Rom-Com Moments #1

This new series explores moments (a sequence, scene, shot, an image or a dialogue exchange) that capture something memorable about the phenomenon of humans in or out of love. 

Expectations vs. Reality

The sophisticated screenplay for (500) Days of Summer by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber is full of inventive cinematic storytelling ideas, not the least of which is the way its non-linear narrative hopscotches back and forth through time. One of its most best devices, employed late in the show, is the use of a split screen to portray protagonist Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) attending a party at the apartment of his increasingly elusive love object Summer (Zooey Deschanel).

Tom's expectations and his reality play simultaneously, side by side. The sequence (director Marc Webb hewing closely to what's detailed in the script) realizes onscreen a phenomenon that most of us have experienced in real life: having specific expectations for an encounter, only to have reality slowly but surely decimate our fantasies until all that's left is dust and an acute ache of disappointment.

What screenwriters will find especially notable is the use of this sequence in the story: It climaxes in a major plot point. The writers aren't merely being clever, throwing a random neat idea into the mix; they're using their device to deliver a key story development that becomes more emotionally involving because we've been led up to it so imaginatively.

This link will bring you to the sequence. The 2009 movie in toto is well worth a look if you've never had the pleasure.

Comments

[Stephane Guero]

Thanks Billy for reminding us of this stunning use of split screen. Here are others examples of split-screens in rom-coms: Down with love, The rules of attraction, When Harry met Sally, Annie Hall, Pillow talk, Indiscreet…

[mernitman]

Stephane: Great list! I had forgotten about Indiscreet, and always thought Pillow Talk was the first.

[Stephane Guero]

For those who may be interested in watching them, here are the links :
- Down with love:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZqzWQ4Y9-g
- The rules of attraction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4zV0U4wg8A
- When Harry met Sally:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX04tAufdO8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZFsyg-bfY
- Annie Hall:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TONqZBwSXW8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y37wK9fO0E
- Pillow talk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q3VVFhDT4k
- Indiscreet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbOKuP5CNXk
But (500) days of summer’s split screen is probably the most interesting!
Does anyone remember another use of split screen in a rom-com?

[Stephane Guero]

Here is a bonus, a very nice split screen (on Minnie Riperton’s Inside my love) from a very good French rom-com that most of you probably don’t know: Une rencontre (Quantum love) with the gorgeous Sophie Marceau (The world is not enough) and the great François Cluzet (The intouchables): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpiwwBfmZKs

[mernitman]

Stephane: The American title is "A Chance Encounter," and no, I've never seen it. Thanks for the turn on!