500 Days of Summer Explained, Where to Watch the Film?
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Apr 27, 2023
500 Days of Summer Info
500 Days of Summer is a romantic comedy-drama movie released in 2009. It was directed by Marc Webb and written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, and produced by Mark Waters. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, and follows a non-linear narrative structure based on the memories of a failed relationship from the male protagonist's perspective.
Despite being an independent production, it was picked up by Fox Searchlight Pictures and premiered at the 25th Sundance Film Festival to positive critical reviews. The movie was a surprise hit, earning over $60 million worldwide, exceeding its $7.5 million budget. It was widely praised by critics and compared to other critically acclaimed movies such as Annie Hall (1977) and High Fidelity (2000).
The movie won Best Original Screenplay and Best Screenplay awards at the 14th Satellite Awards and 25th Independent Spirit Awards, respectively. It was also nominated for two Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actor – Musical or Comedy (Gordon-Levitt).
500 Days of Summer Explained
Joseph Gordon-Levitt recently spoke about his fond memories of working on (500) Days of Summer, indicating that the movie is beloved not just by fans but also by those who worked on it. This indie film has been popular among rom-com and movie enthusiasts because it defies typical genre tropes and presents a raw and painful portrayal of a failed relationship.
Despite being over 10 years old, the film remains relevant as it resonates with viewers who have gone through a breakup, offering insights into what went wrong and helping them cope with the reality of a relationship ending.
The film's protagonist, Tom, has lofty expectations for his relationship with Summer (Zooey Deschanel) and believes it will last forever. However, his perception of her and their relationship is not grounded in reality.
When Summer unexpectedly breaks up with him, Tom is devastated because he overly romanticized their relationship and didn't truly understand who she was as a person. The film emphasizes that Summer is not a villain and that it's important to recognize that one's perception of another person is not necessarily accurate.
Although grieving after a breakup is natural, the movie portrays Tom's struggle with depression as he navigates life after his relationship with Summer ends. Eventually, Tom learns to let go of his attachment to Summer and finds happiness on his own, without needing to be in a relationship. The film provides a powerful reminder that moving on from a relationship requires letting go of the past and embracing the present.
500 Days of Summer Cast
Cast
Characters
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Tom Hansen
Zooey Deschanel
Summer Finn
Geoffrey Arend
McKenzie
Chloë Grace Moretz
Rachel Hansen
Matthew Gray Gubler
Paul
Clark Gregg
Vance
Key Williams
Tommy Abraham
Patricia Belcher
Millie
Rachel Boston
Alison
Minka Kelly
Autumn
Maile Flanagan
Rhoda
Yvette Nicole Brown
Vance's New Secretary
Olivia Bagg
Young Summer
Richard McGonagle
Narrator
Where to Watch the Film?
The film follows the ups and downs of a romantic relationship between two young office workers. It portrays the journey of love and heartbreak experienced by the couple. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel, and Geoffrey Arend, the film was directed by Marc Webb and falls under the genres of comedy, drama, and romance.
The movie was released in 2009 and is rated PG-13. Additionally, it is available in high definition and can be streamed on Hulu with HBO Max™ for an additional cost of $14.99 per month. For a monthly fee of $12.99, you can access Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN+ services, all of which come with ads.
500 Days of Summer Plot
This is a story about Tom Hansen, an aspiring architect who works as a writer in a greeting card company. One day, he meets Summer Finn, a new co-worker, and they bond over their shared love for music. Despite Summer's initial reluctance, they start a casual relationship and grow closer over time.
Tom's friends and family encourage him to define their relationship, but Summer insists that they should just enjoy their time together. After a few ups and downs, Summer breaks up with Tom, leaving him heartbroken and depressed. He quits his job and spirals into a state of self-destructive behavior.
Months later, Tom sees Summer at a wedding and tries to reconnect with her, only to find out that she's engaged. Devastated once again, Tom realizes that he's been idealizing their relationship and ignoring its flaws. With the help of his younger sister, he starts to move on and focus on his career.
Eventually, Tom meets a woman named Autumn, and they hit it off. The movie ends with Tom and Autumn sharing a coffee together, and the days of summer are replaced by a brighter future.
500 Days of Summer Review
"500 Days of Summer" is a romantic comedy film that revolves around the moments of knowing, not knowing, thinking you know, and not really knowing for sure that you know what you think you know. The movie portrays the lives of Tom and Summer, who are attracted to each other, resist that attraction, finally give into it, seem perfect together, but eventually are not perfect for each other.
Director Marc Webb opts for authenticity over Hollywood formula and blends hopefulness with heartbreak and the magic of love with its mundane realities. The film brilliantly avoids the blame game and portrays the relationship of two people companioned falling in like, maybe falling in love, caring for one another and coming to terms with everything the relationship is, is not and may never be.
The cast's performance, especially Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, is marvelous and brings to life the rich, authentic, honest, and genuine dialogue.
500 Days of Summer Explained - FAQs
The movie was directed by Marc Webb.
The screenplay was written by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel play the lead roles of Tom and Summer, respectively.
It is a romantic comedy-drama film.
The movie is not based on a true story, but it was inspired by the real-life experiences of the film's writers, Neustadter and Weber.