500 Days of Summer

(Marc Webb, 2009)

IMDB

We are introduced to the main characters, Tom and Summer, via a montage of childhood home videos, showing them developing their interests and personalities. The film constantly flashes back and forth between the 500 days of their relationship, the colours reflecting the tone in that stage of their time together.

Tom dresses in greys and pale colours whilst Summer wears pale blues and yellows. Her apartment is decorated with patterns and “ditsy”, pale furniture, whilst Tom's apartment is furnished with dark wood. When he's in a relationship with Summer, the whole filter of the film is brighter and warmer, whereas everything gets colder and pale when she leaves and Tom feels miserable.

During the film they visit an IKEA, which is exactly like every other IKEA you've ever visited in your life! Homely and a little quirky. The morning after Tom and Summer spend their first night together, everything is noticeably brighter. There's an upbeat song playing, the sun is shining, everyone smiles and walks with rhythm. The people in the park are all in sky blue clothing and form into a synchronised dance, only accentuating Tom's happiness. As he enters the elevator everything is bright, the lift door closes and it re-opens ahead in time, where the relationship has gone dark and cold, along with the tone of the film.

In the expectation vs. reality scene, the screen is split and narrated, there's no audible dialogue. The scenes start the same and reality plays out slightly behind Tom's expectations. The expectation side is bright and warming, intimate, whereas reality is more sterile and cool.

The scene takes place on a rooftop garden with pastel shades and lantern hanging lights of pinks and pale blues. Reality and expectation become one single screen as the camera pans and focuses on Summer showing somebody her engagement ring. A great realisation of emotion comes over Tom and the colour in his face fades. As he flees the scene and runs down the street, the colour begins to drain and the shot becomes illustrated and the scenery is erased until all that remains is the slumped silhouette of Tom, alone.