"(500) Days of Summer" Review

I've been quite excited for the release of this film for some time and finally went on a date with myself to check it out. I thought this film was heart-breakingly deflightful, well acted, well executed and mildly depressing. It was nowhere near as extreme as the soul-crushingly brilliant Revolutionary Road, but you're informed right at the start that it's a work of fiction and that it is NOT a love story, but of course a part of you hopes that there is a happy ending, but you soon realize that this movie is most likely not going to provide you with one for the unbeliveably adorable Zooey Deschanel and positively perfectly cute Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I describe both actors with postive adejctives because their portrayals of their characters and their chemistry was fantastic, each was incredibly flawed and relatable, throughout the film that chronicles the 500 days of their relationship, which are shown out of order. Entertainment Weekly's Owen Glieberman wrote:

(500) Days is like a mood ring cued to the ups, downs, and confusions of modern
love. It's a Gen-Y Annie Hall made by a new-style Wes Anderson who uses his
cleverness for humanity instead of postmodern superiority. None of it would
work, though, without such lived-in performances. Deschanel makes the lovely,
sensuous Summer just precocious enough to know what she wants without coming out and saying it, and Gordon-Levitt, with his junior Springsteenian chin jut, 
lets
you read every glimmer of hope, pain, lust, and befuddlement beneath his nervy
facade. It's a feat of star acting, and it helps make (500) Days not just bitter
or sweet but everything in between.

And I certainly agree.

My rating: 8.9/10

Revolutionary Road Review

So I finally saw Revolutionary Road, the other night which may not have been the best call considering I was pretty distraught over finally admitting I was heartbroken over losing 2 close friends [they're not dead, but no longer in my life] but it was a well executed, yet dire look at a relationship between a miserable marreid couple, named Frank and April Wheeler (excellently played by Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio ) in 1950's New York. It was basically THE most depressing episode of Mad Men ever without any emotional payoff aside from great performances. The film starts off with a knock down drag out shouting match, which is incredibly intense, and then the film only gets darker. While there are faint glimmers of hope and the potential for things to get better for April and Frank Wheeler more fighting is inevitable and is reminiscent of the scenes in Closer where the couples lay it all out. Watching April and Frank shout at each other reminded me of a few arguments I had with an ex, which is probably why I found myself laughing aloud when April finally tells him:

"But I don't [love you.] I hate you. You were just some boy who made me laugh at a party once, and now I loathe the sight of you. In fact, if you come any closer, if you touch me or anything, I think I'll scream."

All in all Rev Road in my opinion is one of the best romantic dramedies I've ever seen, but that's because I coudln't help but laugh at the fact that these people hated each other, yet were together, plus Michael Shannon - who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar -was hilariously brilliant as a neighbors mentally ill, but brutally honest son was a revelation. Sam Mendes' direction was flawless and has helmed a stark, realistic tome, but all I can say is if you do decide to sit through this, brace yourself it's pretty rough, but hey so is life.

My rating: 8.8/10