500 Days of Summer: The Cult Break-Up Movie

“This is a story of boy meets girl, but you should know upfront, this is not a love story.”

500 Days of Summer (2009) is a romantic comedy-drama, that tells the story of Tom Hensen reflecting on his failed relationship with Summer Finn, a girl he believed to be his soulmate. After being dumped, he tries to figure out where things went wrong and how he can win her back. A typical at-first-glance romcom will ruin your expectations, as the director Marc Webb crashes the laws of the genre with various techniques, making this work into a cult break-up film.

1.Non-linear narrative

The first thing you notice in 500 Days of Summer is a non-linear narrative. Watching an ordinary romcom, we expect to see the meeting of the main characters, the gradual emergence of feelings, obstacles on the way, and finally a happy ending. Here, the film deliberately abandons the conventional chronological storytelling approach, opting instead to jump back and forth through the 500 days of Tom’s relationship with Summer. This choice allows the audience to experience the highs and lows of their relationship in a fragmented yet emotionally resonant way. The non-linear structure mirrors the way memories are often recalled – not in a linear progression but through a series of moments that leave a lasting impact. For example, on the 191st day of their relationship, Tom and Summer are happily watching a movie in the cinema. In the next frame, we see day 314, where Tom is sadly watching a movie alone.

2. The presence of a Narrator

An additional layer of intrigue is added through the presence of a narrator, an unusual character for romantic comedies. The narrator's role is pivotal in guiding the audience through the emotional rollercoaster of Tom and Summer's relationship. His periodic commentary provides insight into Tom's perspective, offering a blend of humor and introspection. Tom thinks about his feelings with all seriousness, so the presence of the narrator allows us to detach ourselves from his love drama. This narrative device not only enriches the storytelling but also serves as a reminder of the subjective nature of memory and personal interpretation.

3. Costumes

Costume design plays a subtle yet meaningful role in 500 Days of Summer. The film utilizes costumes to symbolize the characters' emotional states and the evolution of their relationship. In the film, Summer mostly wears blue outfits contrasting with the warm colors in the film. Thus, Summer is associated with the color blue. In the happiest moments of Tom and Summer's relationship, there is a lot of blue in the frame. This is especially noticeable in the scene where Tom is dancing with strangers because of how happy he is. We can see that passersby wear many shades of blue.

As the relationship deteriorates, Summer is less likely to be seen in blue, and more and more she begins to wear black. As soon as she puts on black, it is a sign that the relationship will end soon. In that way, the costumes become visual markers, reinforcing the shifts in the characters' dynamics and the overarching themes of the narrative.

Conclusion

500 Days of Summer is an untypical romantic story that stands out for its innovative storytelling techniques and thoughtful exploration of love and relationships. Another reason why this film can be called cult is that it is different every time you rewatch it. We grow older, and our perspective changes. At one moment, the viewer can associate himself with hopeless romantic Tom, at another - with nihilist Summer. 500 Days of Summer is a thought provoking film that will make the viewer wonder what love is and whether fate exists, but most importantly, it will teach to let go and move on.

Reference

Webb, M. (Director). (2009). 500 Days of Summer. [Film]. Dune Entertainment.