Concrete Playground

This is not a love story. This is a story about love.

From the opening (rather pointed) intertitles, this tagline is made abundantly clear. Debut feature film director Marc Webb and his two stars Joseph-Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel charmingly translate screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber’s wonderfully comic tale of the 500-day lifespan of an infatuation.


Webb – an established music video director – brings a definite musicality and cracking soundtrack to the film. He even has Gordon-Levitt celebrate his love in an hilarious dance sequence, reminiscent of by-gone musicals and Amy Adam’s romp through Central Park in Enchanted (or even this flash-mob ad for T-Mobile).

The musical fun continues even after (500) Days of Summer, with Webb reuniting with his stars to release the Bank Heist short, as well as a spoof on Sid & Nancy (an in-joke from the film). See both videos, as well as the trailer below.

Great performances, witty repartee and crackling chemistry between the two leads makes for an entirely enjoyable cinematic experience. In keeping with its indie sensibility, the film is steeped in reflexivity, film and music references, as well as a definite nod to The Graduate. All the ironic banter, jumping around in time and winking at the camera could well grate on some nerves. However, those willing to bask in the warmth of a wonderfully fresh take on boy-meets-girl, (500) Days of Summer will fast become a film favourite.