(500) Days of Summer
Fox Searchlight Pictures | Release Date: July 17, 2009
8.1
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 905 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
768
Mixed:
87
Negative:
50
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
AdamC.Aug 3, 2009
I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but I cannot recommend this film simply because the female lead is completely unlikeable. Zooey Deschanel plays an absorbed woman who toys with a guy's emotions as if she is a maestro conducting a symphony. I like Joseph Gordon-Levitt, but I cannot recommend this film simply because the female lead is completely unlikeable. Zooey Deschanel plays an absorbed woman who toys with a guy's emotions as if she is a maestro conducting a symphony. The ending of the movie does not resolve the bitter taste that her character leaves behind. Honestly, I wanted a bus to run her over, gently, of course.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful
5
NateJ.Aug 8, 2009
This movie has some poignant moments that kept me interested, but overall the script and execution is disappointing. The only way it could be considered "original" is if you are comparing it to saccharine, assembly line rom-coms. Almost This movie has some poignant moments that kept me interested, but overall the script and execution is disappointing. The only way it could be considered "original" is if you are comparing it to saccharine, assembly line rom-coms. Almost everything in this movie you've already seen. The quirkiness is forced, the soundtrack is overactive, and the ending predictable. The acting isn't bad, but Zooey is stuck playing a rather unlikeable and two-dimensional character. Overall, not worth seeing in the theater.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful
5
chrisgJan 24, 2010
Zoe D is beginning to be typecast as the mercurial girl-next-door who kept every teen guy at arms length, for no apparent reason. Very beguiling. Levitt is getting better with every film. Best Picture? Not even close. The story jumps around Zoe D is beginning to be typecast as the mercurial girl-next-door who kept every teen guy at arms length, for no apparent reason. Very beguiling. Levitt is getting better with every film. Best Picture? Not even close. The story jumps around with very annoying graphics. Want a similarly themed but great date film that? See "Definitely Maybe."… Expand
1 of 5 users found this helpful
6
MikeBJan 7, 2010
Wow. I expected so much more. Raise your standards critics. You made me spend $6 on a film that was mediocre at best. It tries to hard to be "indie" and comes up corny. If I want drab scenes in Ikea, I'll go there myself and shop for a futon.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
4
JeffAAug 8, 2009
I guess it was pretty good as far as romantic comedies go, which isn't saying a whole lot. Like most self-absorbed female characters in these movies, Zooey Deschanel is generally unlikable. Along with too many coincidental plot fillers, I guess it was pretty good as far as romantic comedies go, which isn't saying a whole lot. Like most self-absorbed female characters in these movies, Zooey Deschanel is generally unlikable. Along with too many coincidental plot fillers, I had problems with too much forced hipsterism: "I love The Smiths." Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a decent hapless emo sweatervest-donning twenty-something. He was about as close to real as this movie gets to romance -- the pathetic, angst ridden worship that plagues obsessive hipsters. I still don't buy the pro's claims that this is a realistic premise, which is completely destroyed by its ultimate hokeyness.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
JohnnyG.Mar 23, 2010
A bit overrated to be honest.Too gimmicky and the characters aren't particularly interesting.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
5
RandalSDec 25, 2009
Whole movie seemed forced and gimmicky. Does not live up to any of the movie it references.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
Khunter4382Jul 26, 2011
This film is unique and well-acted. Gordon-Levitt gives a very good performance here Deschanel is good but there's nothing new when compared to her past roles. Initially, it is difficult to get familiarized with the back and forth nature ofThis film is unique and well-acted. Gordon-Levitt gives a very good performance here Deschanel is good but there's nothing new when compared to her past roles. Initially, it is difficult to get familiarized with the back and forth nature of storytelling, but eventually it settles in. However, in the end, this is just another tedious, dramatic, quirky, love story genre-film that has been unfairly watered down by all of it's cheesy predecessors.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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5
