Reviwed by Richard Lee Zuras

Released July 24, 2009

1 hr. 36 min.

Marc Webb/Fox Searchlight Films

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Zooey Deschanel

Full disclosure: I am a huge Zooey Deschanel fan. (Though I haven’t seen her recent years-long slew of Indie films.) I “discovered” her in her first film, a decade ago, entitled Mumford. Since then, as she has appeared in films like Elf, Almost Famous and Yes Man, I have marveled at her voice, speaking and singing, and her grace. She is often referred to as having saucer-like eyes (it is meant in a good way), and an impish smile. The psychologist in me says she reminds me of Jessica in Rankin-Bass’ Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town. But I digress for a reason. Zooey is rarely sexualized (Maxim lists not withstanding) in the way so common of Hollywood’s young actresses. She is from a Hollywood family (her father is the cinematographer that gave us The Passion of the Christ) and seems to know how to cast her spell in the vein of a young Katherine Hepburn–another screen beauty that was never redacted into a purely sexual object.

In this film, she has found the perfect role. Not to spoil the movie but suffice it to say that there is a real-world quality about Zooey that she is somehow unattainable, somehow a projection of perfection splashed with Artistic imperfection. Human. And her ability, and Joseph’s, to play to the roles they have set before them is remarkable. It has been reported that the director gave the two leads specific songs to listen to before each day’s filming. Music, in fact, is perfectly intertwined throughout the film, including a Bollywood-like little song and dance set to the sounds of Hall and Oates. Having seen this in a packed theater, I can report that everyone responded with glee! Not since When Harry Met Sally has a romantic comedy given us such real characters with such believable chemistry. And if I’ve not given Joseph enough credit let me add here that having followe him since 10 Things to his star turns in Miracle in St. Anna and The Lookout, let me state here that the sky is the limit for this uber-talented actor.

A few old-school critics accuse this movie of manipulating the tools of the trade (it is ripe with flash-backs, flash-forwards, re-edits of scenes, and voice-over) in order to achieve its desired effects. Well isn’t that the point of having a large tool-box? Now these days, particularly in the action arena, many directors/producers make movies in service of the tools themselves. But no rational movie-goer will see such propaganda at work herein. This is a film that employs its wares in a synchronistic, highly organic manner. Seldom, if ever, will you find yourself saying “Oh, that shouldn’t have been done that way.” Trust me.

This is a charming movie about infatuation. Therefore, about 99% of the audience should relate. But it is a quiet film, not one that will easily fall into the laps of the teen-goer, and will therefore have to make it in the same way that Little Miss Sunshine or Juno did–through positive word of mouth and rave reviews. It will be hard to find many folks that don’t recommend it. It will be harder still to find a negative review. Trust me.

Bottom line 4.5/5.0