500 Days of Summer Analysed Opening Sequence

The film starts with a variety of two shots and f the couple sitting on a park bench. It then cuts to the couple’s hands which are placed on top of each another with the woman wearing a wedding ring. During this shot, there is a voice over, stating that it is a story of “boy meets girl”. The ring and hands could suggest that they're happy and engaged. An illustration is then played, with numbers that flick down from 488 to 1, suggesting that we are starting from the beginning, flashing back to the first day. A long shot of the main character is presenting, slowly zooming in on him. The audience now knows that he is the main character as the voice over continues, which then introduces him as “the boy”, and telling the audience his side and his back story. This then leads to a flashback of “the boy”, allowing the audience to connect to him more, as they see into his past. “The girl” is then introduced, and her past in presented to the audience also; here we get a view of her side too making the audience feel like they're both equal. The narration continues through these shots, and before the titling begins, a voice over admits to the audience that despite it is about a boy meeting a girl, it is “not a love story”. This statement leads the audience to believe that the film is not going to end happily, or at least there will be difficulties within the relationship throughout the film. After this statement, the titles begin, and the music changes from gentle flute music to more upbeat pop music. Whilst the titles play, videos play, showing the audience the childhoods of the two characters who are going to be followed throughout the rest of the film.