Rashômon, the rom-com

Rating: 8/10 (30 August 2012)

In the first 2 minutes, the narrator warns us "This is NOT a love story". I knew this beforehand but still thought it would be a good date movie, so I asked a hot chick to watch it with me. Why am I telling you this? Mostly because I wanted to brag about finally working up the nerve to ask out a hot chick. But also to let you know that "(500) Days of Summer" isn't exactly a hot date movie.
So much better, it's a very clever story about perception and particularly how emotions affect perception. In 1950 Kurosawa gave us the legendary film "Rashômon" which defined the technique by using multiple narrators to tell the story of a murder. A few years ago, the French film "He Loves Me... He Loves Me Not" took the same basic idea and applied it to a love story. Here we have yet another innovation. It's a lovestory highlighting different perspectives, but they're coming from the same person.
How did the director accomplish this? By jumping around the timeline. "(500) Days of Summer" begins at Day #488, then back to Day #1, then forward, then back, etc. It can be slightly disorienting at times, but I believe that is the intent. By departing from the standard linear storytelling, the director accentuates the bipolar jumps in perception experienced by a guy who's alternately in & out of love.
I don't know if this has been done before (several people have compared this film to "Annie Hall" which I haven't seen), but for me it was a thoroughly original experience.
The acting is great. Joseph Gordon-Levitt delivers yet another charming performance as the handsome nerd who's desperately trying to get a grip. Zooey Deschanel plays a challenging role: one minute lovable, the next minute not-so-lovable (in keeping with the theme of the film), and she truly delivers. You just have to see the movie to know what I'm talking about.
If you liked "Rashômon" or "He Loves Me..." you should definitely check this out & see what you think. I'd also compare it to another great offbeat romcom "Adam" and a really offbeat French romcom(?) called "The Girl from Monaco".
"(500) Days of Summer" has spots of comedy & a light-hearted presentation, although its primary focus is the drama & the underlying theme of "reality vs. expectation". Again, not the perfect date movie. Although we both liked it, I don't know if I'll get a 2nd date with the hot girl... quick can someone suggest a good Hugh Grant flick?