, hence the superfluousness.
Zooey Deschanel is a better singer than she is an actress. I love her voice, just not so much when she's talking.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#6re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/10/09 at 3:24pmSaw this on Friday...thought it was absolutely adorable. :)
winston89
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/18/06
#7re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/10/09 at 7:09pmI have never wanted to go back and see a movie again so quickly after leaving the theatre then I did when I saw this one.
"If you try to shag my husband while I am still alive, I will shove the art of motorcycle maintenance up your rancid little Cu**. That's a good dear"
Tom Stoppard's Rock N Roll
snl89
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
#9re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/16/09 at 10:20am
So, I went into this movie thinking it was probably going to be very cute and refreshingly not your common romantic comedy.
It completely EXCEEDED my expectations!
It's... actually verging on brilliant, it really is. About halfway through I realized this is not just cute, it's legitimately an exceptionally well made movie. Like.. the kind of movie that makes you realize dramas aren't the only ones that deserve credit.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschanel are SUPER adorable together, the writing is brilliant and so refreshingly real, and the directing is nearly flawless.
Already I have about three scenes that make my list of "favorite scenes from any movie ever":
- Shopping at Ikea. Cutest thing ever, and it gave way to one of my absolute favorite lines "Darling, I don't know how to tell you this, but there's a Chinese family in our bathroom" bahahaha 
- The "You Make My Dreams Come True" number. OMG. Perfection. It's not only highly enjoyable, but it's hugely effective too in making you feel for Tom
- The split screen expectations v. reality scene. SO effective, clever, and I love how it turns to drawing when he's out on the street at the end
So yeah, I just think this movie is so creative, real, and unique, and it achieves all these things without trying too hard. Is it the best movie ever made? Nah, I wouldn't go that far. But it really was surprisingly far beyond "just another cute romantic comedy". I'd even say it was better than Juno. I REALLY hope that it doesn't get overlooked for Oscars and so forth, because it actually does deserve some real recognition for how well made it is :)
I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay. Something next to normal is what I'd like to try. Close enough to normal to get by.
Updated On: 8/16/09 at 10:20 AM
JudasIscariot
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/05
#10re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/16/09 at 10:24am
I love this movie. It is by far my favorite movie released in 2009, and I also hope that it isn't overlooked at the Oscars. I thought it was far better than Juno, and much more creative.
It's a really honest and heartfelt movie, and just beautifully done. I need to see it again, and can't wait to buy it as soon as it comes out on DVD.
Bluemoon
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/04
#11re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/16/09 at 1:28pmSaw it last night and loved it. I was expecting 'cutesy' and went with great reservations and I'm delighted that my misgivings were wrong. A good story, well told.
#12re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/16/09 at 4:26pmsaw it today - totally loved it, but more so.. LOVE LOVE LOVE the soundtrack. I wonder if there's an actual CD b/c I might just buy it.
#13re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/16/09 at 6:10pmI really did love everything about this movie. Everytime it could've been too gimmicky or artsy or quirky, it went in the right direction. I laughed, I cried, I want to see it again.
#14re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/16/09 at 7:48pmshh - there is. It's on itunes
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
#15re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/16/09 at 8:00pmshh, I don't know how to tell you this, but there's a Chinese family in our bathroom.
"You have two kinds of shows on Broadway – revivals and the same kind of musicals over and over again, all spectacles. You get your tickets for The Lion King a year in advance, and essentially a family... pass on to their children the idea that that's what the theater is – a spectacular musical you see once a year, a stage version of a movie. It has nothing to do with theater at all. It has to do with seeing what is familiar.... I don't think the theatre will die per se, but it's never going to be what it was.... It's a tourist attraction." Stephen Sondheim
Perfectly Marvelous
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/06
#16re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 12:20am
For whatever reason, BWW ate up my post a while ago, so here goes my thoughts --
I have never wanted to go back and see a movie again so quickly after leaving the theatre then I did when I saw this one.
Exactly my sentiments.
