As generation X or Y or whatever we've been christened, we have learned our feelings from music, TV and movies. We've been socialized to buy into the neatness and certainty of 30 minute sitcom problem resolutions or worst-case scenario, the dreaded "To Be Continued" cliff hanger.

This is the premise behind (500) Days of Summer, a not-so-indie indie flick. (500) stars Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as philosophically incompatible lovers trying to make it work. In an unconventional shoe's on the other foot reversal, Tom (Gordon-Levitt) wants Hollywood movie love with all its drama and happily ever afters. Summer (Deschanel) plays it cool in her entirely blue-hued wardrobe (which totally enhances her baby blues) refusing to be reined in by the "girlfriend" stigma/title. When the duo first meets it's love at first sight for him and a passing encounter with a co-worker for her. It's odd to see this on screen, yet weirdly familiar as well. We've all sympathized with the sitcom/movie heartthrob or chic/geek sidekick who's been smitten with the girl and fixates on her like some unattainable Olympian goddess, plaguing us with his insecurities and plans of attack and stories of failed attempts at conquering her.

Tom's courtship of Summer provides plenty of entertaining situations. When his drunk pal blurts out to Summer that Tom likes her, Tom denies his boyish crush on Summer like a third grader then sheepishly ponies up the courage to admit it and ask her out. Then there's the saccharine, diabetic-coma-inducing montage of Tom and Summer frolicking through Ikea and role-playing as husband and wife in cutesy home improvement mode. Or my personal fave, Tom's impromptu song and dance sequence after he first hooks up with Summer which, though out of place in an indie rom-com, it was nonetheless as refreshing as a lemon sorbet. Equally enjoyable is the soundtrack which pulls together a sappy mix tape mash-up of mainstream and emo love songs by the Smiths, Regina Spektor, Feist and Hall & Oates.

Then as things start to sour for the duo, we see Tom desperate and mangled by insecurity about Summer's dwindling commitment to "them". Summer inadvertently chips away at Tom's confidence as she describes her former lovers, most notably "the Puma," a monstrously well-endowed Italian fling. As he navigates through the angsty waters of love affair recovery his buddies try to assure him it'll be OK and that he'll get through it. You know: all the sitcom adages we feed our friends to help them get over the love interest and get on with their lives. But Tom is inconsolate and only his wise beyond her years sage of a sister can slake his depression. (Side bar: Newcomer Chloe Moretz, who plays the pre-pubescent younger sister Rachel, is surely destined to be the next Jodi Foster or well-adjusted, less awkward Dakota Fanning). Having grown up in front of the TV, Rachel has her proverbial lines memorized and perspicaciously proffers Tom the advice of a wise Sally Field style sitcom mom well-versed in the inner workings of heartache.

Unfortunately, the movie's conclusion veers disappointingly in the direction of sitcom-style happy endings, rather than defying our expectations. It wraps up the package in an attractive velvet ribbon and attaches an impeccably handwritten note that reads: "To be continued..." But don't let this discourage you from watching the movie as it really is a thoroughly enjoyable voyage.