lordjrsJan 6, 2012
I don't know what to think about this movie. The ending was **** sincerely. I don't know if I should laugh or mourn with this movie. Strange, is'n it?
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
jzmeMar 20, 2012
This is such a cute, romantic, sad with an nice ending. Loved both characters. Zoey played such a classic, indie & vintage-kind-of girl which makes her so likable & unique. Gordon, as usual, expressed his emotions well. I like how theirThis is such a cute, romantic, sad with an nice ending. Loved both characters. Zoey played such a classic, indie & vintage-kind-of girl which makes her so likable & unique. Gordon, as usual, expressed his emotions well. I like how their relationship ended mysteriously & the way they depict the number of days to their screenplay.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
KyleSep 7, 2009
I felt this was a relatively boring film. I didn't find any of the characters likeable and it was a disappointment that there wasn't a twist in the plot or a surprise ending. It's a fairly predictible movie. Catch it when it I felt this was a relatively boring film. I didn't find any of the characters likeable and it was a disappointment that there wasn't a twist in the plot or a surprise ending. It's a fairly predictible movie. Catch it when it runs on cable on a rainy day. It's not worth forking out the money to see in the theater.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
EssenceOfSugarJul 22, 2012
Despite the film's best intentions, I didn't think this had potential to reflect on the idea of what love is when it ended. The contrast of blue skies and dark clouds ended in a blurry mess. The film was a little light for my liking,Despite the film's best intentions, I didn't think this had potential to reflect on the idea of what love is when it ended. The contrast of blue skies and dark clouds ended in a blurry mess. The film was a little light for my liking, preferring to not explain the circumstances surrounding what was actually going on between the two main characters. I like both of the actors, but their cute looks gave me more a sense of confusion between seriousness and cheerfulness. Was it supposed to be this confusing, or does this genuinely try and portray complications within a relationship, if you could call what they were going through a relationship? I felt it was quite an arty interpretation, though, with plenty of light-hearted humour. But never ever could this assume that it was trying to preach a message about love, because it wasn't.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
ypomoniJul 5, 2013
Don't get me wrong, I did like the film, but it seemed to me like it was trying too hard to be "indie and cool". It felt like a Hi-Fidelity wannabe (mentioning all the indie cool bands, and adding some great ones to the soundtrack) withoutDon't get me wrong, I did like the film, but it seemed to me like it was trying too hard to be "indie and cool". It felt like a Hi-Fidelity wannabe (mentioning all the indie cool bands, and adding some great ones to the soundtrack) without actually getting there.
The fact that I found Summer extremely annoying and self-centered didn't help either.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is one to look out for in the future he was excellent in this film. He made you sympathise with the plight of his character.
I especially enjoyed the way the film was directed the way it jumped from past to present and back again. It was a good romantic comedy and yet it left me with a feeling that it was lacking a certain something which would have made it suburb.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Meth-dudeMay 17, 2015
With great acting for the lead roles,great story and with a critical success,I expected a lot from this movie.Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschannel are amazing in their role but, the story is not as original and clever as it pretends toWith great acting for the lead roles,great story and with a critical success,I expected a lot from this movie.Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschannel are amazing in their role but, the story is not as original and clever as it pretends to be and the movie is really overrated.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
AliceofXMar 5, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you asked me what this movie was about I would be baffled at what to answer. There is a beginning, middle and end, but the film jumps around the timeline so much that it leaves you confused about what's happening and where you exactly are in the story.

