I don't tend to do movie reviews, because everyone has different tastes, and I like to stay as far away from spoilers as I can, but for this movie I just cannot help myself. I saw (500) Days of Summer this afternoon, and I was completely blown away. The storytelling was so unique, so unexpected -- and it really worked. If you're writing anything with flashbacks or voiceover, this is a must-see.
The basic premise, without giving too much away, is boy meets girl...but it isn't a love story. It's just an honest portrayal of the modern relationship, with heartfelt details and fantastic acting. I'm a huge Joseph Gordon Levitt fan to begin with, but his work in this film was stunning. And Zooey Deschanel was so real, you could almost touch her. Everything about this movie worked, from the sequencing, to the intricate costume and set design, to the dramatic tension in each scene.
This is a prime example of both characters and conflict. The entire movie is driven by these two specific characters who are at once only themselves but also universal, regular Joes. So the audience immediately recognizes themselves in the characters, but they are so detailed that they feel like real people. The characters are mixed with an inherent conflict that's placed subtly in each scene. Not a moment goes by with some sort of dramatic tension. Each scene has a purpose or two, but in the background are inklings of the greater conflict. One of the complaints I make most in my coverage (and that I get 0n my own writing, let's be humble for a second) is that the scenes lack conflict, and the story lacks drama. So seeing a movie where it really comes together made me truly understand this important nuance of screenwriting.
In short, if you're serious about pursuing screenwriting as a career, you have to see this movie. And you have to learn from it. And if you just like movies, art, or life, then you'll have a great hour and half in the theater.
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