Some call (500) Days of Summer "hipster garbage". Some call it one of the best love stories they've seen. I call it fantastic.

(500) Days of Summer is the story of Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who falls in love with a girl who doesn't believe in such folly, Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel). It may sound like your typical rom-com, but there is hardly anything typical about it. For one, the two leads have on-screen chemistry, a rare sight in rom-coms these days. And while has the predictable situation of boy meets girl, within the first two minutes of the film, you are allowed to know: This is not a love story. The first few minutes alone set (500) Days of Summer a part from most rom-coms, and that's not because it already lost the happy ending before the opening credits. The story is not set in chronological order, which adds charm and gave a lot of freedom to the writers and director to explore the process of falling in love. That's really what the movie is about - the process of falling in love.

This movie leaves nothing out. All the awkward silences, all the lies one will tell to prevent looking like an idiot, all the mixed feelings, all of those are there. It shows all the frailties and insecurities brought on by love which makes love worthwhile. We are shown tender moments between Tom and Summer, in Ikea and in apartments alike. The movie is well-acted, well-directed, and witty. Did I mention hilarious? I'm pretty easy to please, but there are undeniably funny parts that would make most laugh. This movie has a wonderful balance of entertainment and thoughtfulness. The best I can describe it is subtly poignant. Everyone can relate to one small part of this movie, whether it's Tom's idealistic attitude, Summer's cynicism, being emotionally crushed by someone you love, or otherwise. This is a movie where I really felt connected to the character, like it was my story as much as it was Tom's.

This is Marc Webb's first feature film, and all I can say is bravo. He incorporated so many techniques I had never seen before, and the movie was, in general, very beautiful. The film takes place in Los Angeles, and yes, the entire movie was shot there, but it didn't seem like Los Angeles. It takes talent to make a big city look not only considerably smaller, but prettier than any outsider or tourist would think. Webb has directed many music videos ("Fidelity" by Regina Spektor, "Helena" by My Chemical Romance, "Ocean Avenue" by Yellowcard, just to name a few) and I think that's what made this so good. With music videos, you have to pack a story into a few minutes, and make 100% of it 100% awesome, or else what would be the point? So I think with that mindset, Webb was able to make 100% of all 90-some minutes of (500) Days of Summer artistic and gorgeous. I had so many favorite parts to this movie, I can't even begin to tell you. There are many memorable scenes, and I can count on it that you will walk out of the movie remembering various unique, SUPER COOL parts.

Have I made my point yet? Stop reading this review and RENT THIS MOVIE.