Movie: (500) Days Of Summer

(500) Days Of Summer is all about falling for someone that never really commits and yet being surprised when you are finally dumped. In one way or another we have all been there (go on, admit it!), which makes this fairly 'realistic' portrayal all the more engaging.

The lead actors are also a big draw; Zooey Deschanel (girl crush alert!) and Joseph Gordon-Levitt are very convincing as a couple who are almost perfect for each other. Deschanel plays Summer and as you may guess from the movie title, she is the main focus of the movie as we go through the course of her relationship with Tom (Gordon-Levitt), all from his point of view.

Gordon-Levitt was the kid in Third Rock From The Sun, and you will probably spend the first few minutes of the film feeling surprised at how tall he grew up to be...anyway back to the plot.

Summer seems like the type of girl who is way out of Tom's league, but when she turns up as the new girl in his office he can't help but be instantly smitten. Summer is the ultimate unattainable girl, she is girlfriend material - but the problem is she doesn't have any desire to enter into an exclusive relationship. However, for a Smiths fan who meets a girl who sings to him "To die by your side is such a heavenly way to die", this is a hard fact to accept.

Deschanel is very good at playing a woman who you like and dislike at the same time, the exact emotions that Tom's character is feeling throughout this flick. When you fall for someone it is only natural to replay the events in your mind and that is what we go through with Tom. What makes it different to the usual romcom is that it is smart, with a cool soundtrack and sophisticated, yet funny, cultural references.

First time director, Marc Webb has done a fine job of conveying Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber's slick script. It is a satisfying film, the non linear editing gives it an edgier feel, but there is still a feel-good factor running through.

I will be very interested to see what Webb does after this and hope that Zooey Deschanel doesn't get pigeon-holed into 'girlfriend' roles. This film isn't going to change the world, but it is cool to see a movie that plays with romcom conventions and gets you thinking.

(500) Days Of Summer is out now - check out the Odeon website for screening times and watch the trailer below!