Directed by Marc Webb.
I think this is one of the most misunderstood films in recent years, misunderstood because it did something very powerful that few people seem to have noticed.
People generally reach one of two conclusions about 500 Days of Summer: that Summer is a bitch who treated Tom terribly, or that Tom is an idiot.
Basically she is a quircky, attractive, fun loving gal who is perfect in every way, including perfect for our hero, whom she adores. In addiction to this, her main purpose in life is to complete him, she is whatever he needs so he can grow.
The character represents a certain wish fulfilment from the writer, someone probably with demons who longs for a girl to complete him.
Because movies are made with cameras and cameras are inherently subjective, movies are inherently subjective as well. There are two ways filmmakers can deal with this: one is to mitigate it and try to make film as objective as possible, and the other is to use it to their advantage, to use the subjectiveness to make the film better.
500 Days of Summer chooses the latter. Not only that, it does so through only one character. This is an opposition to the most romances, which are usually depicted from both male and female's perspective. In this film, however, we only experience what Tom experiences.
The film isn't subtle about it either. Everything in this film takes Tom's perspective.
This is most directly shown in the fact that Tom is in every scene. If Tom isn't there experiencing the events himself, the scene isn't in the film. The cinematography also reflects Tom's perspective. Los Angeles is depicted much more beautifully an objective view would show, because Tom is romantic and that's how he sees the world. This is especially true when he is with Summer: Tom and Summer's scenes contain many of the most beautiful shots in the film. Likewise, the sound design reflects Tom's perspective, which occurs whenever Summer inspires Tom, but never the other way around. Even the music represents Tom, sometimes the lyrics literally saying what he is feeling. And the title cards reflect him too, the color behind them watching the quality of the day he is having. But it's not just structure and technique that are depicted through Tom's perspective, everything is. Everything, including the other characters. McKenzie is the lovable loser because that's how Tom sees him. Paul is a loyal friend because that's how Tom sees him. Rachel is a relationship expert because that's how Tom sees her. And most importantly, Summer is a Manic Pixie Dream Girl because that's how Tom sees her. Objectively, Summer is not a Manic Pixie Dream Girl. This is because ever though she is quirky, and fun, she also has her own wants and desires; she doesn't exist just to complete Tom.
Tom however, doesn't see this, he sees her as everything he wants, regardless of her own wants and needs.
Even when Summer finally opens up and is vulnerable with Tom, it's still about him, not her. This is the major reasons why their relationship fails.
Tom doesn't understand love; he simply sees women as Manic Pixie Dream Girls.
But for the first time, in entire movie, in the end, Tom and Summer's relationship is about her, not him. Tom says: "I really do hope that you're happy." This is possible because Tom has matured; he no longer sees girls as Manic Pixie Dream Girls.
The film is about Tom becoming an adult, something he did during his 500 days of Summer.
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