Love. It can put a spring in your step and a smile on your face. Then it can come crashing down on your head like an avalanche of rocks that beat you to a bloody pulp while squeezing the very last breath from your lungs. Which is why the opening voice-over of (500) Days of Summer takes care to explain that the film is not a love story, but rather a story about love. An important distinction, avalanche wise.

It’s evident from the first moment, when a disclaimer flashes across the screen and sets the tone for the rest of the movie, that (500) Days of Summer is going to be both sweet and sour. Though the concept – and title – are a little too precious by half, director Marc Webb pulls it off with amazing deft. He weaves together a non-linear story so that the relation’s highs lead directly into the lows, so you experience the break-up an hour before the fight that precedes it. It’s smart, and it works.

Lyrics As Shorthand : NPR Music

via npr.org
Music plays a huge role in (500) Days of Summer, which opens next week. To get a little preview of the film, check out this piece from NPR that features first-time director Marc Webb discussing the kick-ass soundtrack

I’m definitely not a fan of romantic comedies (or “rom-coms” as some like to call them), but I have to say 500 Days of Summer looks pretty good. Unlike that Adventureland drivel of a few months back, this film actually looks like it’s not overreaching and, in fact, is lead by a talented duo. [...]