(500) Days of Summer (PG-13, 2009)

For those who feel that the romantic comedy genre is irrevocably broken and that nothing original will ever surface: Dump the cynicism. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER is the kind of movie that will make believers have faith again -- both in Hollywood and in love. Director Marc Webb’s glee in making the film is apparent; he approaches storytelling loosely, letting the movie breathe. He plays with time and memories, much as the mind does when recalling the moments that make or break relationships. The stellar soundtrack only heightens the pleasure.

And the plot: It follows some typical conventions, but only just. Rather than simply recounting how boy meets girl and following along for the roller-coaster ride that follows (as does nearly every film in this genre), it attempts to answer a very complicated question that we’ve all asked at some juncture in our romantic histories: What's the point of falling deeply, madly in love with someone who may not be "the one"? The movie's stars are up to the challenge of tackling this heartfelt question (though the supporting cast could have used some shuffling): Deschanel is perfect as Summer -- elusive but earthy, substantive, vulnerable, compelling. In short, the kind of girl to confound. And Gordon-Levitt: All hail the generous-hearted, deep-thinking, cute guy. Finally, he's here.