Live from Sundance: Zooey Deschanel Breaks My Heart ... Again

by Scott Weinberg Jan 19th 2009 // 6:03PM

Filed under: Comedy, Sundance, Festival Reports


Maybe it's those massive blue eyes, maybe it's just her willowy and feminine ways, or maybe it's because her dad is one of the greatest cinematographers of all time, but I just loves me some Zooey Deschanel. Even in flicks that aren't all that stellar, Zoeey D. always manages to be just sweet / quirky / charming / earthy enough to keep me interested. And seriously, those big blue eyes are practically hypnotic. If Zooey Deschanel and Elijah Wood ever stared directly into each others' eyes, I suspect that the whole world would turn blue for 300 years.

Anyway, NO, this report is not about how I saw Zooey Deschanel at some swanky party and she waved at someone behind me, but for a second I thought she was waving at me, thereby making me faint on the spot. No, I just wanted to share my thoughts on Ms. Deschanel's newest film, the absolutely excellent anti-rom-com known as 500 Days of Summer.

Mr. Erik Davis has already logged his (very enthusiastic) review, but I just had to chime in and offer the following pair of cents: This is one of the smartest, funniest, and most insightful movies I've ever seen about the practical side of modern romance. I'm tempted to call it the perfect "romantic" comedy for guys -- but I guarantee that the ladies will love this movie too. Oh, and that Joseph Gordon-Levitt guy ... drop-dead pitch-perfect performance. It's a Cusack-ian role that JGL nails on every possible level.

As far as I can tell, 500 Days of Summer is the first "big break" movie for its director and two screenwriters, and frankly I'd like to avoid the analytical stuff you find in most movie reviews, and simply thank these three fellas for making such a great little film. The only apt comparison I can think of is the legendary Annie Hall, and while I realize that that's some really high praise, I actually think it fits. So there.

You guys won't get to see the flick until July (sorry!), but it'll be worth the wait.

Live from Sundance 2009

    Designer LisaBeth Weber smiles following the oath of office by President Barack Obama during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Katy Winn)

    AP

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Writer/director Paul Saltzman of the film "Prom Night In Mississippi" pose for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul Saltzman

    Getty Images

    Daniel (L) and Taline Dinenberg of San Francisco, California, watch the inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama on Main Street during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Ramin Rahimian (UNITED STATES)

    Reuters

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Producer Patricia Aquino and writer/director Paul Saltzman of the film "Prom Night In Mississippi" pose for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patricia Aquino;Paul Saltzman

    Getty Images

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Thuli Sibiya and Mildred Nycabo of the film "Rough Aunties" poses for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thuli Sibiya;Mildred Nycabo

    Getty Images

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Thuli Sibiya, director Kim Longinotto and Mildred Nycabo of the film "Rough Aunties" poses for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Thuli Sibiya;Kim Longinotto;Mildred Nycabo

    Getty Images

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: (L-R) Director Jeff Lipsky, actor Donny Chiappetta, actress Maria Tucci, actor Chris Beetem and actor Chazz Palminteri of the film "Once More With Feeling" pose for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Lipsky;Donny Chiappetta;Maria Tucci;Chris Beetem;Chazz Palminteri

    Getty Images

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: (L-R) Director Jeff Lipsky, actor Donny Chiappetta, actress Maria Tucci, actor Chris Beetem and actor Chazz Palminteri of the film "Once More With Feeling" pose for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Lipsky;Donny Chiappetta;Maria Tucci;Chris Beetem;Chazz Palminteri

    Getty Images

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Actress Maria Tucci of the film "Once More With Feeling" poses for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maria Tucci

    Getty Images

    PARK CITY, UT - JANUARY 20: Actress Maria Tucci of the film "Once More With Feeling" poses for a portrait at the Film Lounge Media Center during the 2009 Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2009 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Matt Carr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Maria Tucci

    Getty Images

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