Love is just a piece of time in the world.

I think there's a certain type of dude who's into that quirky girl in movies - the Zooey Deschanels, the Natalie Portmans. I've got nothing against these guys or their objects of affection. I think there's something far more disconcerting about men that are into Megan Fox over the quirky girls. However, in a similar vein, these guys may just be holding the bar a little high for finding these perfectly weird girls in real life.

I remember when Garden State came out, and all of a sudden Natalie Portman's character was every one of my close guy friend's dreamgirl. Because she was all indie with headphones and when she got sad it was cute.

I saw 500 Days of Summer this weekend with Jesse, and I can see why some guys want to see this movie for all the camera love bestowed upon Zooey. However, it also kind of demystifies and breaks down all the quirky girlness and extricates (literally in a split-screen) the expectations from the reality. Your perfect girl is not perfect, your perfect dude is not perfect. And like the tagline reads, the movie is not a love story - it's a story about love.

I really enjoyed 500 Days, and not only because it kind of shows that a person's dreamed-up ideal may not be as amazing as you would think, but because it extends those thoughts of reality through to relationships and love. The story revolves around the specific relationship between Tom and Summer, but there was enough there to recognize similarities in my own past or present ones. There was something specifically mentioned in the end, in which Jesse and I turned to each other and kind of smiled. That part was true, at least for us.

The movie could be a little heartwrenching at times, but it was mostly funny. As much as it reminds you of the crap parts of relationships, it also reminds you of the good stuff. The feeling of a mutual smile or thought, the feeling of requiting a crush, or the feeling of keeping a good moment always (see also: "Everlong" by The Foo Fighters).

Can I also say that I loved Joseph Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel? Capital performances - perfectly captured each of their characters. I envision big things for Levitt; he's known for 3rd Rock from the Sun, but has been showing up in all these little indie movies like Brick, and each time his abilities shine through. And I've always loved Zooey, since she played The Enemy's big sister in Almost Famous. Perfectly cast here.

All in all, a refreshing movie that takes some fun risks with the writing and directing. And like those quirky girls, not perfect, but love to watch just the same.