Hopeless romantic Tom Hansen (Gordon-Levitt) is working at a greeting card company when he meets Summer Finn (Deschanel), the boss’ new assistant, and it is love at first sight - for him, at least. Although cynical Summer doesn’t believe in love, Tom is soon convinced she is The One, in part, based on their mutual love of The Smiths. As they spend more time together and become closer, Summer makes it clear she doesn’t want anything serious, which Tom agrees too, secretly thinking she’ll start to think otherwise.

While on paper, this may seem like your average rom-com, in reality the film is far more than that. Clever and inventive, (500)
Days of Summer charts Tom and Summer’s year-and-a-half long relationship in an unique way, not least for it being presented non-chronologically. The film is unpredictable and refreshing, and is actually funny as well as sweet.

Although it contains most of the elements of typical romantic comedy, the film rises above the sum of its parts with its sharp, delightful script (including a wonderfully dry narrator) and talented cast. Zooey Deschanel is enchanting as Summer, but it’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s understated performance that is truly captivating, as he keeps us rooting for Tom to get what he wants, even when we already know what’s to come. Throw in the energetic soundtrack, and what you get is a film that manages to put a smile on your face through both the highs and lows of the relationship, and is, through it all, wonderfully fun.