The Rom Com Catalog

Tag: Clark Gregg

  • ‘(500) Days of Summer’ (2009) Review

    ‘(500) Days of Summer’ (2009) Review

    When Tom meets Summer, his dream girl, he falls hard and fast, despite Summer’s insistence that she does not want a serious relationship. When Summer breaks things off, Tom reflects on their relationship to try and figure out what went wrong.

    (500) Days of Summer quickly points out that this is not a love story. Even when Tom and Summer are at their peak happiness, we can see it’s clearly not love, at least not from the viewpoint of Summer. Tom is oblivious to Summer’s cooling affection because he’s happy and in love, so we take the journey with him as he struggles to figure out what caused the demise of their relationship.

    I really loved that this film is not linear. It bounces back and forth through various points (days) of Summer and Tom’s relationship, and while we already know the ending, this unconventional storytelling approach keeps things interesting. As Tom, Joseph Gordon-Levitt is extremely likable, and I am sure anyone who has experienced heartbreak can relate to his maddening inability to see how wrong Summer is for him.

    Zooey Deschanel was the perfect actress to play the part of Summer. This kind of role could easily have teetered into the manic-pixie dream girl trope, but Summer has depth and an actual personality that make her feel like a fully realized person. She’s honest and independent, and she doesn’t seem to have a romantic bone in her body.

    More than that, she does not exist solely for Tom to mature and grow as a man (though he does); she is also a person in her own right. While she does have her charms, Summer can also come across as somewhat unlikable. She told Tom she is not interested in a boyfriend or anything serious, yet she allows it to happen anyway. She knows how Tom feels about her, and when he walks away, she pulls him back in.

    I’ve seen numerous commentaries on this movie where Summer is portrayed as the villain, but I disagree. I don’t necessarily think anyone in this movie is the “bad guy.” They both make questionable decisions – Summer continues the relationship, knowing she does not feel the same way for Tom that he feels for her, and Tom places unrealistic expectations on their relationship. But that is what makes (500) Days of Summer so good. It’s a story about human relationships. Sometimes they don’t work out, and there isn’t always one person to blame.

    (500) Days of Summer is unique and sharply written, with on-point performances from Deschanel and Gordon-Levitt. Director Marc Webb pulls us into the rom-com world with a delightful musical number, some black-and-white fantasies, and animated, lovesick birds. And then he yanks us back into the real world, full of disappointment and days where it’s hard enough to get out of bed, let alone get dressed and face life without someone you thought was The One. Expectations versus reality. Rom-coms are usually meant for us to revel in the expectations, but every now and then, a movie comes along that forces us to face reality, and we are better for it. (500) Days of Summer is one of those movies.

    Watched: 01/17/2025
    Notable Song: Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap

    Rating:
  • ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ (2013) Review

    ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ (2013) Review

    Much Ado About Nothing Synopsis: A modern retelling of Shakespeare’s classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.

    While this is a modern retelling of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, it stays true to the Bard’s language much in the same vein as Baz Lurhman’s spectacular take on Romeo and Juliet in 1996. Joss Whedon’s script stays faithful to the play, and while some characters are condensed, it doesn’t take away from the story at all.

    I’m a pretty big fan of William Shakespeare’s work, and I absolutely loved the 1993 Kenneth Branagh adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. It remains my favorite take on the play, but Joss Whedon’s film is still quite lovely and entertaining.

    I have a lot of praise to give the cast for being able to give such solid and nuanced performances over the span of only twelve days. It felt as though they had been playing these characters for years, and it was quite evident that they were all having a blast.

    “Methinks she’s too low for a high praise, too brown for a fair praise, too little for a great praise.” – Benedick

    While I’ve been spoiled by Branagh and Emma Thompson’s chemistry-soaked portrayal of sparring almost-lovers Benedick and Beatrice, Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker did not disappoint me. They’re at their best when exchanging cutting barbs and denying to the world their desire to marry, though some of that intensity is lost when they start making eyes at one another. There are some sweet, grounded moments between the two, but a few attempts at physical comedy instead bordered on absurd.

     “I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow than a man swear he loves me.” – Beatrice

    Buffy alums Nathan Fillion and Tom Lenk are also marvelous as the bumbling Dogberry and Verges, Constables for the Prince get wind of Don John’s devious deeds. Fillion, especially, garnered the most laughs while attempting to instruct his watchmen on handling thieves and crying babies. Listening to his nonsensical ramblings was a highlight of the film itself.

    Sadly, I think the weak link in Much Ado About Nothing was Sean Maher, who played the Prince’s brother, Don John. His villainy felt a little forced and stale. The always excellent Riki Lindhome, who played Conrad, Don John’s minion and lover, would have been more interesting in the role. At one point in the film, he declares that he is a villain, but it feels less about emotion and hatred for his brother and more like he is making sure we all know it, just in case it isn’t obvious.

    While I really loved the setting, I wasn’t sure what the purpose of shooting the film in black and white was. I’m sure there was a legitimate reason behind it, but I don’t think there was any artistic merit to doing so. I think I would have preferred to watch the movie in color, as the black and white seemed to cheapen the production value a bit.

    Whedon effortlessly balances the humor and more dramatic moments, avoiding what would have been quite an abrupt tonal shift in someone else’s hands. I enjoyed Much Ado About Nothing quite a bit, and if you’re a fan of Shakespeare (or Whedon, I guess), this is definitely one to watch. I’m just not entirely sure it’s one worth repeated views.

    Watched: 09/08/2020
    Notable Song: Sigh No More (feat. Maurissa Tancharoen & Jed Whedon)

    Rating: