500 Days of Summer

Guys, have you ever had a girlfriend that you knew was "the one," but who broke it off and left you broken? And don't worry. No one will judge you for, as a man, feeling emotion. OK . . . well, I won't.

Like most of us, Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) has, and her name is Summer (Zooey Deschanel). In "500 Days of Summer," Tom thinks he has finally found "the one" in Summer, who comes to work at the Los Angeles greeting card company he works for. However, this is not a love story, as the deep-voiced narrator explains to begin the film. It is a story about love.

While the story's chronology begins with Tom, an exceptionally ordinary 20-something, trying anything to get his dream girl's attention, the movie opens toward the end of that story, as the plot bounces back and forth while quite literally counting the 500 days of Tom's life that involve Summer.

At first, this narrative approach is confusing and doesn't seem to add any value. However, as the story progresses and the director's time travel develops a smooth-enough pace, it becomes a memorable element of the overall product that sets this film apart. Again, it is significant to mention that this is not a typical Rom-Com.

Despite the film's many funny bits and equally entertaining romantic moments, "500 Days of Summer" explores the unpleasant side of relationships. I think Tom spends almost half of the film dragging himself around like a bad episode of Droopy Dog. The lighter parts more than make up for it though as Gordon-Levitt, Deschanel and the rest of the cast are spectacularly entertaining in a witty and unique piece of film.

The life lessons Tom's pre-teen sister grudgingly dishes out at soccer practice or while they play Wii tennis is an example of that wit. Another, and the scene I will always think of in relation to this movie, is Tom's "High School Musical" moment, when he struts his stuff in a hilarious ensemble dance number. In each instance, Gordon-Levitt shines as a strong and engaging lead.

Writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber tell this story from the perspective of the male, which is notable because writers and directors generally mold the female in romances to be the relatable character to the predominantly female audience that films like this target. However, director Marc Webb is able to do this without gambling his female demographic by making Tom a sensitive man looking for the eternal kind of love we are told about as kids in fairy tales, drawing the necessary empathy for women, as well as men bold enough to buy a ticket.

On the other side of this tumultuous relationship, Summer clearly likes Tom, going as far as to make the first move, but doesn't want to put labels on anything and generally doesn't believe in love. Enhancing this role reversal even more are Tom's friends, who ride him for his Summer-induced-lovesick attitude.

One final element worth noting was the animated manifestations of Tom's emotions. Now I know that's a mouthful, so let me explain. Tom, whose studies in architecture didn't work out, is literally deconstructed into a sketch along with his surroundings when he hits an emotional breaking point. While this emotional storm is limited to one dramatic sequence, it reflects the unconventionally direct and honest approach to addressing relationships and love taken with this movie. Plus, it's just really cool.

"500 Days of Summer" is an enjoyable few hours spent at the theater, even for men. And to the men that have been hurt like Tom, you'll likely find a relatable, perhaps even cathartic moment or two as the sappy protagonist seeks out answers to all men's biggest challenge ? women. To be fair, the opposite is also true for women.