The totally odd and wonderful thing about this movie is that it's so real and honest, that it can copy your own life. Literally, I saw it the day or two before I was dumped. But that explains why I loved Jospeh Gordon Levitt as Tom - because he's relatable. Heck, everyone has been there in his situation. On the way home, I actually teared up thinking about just how amazing and heartfelt this movie was.
I also agree that all the little tricks could have been too gimmicky and they weren't. Everything was so spot on and well done.
My favorite scene was the reality versus expectations with Regina Spektor's "Hero" being played in the background. That touched me, because I know for a fact it's so easy to have high expecations of a situation ... and none of them come true.
"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams." - Doctor Who
"Yes, the brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over, men recognize that the human race has been harshly treated but it has moved forward." - Les Miserables
#17re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 12:36amI really liked the movie, I just wanted more. Of course, that could be because I related to Summer much more and wanted her character to be developed more fully, but still.
"Why, I make more money than... than... than Calvin Coolidge! PUT TOGETHER!"
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
~Lina Lamont
My name wasn't, isn't, and will never be Scott.
#18re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 7:27amI can forgive Joseph Gordon-Levitt for doing the G.I. Joe movie, if it affords him the money so that he can appear in great, small independent films like 500 days. He is just one of our finest young actors, and if you have never seen Mysterious Skin, please put it on your Netflix immediately. He just gives a stunning performance. Oh, and I also loved him in Brick.
I killed the boss, you don't think they're gonna fire me over a thing like that!!!!
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#19re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:18amI haven't seen this YET, but I agree with your sentiments on Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Have loved him since his 3rd Rock Days!
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
picturetaker9211
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/06
#20re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 5:51pmI really liked the movie, but not immediately. I'm a sucker for a romance & a happy ending. I mean, I knew what I was getting into, but I wanted so badly for it to be a happy ending. But it obviously didn't. After thinking about it, I did like it. It was cute, fun, & realistic. I slightly wanted to strangle Zooey, but I guess that was her job, probably. I didn't like the cheesy ending, and I don't know if I would see it again in theaters, maybe on DVD. I just like romantic comedies too much :]
"Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, take the moment & making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity."
-Gilda Radner
-Gilda Radner
#21re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 6:03pm
spider- thank you, I got it. it's amazing.
SAMN - I died laughing during that part but then my and my friend watned to go to ikea to play around because I never been. so we drove all the way to our closest one, but it was sunday and in jersey.... fail.
broadwaybaby086
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/12/06
#22re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:42pmI loved it so much that I went back to see it for a second time yesterday morning, and it was still good. I cannot wait to own it!
"I'll cut you, Tracee Beazer!!!!
...Just kidding. I'd never cut anyone." -Tina Maddigan, 9/30/06, WS stage door
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...
Avatar: JULIE "EFFING" WHITE, 2007 TONY WINNER. Thank God. I'm thinking about legally changing my name to Lizzie Curry...
#23re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 8:53pmi'm going back for a second time sometime this week. i saw this before it was released everywhere and i have been dieing to see it again. one of the best movies of the year. everyone i've told to go see it ended up falling in love with it. if you liked this movie you should go check out Adam. another really great movie somewhat similar to 500DOS.
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Perfectly Marvelous
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/16/06
#24re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 8/17/09 at 10:27pm
scott - I felt the same way at times.
And it's also odd because at times I could relate to Summer moreso than Tom, yet still feel for Tom because I knew what he was going through.
Anyway, Adam looks great. I can't wait to see it! 
"I am and always will be the optimist. The hoper of far-flung hopes and dreamer of improbable dreams." - Doctor Who
"Yes, the brutalities of progress are called revolutions. When they are over, men recognize that the human race has been harshly treated but it has moved forward." - Les Miserables
xoangel2789xo
Broadway Star Joined: 11/3/07
#26re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 9/1/09 at 12:25am
I love Joseph Gordon Levitt in that episode of That 70s Show and more or less enjoyed the movie. At first I wanted to hate Zooey's character, but you realize it's just as much Tom's fault because they both knew what they were getting into.
blaxx
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#27re: (500) Days of Summer
Posted: 9/1/09 at 1:26am
Is this movie depressing? A "love sucks" kinda film?
I try to avoid those while single.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
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