500 Days of Summer is a romance.... except it is certainly not a love story. Rather, it is the story of what happens when you fall in love with the idea of someone instead of the person themselves. 
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The film is also brilliantly constructed by the great use of many cinematic codes and conventions. As a class, we are going to watch this film and then analyse some key scenes to help us understand how cinematic codes and conventions can be cleverly manipulated to create deeper meaning and understanding for the audience.

Framing and Composition

This is the opening shot of the film 500 Days of Summer. It is also the introduction to Summer and Tom. What does this opening shot say about this couple? look at how close they are sitting to each other. Do you think they are in love?

Colour and Camera

This is the introduction to Tom. look at the way the camera frames him. Also pay attention to the colour he wears and the colour of his environment. What does this say about his character?

Split Screen Composition

Here we see Summer and Tom side by side. Notice the old Super8 style footage and the way the 2 compositions on screen relate to each other. Listen to the song 'Us' by Regina Spektor. What does all this suggest about the way Tom sees his relationship with Summer?

Sound mixing

Listen to Summer say "we can still be friends" - pay close attention to the world 'friends' - what happens to it? what does this suggest about the way Tom hears the word? What is his character's point of view?

Colour and
Mise-en-scene

This is the introduction to the character of Summer. Pay attention to the monochromatic colour and the 1950s aesthetic of her costume, bike and environment. What does this suggest about the way Tom sees Summer?

Mise-en-scene and Composition

The first conversation! Look at what each character is wearing. Have a look at the way the shot is framed and the symmetrical composition.
What do you think is being suggested about these two characters?

Camera

Tom is now falling in love with Summer. Watch this montage of the things he loves about her. Notice the use of extreme close ups. 
What does this camera shot suggest about the way Tom sees Summer now?

Framing and Character

Summer tells Tom they should just be friends and walks away. Tom is left standing on the street framed by fairy lights. Notice how Summer walks away from him. Which character is in control? Whose point of view are we seeing here?

Directing

In the very next scene Summer and Tom kiss.
Who walks towards who?
​Who leaves first?
Why do you think the scene is directed this way?

Colour and Setting

Tom and Summer are now in a relationship. He is feeling on top of the world! In this dance sequence we are set inside Tom's mind. He is now in Summer's world. Can you see clues to the world of Summer?  

Editing

At the end of the dance we have a match cut between an elevator door closing and opening. We are now near the end of their relationship. What differences can you see? Why do you think the movie matches between such contrasting moments in the relationship?

Mise-en-scene

Have a look at Summer's apartment. What colours, patterns and styles do you see?
Do you feel like Tom fits into Summer's world?

Focus

As Summer describes her ex's she mentions Charlie who Tom at first thinks is a boy. How does the movie trick us into thinking Charlie is a boy? what camera technique did they use?

Composition

When a character is feeling sad film-makers can often accentuate the feeling for the audience. 
When Tom is watching a movie, how is the camera framing him that makes him seem depressed?

Satire and Point of View

While Tom is at the movies he imagines himself in every sad scene. At the end he sees himself as the knight losing in a game of chess against an Angel. This is a parody of Ingmar Bergman's 'The Seventh Seal - watch here
Why do you think Tom loses to an angel instead of death?

Camera and Lighting

When Tom bumps into Summer on his way to his co-workers wedding he begins to have strong feelings for her again. What do you see in the lighting and the camera shots that suggest Tom may be seeing Summer in a new way? What is he noticing bout her?

Structure of time and storyline

The expectations VS reality sequence is the highlight of the film. What do you notice about the way time has been structured between the two realities? Why do we see both at once on the screen?  What happens when reality finally sinks in for Tom?

Animation and Lighting

When Tom leaves the party his world is dark and drained of colour and turns to a sketch/drawing.
Why do you think this happens? What is this suggesting about Tom's world now that he cant be with Summer?

Sound Design

Tom is seen sadly bouncing a ball after his breakup. Eventually he begins to get his life back on track. What do you notice about the rhythm of the bouncing ball and the music playing? What is this suggesting about Tom?

Motif

Tom's interpretation of love has been influenced by a gross miss-reading of the film: The Graduate.
This film is a common motif in 500 Days of Summer. When Tom remembers some of the bas times, he remembers Summer crying at the end of 'The Graduate' (you need to watch the ending here). Why do you think Summer cries?

Colour and Scenic Design

At the end of the film Tom meets Autumn. Her name suggests that she may be the next season in Tom's love life. 
However, what does her costume and colours/materials of the surrounding environment suggest that may be different to Summer?

End Graphic

This is how the film ends. Day one of a new season and new relationship.
How do you think this will all end? IS Tom doomed to repeat his mistakes? Will he regret his choice like 'The Graduate'? Or is this the beginning of something special?

The Film Analysis Task

Your task after watching the film and analysing it in class is to either:

• Write a 1000 word essay, or
• Create a 5 minute video Essay

That addresses the following topic question:
​500 days of Summer uses cinematic tools in very expressive ways to help the audience understand the world of Summer, the world of Tom, and often how Tom is feeling. In your essay you need to analyse how the film '500 Days of Summer' uses camera, acting, mise-en-scene, editing, lighting and sound to create meaning for the audience. How do these cinematic tools help the audience understand Summer's world? Or Tom's world? Or how Tom feels about Summer?

Here are some examples from past students to help you: