500 Days of Summer is not a love story and Summer is not a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, even though she is depicted as one in the film. The reason for this is the film’s perspective, and understanding it unlocks what this film is really about.

Movies Under The Surface is a series of video essays that explores what makes great films great. The videos are about understanding movies at a deeper level, beneath plot and story, at their heart.

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Footage from:
500 Days of Summer (2009), Dir. Mark Webb
Garden State (2004), Dir. Zach Braff
Titanic (1997), Dir. James Cameron
Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991), Dir. James Cameron
Black Swan (2010), Dir. Darren Aronofsky
When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Dir. Rob Reiner

Music from:
500 Days of Summer Soundtrack - Mychael Danna and Rob Simonsen
Sugartown - Nancy Sinatra, Performed by Zooey Deschanel
Titanic Soundtrack - James Horner
Hero - Regina Spektor
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Track
Here Comes Your Man - Pixies, Performed by Joseph Gordon Levitt

For educational purposes only.