Shhhhh.... Let the music play!

Rating: 4/5

As avid movie watchers, very rarely do we come across movies which tell stories about love rather than a love story. One of these is "(500) days of Summer" released in the Aug 2009 world wide. The story is written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, it is produced by Mark Waters and directed by Marc Webb.

The movie is a third person non-linear narrative of a young man Tom(Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who falls in love with a woman named Summer(Zooey Deschanel), who coming from a broken family does not believe in love. From the very start of the movie, the viewers are warned that, "This is not a love story". This sets the pace of the movie as it skips back and forth from where Tom meets Summer to where he is handling his breakup with her. As the movie progresses, the viewers can't help developing a hope for Tom as their relationship slowly progresses emotionally and physically and at the same time they can't help empathize with protagonist Tom as he tries to come to terms with the breakup.

Without revealing the ending to my readers I would like to point out few things about the movie. First and foremost what stands out is the style of the story telling. Third person nonlinear story telling is not a new idea, however, whats novel, unique and gripping about this movie is the retro feel to it. What mainly creates this feel is beautiful post production work and music which compliments it at every point in the movie. The pace of the movie is slow enough to keep the mellow feeling inside the viewer alive and fast enough to keep the viewer interested.

What adds to the retro look is the get up of lead characters. Tom is all grown up from his "3rd Rock from the Sun" days and his physique has matured enough to showcase fitted casual suits making his look just right for young enough handsome man who looks vulnerable to whatever life throws at him. Similarly, the Summers lives up to the character's name with starry eyes, tiny mouth and bangs; and tiny waist showcased by sixties style dresses and pant shirts. While watching her in the movie, one can't help thinking about Sean Young from Blade runner. She has the same looks and same hot cold feeling to her.


Interestingly, the male lead keeps reminding us of Heath Ledger. He has that same lovable feel to him as Heath Ledger.

Secondly, acting by the lead actors is quite good. Joseph Gordon-Levitt always stood out in 3rd Rock from the Sun in terms of his acting. However, being all grown up, the range of emotions that he conveyed to the viewers through this movie without even uttering many words is huge. He truely stands out in the movie. Similarly, acting by Zooey Deschanel is also pretty good. She perfectly fitted herself into the character description of being warm enough to be empathized with and cold enough to be thought of as heartless.

Lastly, its the story line, the beauty of the movie is that it focuses on the emotions that people go through, their happiness, their ego, their hurt, and the whole range of emotions when they fall into and through love. Everyone who has suffered heartache after a very good relationship should definitely watch the movie. Its nails in the idea how when two people who are really happy together, may or may not find their endings together because one of them may not feel the "this is it" factor. It makes you understand how this is a perfectly normal emotion and help you realize that how the person who may leave in the end may not be actually at fault as we blame them to be. As in spite of all their interest and emotion, they might not feel that this relationship is "it" and strive for its success or progress to the next level. Yet they may find that feeling with some one else.

For all the above reasons and more, this movie is highly recommended to be watched.

How many of us in Pakistan face the problem of what to watch with the family?

I think pretty much all of us.

Once upon a time, there were, urdu plays which finished in an hour without too many commercials.. but that was then, but now..

English Movies- Unexpected SNL
English drama - can't watch too many murder mysteries cos my mom in law is squeamish.
Urdu Dramas - Way too many commercials
Indian Movies - Expected SNL
or even worse
tabsaray!

So what are we left with? yes.. I watch National Geographic, Discovery or sports with family. THATS ALL!

However, yesterday, after a long long time, I caught a movie on HBO called, "Paul Blart: MALL COP" starring Kevin James from "The King of Queens" Fame. While his acting was not that different from how he acts in the show, however, the movie was extremely funny and made me laugh out loud at regular intervals. The movie revolves around a mall cop, who in spite of his boring job description believe he is doing a very important job. His skill and commitment is put to test when a co-worker puts into action his plan to rob the mall and take his daughter and the girl he likes as hostages. The interesting and funny way, he foils robber's plans and shine in the end, makes it a very good comedy watch. Its not what he does, its how he does it!

As a comedy movie, this is perhaps the movie I watched after "What happens in Vegas" which actually made me laugh out loud. Whats even better about it is that I could actually watch it with my family. I only needed to censor a kiss and a scene where he is being beaten up, so that was a good change.

Maybe what I wrote is wrong cos I watched it on HBO, a channel which censors movies so much that one becomes miserable. So, in that case, I am sorry in advance if your mom screams, "What kinda cheap movie is this!" after you pop it in your DVD player. Ha ha.. Other wise, for good laughs.. I give it 3.5 outta 5. :)