This 2006 movie, now on DVD, stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Tom and Zooey Deschanel as Summer Finn. Tom is a discouraged architect turned greeting card writer. He believes that one day, he is destined to find his soul mate. Into his safe and boring life walks Summer, who he instantly falls head over heels for. She is also smitten by Tom, and thus begins an extremely well-thought through story which is not just about the power of love.
One of the really enjoyable points of the movie is when Tom realizes how much he loves Summer. The musical number that erupts has everyone around him feeling as he does. Symbolic or not, all have to agree that birds can't help but sing and the sun has no choice but to shine when when love is in the air
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Throughout their relationship, Summer states that she is not looking for a boyfriend. Tom interprets her mounting affection towards him as a natural progression which can only mean the opposite. As Tom pushes for a commitment, love turns to despair. That despair turns to a hope for their reconciliation, but watch what happens next.
The film effectively moves back and forth through time without missing a beat in terms of understanding the film. The contrast of the different stages of their union are thought provoking and at times playful as Tom attempts to decipher the enigma which is Summer Finn.
As the narrator said earlier, "This is not a love story." Whether we choose to accept it or not, we learn from each relationship. Some are determined to make that special person the one, but even if they are not, we gather bits of information, deal with our emotional state and are forever changed when the next one appears.
A superb movie and a great love story. A must-see which Prince, Oliver and I all give a 10 out of 10 score.
