Movie Review: 500 Days of Summer

This is a story about "boy meets girl," not a love story... The intro to this movie which immediately caught my attention, made me curious and a little bit anxious about the ending. This is the first movie I watched all by myself (actually a friend just gave me a copy of it), well I was used to going out to the movies with my boyfriend in the past, so please bear with me about the story telling part :)

As the story goes, Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) the leading man who believed that he can never be truly happy until he meets "the one," the one girl who he'll love for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel), the leading lady, had a different view in life. She's a bubbly, cute and funny girl-next-door type of gal whom Tom fell deeply in-love with.

At first, I felt that this movie is just like any ordinary love story re-written just so to make it unique. Well, I was wrong. It's a romantic comedy film that slightly (I believe) pictures some of the life styles that people are actually living right now. Though the movie was made entirely fictional, you too will realize that you knew someone who's been living like Tom or Summer, probably one of your friends or neighbors, but who ever that is, I just wish it wasn't you!

Anyway, continuing the story. Tom had wished to become an architect (he did study about architecture before) but he works at a greeting card company and Summer was his boss', Vance (Clark Gregg), new assistant. After the company's night out party in a karaoke club, Tom's co-worker and close friend McKenzie (Geoffrey Arend) had a bit too much to drink that he let slip the words that Tom is attracted to Summer, right in front of Summer. After that, the two became closer. I can't really say their a couple because they're not, Summer made it clear to Tom that she's not into the relationship thing and that she doesn't believe in true love. It's kinda hard to explain on how to call them since their not a couple but they've been going out and even making out very very intimately...

One day, after watching a movie, Summer suddenly decided to call it quits. The split made Tom very bitter and confused. Summer left the greeting card company and Tom slowly got depressed. Months later, Tom attended a co-worker's wedding where McKenzie was supposed to accompany him, but instead, McKenzie called Summer and told her to come to the wedding and accompany Tom. So the two met again and enjoyed their time together. At the wedding, Summer invited Tom for a small party at her apartment's garden roof top, he thought that finally they could continue where they've left off. At Summers party, Tom suddenly realized what the celebration was all about when he saw Summer talking to a friend while showing her engagement ring. He immediately left the apartment and got even more depressed.

From here on, Tom would only go out to buy alcohol and junk food, neglecting his responsibilities. After a few days, he came to office on presentation day but did not have anything to present. Tom lost his temper and quits his job.

Days went by, Tom decided to pursue his dream job, to become an architect. He started studying again and attended interviews. Summer got married, while Tom continues his dream, though he wasn't so lucky applying for a new job as an architect.

A few more days later, Tome was sitting on his favorite spot in the city (where he previously showed to Summer), when a voice from behind called, "Tom." It was Summer sitting on another bench. Tom, happy to see her again, congratulated Summer, unfortunately he never meant it...

Tom: You never wanted to be anybody's girlfriend, and now you're somebody's wife. I don't think I'll ever understand that.
Summer: It just happened. I just woke up one day, and I knew.
Tom: Knew what?
Summer: What I was never sure of with you...

I think it was "true love" that Summer was never sure of with Tom, though they've been dating and making out a lot. I guess it's true that one day you'll just wake up and suddenly realize that the person you're with isn't the right one for you.

Tom attended an interview one day where he met a girl applying for the same position as he is. He offered her to have coffee after the interview and then asked for her name, the girl replied, "Autumn" (that made me giggle).

And that's where the story ends! See, I told you, as the story teller also told you, it's not a love story, it's a story about boy meets girl ;)

... you can't ascribe great cosmic significance to a simple Earthly event. Coincidence. That's all anything ever is. Nothing more than coincidence.
... Tom had finally learned that there are no miracles. There's no such thing as fate. Nothing is meant to be. He knew, he was sure of it now.

If you're alone now, looking for the right person... well, I hope you do find him or her. Don't put or trust everything to what you call fate or destiny, it is you who controls everything in your life. Go out with friends, enjoy life, and if you meet somebody you like, go ahead! We only live once.