Images, Clockwise from Left: Director, Marc Webb, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Tom in "(500) Days of Summer"), Gordon-Levitt with Webb, Q & A with various cast and crew

Chicago Gen Art's 3rd Annual Film Festival kicked off with (500) Day of Summer starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the beautiful/adorable/amazing Zooey Deschanel. Director Marc Webb and Gordon-Levitt made a red carpet entrance at the over-packed Music Box Theatre. Although Webb, who has also directed numerous music videos from Regina Spektor to Green Day, claims it is not a movie about love, it most certainly focuses on all the aspects other "romance comedies" fail to tell you about the topic. Often depicting romance as blissful and all a bloom, "(500) Days of Summer" reveals the tiny irritations and snowballing backhanded comments that lead to eventual break up....but the movie is hilarious!

I could not really put this movie into a genre as it draws upon a variety of shot techniques and story telling method. After viewing the film, a friend of mine made an interesting comment regarding the narrative structure, relating it more to a literary stand point than typical movie script dialogue. It is also interesting to point out, they're are not that many characters involved, possibly six, but there is still incredible depth into the subject.

A definite chemistry is recognizable on screen between Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel. Years ago, they starred together in the movie "Manic" and their ongoing relationship is what Gordon-Levitt said is a product of such in the movie. "Zooey is one of my favorite people in the world. I've known her for 10 years. It made a huge difference to have someone I know and trust to do this movie with." 

It is also important to point out this film's amazing soundtrack including She&Him (of course), The Smiths and Black Lips. Check out it's release July 14 and definitely go see this movie. I believe every gender and age will find it relatable on some level.

Header Images by: Nicholas Kohout