Expectation Vs Reality

Every so often here at the Armchair Director I will dedicate a post to one film. Mainly because the film is that bloody good it deserves it's own moment in the spotlight - plus it's my blog I'll do what I want!

The film in question here, well it's a love story. Not even joking, the guy who loves horror has chosen a love story as the first film to have it's own blog. This is no ordinary love story, as the tag line says 'Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love. Girl doesn't' - ain't that the fucking truth!

500 Days of Summer is a film that is a story about love rather than a love story. I read those words on the back of the dvd and was sold. If you have ever had your heart broken you will relate to Tom instantly and while tough to watch if you are going through a breakup - which I was when I first stumbled across this indie flick - it is strangely comforting too.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one of Hollywood's best indie actors of present and what I love about his performance in this - where he plays a character which at times is worryingly like myself, falls hard, hurts hard and dreams of the most unlikely scenarios - is that you forget you are watching a film and start to feel like you are right there with him as he has his heart ripped out and wallows in is pain.

There is more time dedicated to his pain than his joy and that is another reason why I love this film. It doesn't wash over the gut wrenching agony of having the person you love tell you it's over.

I too have spent days in bed feeling sorry for myself and say what you want sometimes you just need that! So back off before you call me a wet flannel!! - which as insults go is pretty harsh I think you'll find.

There are cheery moments in this film and the dance scene 'the morning after' is brilliantly done and we have all felt like doing that (some of us probably have done something similar too).

The clever way 500 Days is edited with it jumping from the good times to the bad times is another nod towards the fact that life doesn't always work out in the easy straightforward way of our dreams.

I've not yet mentioned Zooey Deschanel in all this, and for good reason. She is a bitch in this. I am a big fan of miss Deschanel but it's hard to like her in this, which must have been a hard character to play but at the same time pretty rewarding. Known for playing the 'quirky one' in a lot of her films she plays a quirky mind fuck expertly here- a little too well which is a worry, although it seems I like that in a woman, let's not get in to that...

The scene of the film for me is where the screen splits to show what Tom wanted to happen and what really happens when he went to Summer's party. Magnificently shot, brilliantly played out and backed by a sublime tune - Regina Spektor's Hero.

That's another thing, the soundtrack to this film is outstanding. One of the very best around. Get that as well as this film!

People please if you have not seen this film, watch it! if you are going through a tough break up, watch it! Hell if you are tired of Hollywood remakes and want to be immersed in a original film WATCH IT!!

Now I'm off to check my bank balance as I'm waiting for my payment from director Marc Webb...