'(500) Days of Summer' is seasoned with reality

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel star in Fox
Searchlight Pictures' "(500) Days of Summer."

Fox Searchlight Pictures' "(500) Days of Summer" does not exactly fit into any genre, theme or story. In fact, a narrator even opens the film by warning moviegoers of the notion that "this is not a love story."

And while that it true to some extent, there is still plenty of talk about the subject throughout the movie. However, the "love" expressed here is simply based in reality. It does not deny the existence of heartbreak nor does it minimize the destruction caused by said heartbreak. On the other hand, it also suggests that heartbreak is necessary in order to fully comprehend joy. And, in turn, "love" can be fully experienced.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt portrays Tom, a greeting card writer who has always believed in true love, in "(500) Days of Summer." The "Summer" in the title does not refer to a season but rather the apple of Tom's eye, a new assistant at Tom's company.

Summer, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, is the polar opposite of Tom. She is completely satisfied being alone and would prefer to extract the most out of life before getting tied down with labels. However, Tom still makes a go of it and the pair begin enjoying each other's company.

Summer has made it abundantly clear to Tom, though, that she does not want things to progress to the point of a relationship. Tom blindly agrees and then falls into a depression when things go awry.

"(500) Days of Summer" traces various moments during Tom's obsession with Summer by skipping around from one day to another in no particular order. It is important to note that the storyline does not follow any sort of traditional treatment. Nonetheless, director Marc Webb maps out every moment perfectly.

There is not a single scene, action or line in "(500) Days of Summer" that is not absolutely integral to the motion picture. It is almost as if the filmmakers went through this thing with a fine-toothed comb to ensure everything fit. And that is quite an accomplishment given the flick is fairly off-beat.

Deschanel is sufficient as Summer yet she has yet to earn my admiration. Many critics adore her but I find her voice to be mildly annoying (especially her singing voice) and her physical appearance to be less than fantastic. I have to admit Deschanel has a knack for playing nontraditional women with cute personalities.

Gordon-Levitt is the actor who makes "(500) Days of Summer" work, though. Tom goes through a broad range of emotions - everything from obsession to despair - and Gordon-Levitt manages to perfect each and every one. He is especially strong when exuding joy, such as in a scene during which Tom's life is transformed into a musical set to Hall and Oates' “You Make Amy Dreams Come True.”

And such experimental moments (another splits the screen to reveal reality vs. Tom's expectations) are what set the movie apart from other non-love stories. Although there are a few dull moments preventing the film from being considered a true masterpiece, everything still works. The real magic is when it all comes together in a final piece of the puzzle that suggests why heartbreak happens.

So, while "(500) Days of Summer" may not be a love story, it still ends on a positive note. That note is just not the happy ending most Hollywood movies like to employ. It is far better than that because it is based on hope - something many people are without these days.