But the biggest problem is that the movie is basically riding on Joseph Gordon-Levitt's charm. He's really good in this role which I can't say about his co-star. I found nothing likable about Zooey Deschanel's character Summer. Through out the film I struggled to understand what Tom saw in her. The movie tries to make her in this There's Something About Mary irresistible type but it really doesn't work. She's a one note character.

And Chloe Grace Moretz was too adult. Usually I like the mature kid character, but her Rachel felt completely unnatural. It's like the character was originally written to be ten years older.

With that out of the way there are a lot of good things to be said about this film. It was funny and had some meaningful things to say. The final scene with Tom and Summer was great and it brought together the film's point and illustrated it perfectly. It would have been a great ending to the film, but then it goes on and in the final scene Tom meets the girl that will, supposedly, be his one true love. The clichéd ending ruins everything the film had been building up to this point. It's just the type of Hollywoodized BS that Tom was deriding earlier in the film.

But overall 500 Days of Summer is a very enjoyable film. I liked it and would still recommend seeing it despite its flaws.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
mellonheadJan 7, 2018
It's got its laughs, but it's not the great film I was expecting. It didn't really leave much of an impression on me at the time, but I did have a few good laughs a few days later. As far as plot, I feel like it's a little thin, the acting isIt's got its laughs, but it's not the great film I was expecting. It didn't really leave much of an impression on me at the time, but I did have a few good laughs a few days later. As far as plot, I feel like it's a little thin, the acting is kind of meh and the results are really underwhelming I'm not a big fan of these types of movies, though.
GRADE: B… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
DawdlingPoetNov 27, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is both a romantic comedy and drama film with very much a quirky feel to it - while it is perhaps most commonly regarded as a romantic film, it isn't really especially 'lovey-dovey' as in a lot of 'chick flicks' and the like. The plot is based very much on the main character (Tom) falling in love with another character, so that hardly breaks any new ground plot wise. There is more emphasis on character development, self introspection, with a lot of self questioning from Tom, plus there are a variety of other characters, some of which provide comedic moments. I quite liked that Summer seemed so certain that 'true love' is a myth - her character is quite cynical and you could say that both characters teach each other things. It sounds and quite frankly is quite cheesy but not in too much of an 'in your face'/over the top rom com stereotyped way. The quirkiness definitely plays in this titles favour, I'd say. I think that both the main characters are fairly easy to relate to, in their own ways.

Cast wise, Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Tom, the somewhat distant and relatively quiet/introverted adolescent, while Zooey Deschanel plays his love interest, Summer. She is portrayed as quite an imaginative, cheery yet understated young woman. They both seem well cast to play quite modern individual characters. Other cast members include Chloe Grace Moretz, Matthew Gray Gubler and Geoffrey Arend.

I liked the soundtrack, which feature some 80s pop hits and is quite jolly. Examples of tracks played include She's Like the Wind by Patrick Swayze, Sugar Town by Lee Hazlewood, You Make My Dreams by Hall and Oates and Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap.

Content wise, this film contains some strong language, one or two instances of mild to moderate violence, scenes with drunken characters and sex references are made throughout, hence its 12 rating.

The film features a fairly quiet narrator who steps in (audibly, not on camera) to add a little bit of background detail to where the relationship or/and characters were at, near the start of certain scenes. I think its fair to say that this is a relatively under stated film, tone wise and I quite liked that as well. For an independent film, its pretty solid - it won't suit, or appeal to, everyone but for what it is, I thought it was quite good - not entirely as predictable as similar films of this genre or type are and with decent main performances.

If I were to criticise it, then the first thing that would come to mind would be the confusing chronology of the plot. It goes to and fro between dates from when Tom first encountered Summer and when things 'hit the rocks' somewhat. The point in this timeline thats covered in the next scene is indicated by what seems like an animated drawing with a day number and a tree thats shown between scenes. It can be a bit confusing, going from dates such as '3' (i.e. day 3 of him knowing of her) to '36' and back to, for example, day '10'. It is a film that could do with a bit of attention being paid to it, to fully follow the plot I suppose. Also, I have to say that there isn't a great amount of 'obvious' comedy - there are a few little pieces and their more of the likely to make you smile to yourself type, rather than loud outbursts of laughter type pieces but thats ok. I feel like there perhaps could have been a chance for more comedy, more witty content possibly?. Having said that, to be fair there is a strong feeling of irony present towards the end of the film, which I quite liked as well.

Yes I'd recommend this film, as I felt it was a good character driven romantic drama/adolescent coming of age type film, of sorts. It is mildly philosophical, it is cheesy and there isn't a massive amount of comedy, only a little bit every while or so which may make you **** but little more but yet I liked this film. It didn't feel especially preachy or completely following the old stereotypes of such rom com type films - it was an easy watch, a fun and interesting watch with a good cast, some good dialogue and I reckon most people who are interested in it, having read the main plot synopsis above, would enjoy it (the only exception being if you can't stand cheesy films or 'rom com' type films at all, although this is less of your usual typical rom com and slightly different, hence the quirky label), hence my recommendation.… Expand
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