A masterpiece

Rating: 9/10 (21 April 2020)

"This is not a love story" the narrator tells us. And it's not. It's a story about love. And boy is it a story done well.
The boy, Tom Hansen (Joseph Grodon-Levitt) meets the girl, Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) whilst working for the same greeting card company in Los Angeles. They have very conflicting ideas about love, with Tom believing in soulmates, fate and 'the one', with Summer doubting the aforementioned.
The connection (and subsequent disconnection) of Tom and Summer is portrayed so authentically and done in such a nuanced way, thanks to the incredible performances by Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel, and the charming script, courtesy of the incredibly talented writing team of Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. There are also some hilarious comedic moments interspersed throughout the film that retain the charm shared in the script.
The unique style of the film- sections in black and white, portions in a square aspect ratio, split screen shots, recreations of obscure European vintage cinema and pieces to camera from some of the characters really help to keep the viewer interested and entertained. The non-linear storytelling, with the film jumping back and forth between different points in Tom and Summer's relationship, goes against the grain of typical, more linear movies. These aspects of the film come together to create a different yet refreshing way to tell a story.
The cinematography of the film (done by Eric Steelberg) is top notch and elevates the meaning and significance of so many scenes. The best example of this is the 'Expectation vs Reality' scene. The painstaking level of detail that went into the planning of every camera angle and movement, the colour palette, the lighting and the framing of each shot makes it, in my opinion, not just one of the best scenes of the film but one of the best scenes in cinema history.
The genius of this film is underscored by the incredible soundtrack. Two contrasting songs from Regina Spektor- the chirpy and cheerful 'Us', creating a beautiful opening sequence, to the melancholic 'Hero', crowning the heart-wrenching 'Expectations vs Reality' scene. From British pop ballads by The Smiths, mirroring the introduction we are given to Tom, to the beautiful 'Sweet Dispositon' by The Temper Trap, that expertly compliments the backdrop and buildings of Los Angeles, it heightens the atmosphere tremendously.
One thing I very much enjoyed was the ending to the film. So many Hollywood films in the past would have taken the obvious route out but I appreciate the decision to stray away from that. Not only does it keep the film from being cliche but it keeps the film grounded and true to life. The closure we received from Tom and Summer's last interactions show a great deal of character development, with both of the two 'meeting in the middle' on their seemingly affirmed beliefs and learning something from one another that they can take into not only future relationships, but the rest of their lives.
The astounding performances and wonderful screenplay culminates in an extraordinary directorial debut for Mark Webb. It's a shame it took me 11 years to discover this wonderful film. It is heart-warming, poignant and moving. One of my favourite films of all time.