Popcorn Moments : 500 Days of Summer

Summary :

Preppy and dreamy Tom Hansen, a trained architect but works as a writer in a greeting card company, meets the carefree and fascinating Summer Finn in Los Angeles. Though he's very much attracted to her since Day 1, it took him a month to reluctantly admit that he likes Summer, with the help of his drunk and babbling friend, McKenzie. Over the few months, Summer and Tom grow closer, despite Summer making it clear to Tom that she does not believe in true love, and does not want a boyfriend - albeit, they made trips to Ikea showrooms, role-playing as husband and wife, had shower sex and stuff.

Tom shows Summer his favorite spot in the city, which looks out over a number of buildings he likes, although the view is spoiled by car parks. After a few weeks dating, Tom gets into a fight with a guy chatting up Summer, and they have their first argument.

On day 290, Summer and Tom split up after they see The Graduate, a film which Tom thinks shows true love. Tom does not take the break up well and Tom's friends call his younger sister, Rachel to calm him down.

Summer quits the greeting card company and Tom's boss moves him to consolations, as his depression is not suitable for happier events.

Months later Summer and Tom attend the wedding of a co-worker, they dance at the wedding and Summer catches the bouquet. They sit next to each other on the journey home and Summer invites Tom to a party at her apartment for the Friday. Tom attends the party and sees that Summer is wearing an engagement ring. Realizing what is being celebrated, he left the party.

Tom enters a deep depression, only leaving the house for alcohol and junk food. After a few days, he returns to work drunk and quits his job. He sets about re-applying himself as an Architect, makes a list of firms, and begins to attend interviews.

On day 488, he meets Summer at his favorite spot and they reconcile; he wishes her well. Twelve days later, on Wednesday, May 23, he attends a job interview and meets a girl, who is also applying for the same job. Before entering the interview, he makes a date to have coffee with her afterward. He asks her for her name, and she replies, "Autumn."

Why I love it :

Fashion-wise, I love Summer's (Emily Deschanel) outfits! The flirty 50's skirts and dresses, and of course, the 60's girly bangs. Very hip, she got the retro look to want to imitate. While Levitt's tie-and-sweater vests are also retro-hip.

The narrator (Tom, of course) in his probing

It's not your run-of-the-mill cheesy rom-com with characters to drool over with. In fact, it's an indie film that's full of quirks that endear you. One of the very honest movies I've seen. It showcased men - before, during and after a break-up. Though most of the movies made were portrayed by martryed women who endure sufferings of unrequited or abused love. A movie in a in a man's perspective - that made us, women, some how or some way understand men.

I've had my laughs when Tom and other film extras broke into dance of Hall & Oates' "You Make My Dreams", which seems like a musical at that moment.

Then, of course, I loved their witty dialogues. Like the drunk McKenzie, Tom's friend, he said " Oh my God...you're a dude!", after hearing Summer's declaration of not believing in love and not having a 'boyfriend'. Also, when Tom and Summer meet again after they broke-up and Summer got married, he said "You don't want to be named as someone's boyfriend, and now your someone's wife?"

I highly recommend you to watch this film - for it's deep, complex, funny, satirical, dramatic & comedic at the same time. Definitely worth of your time and penny!