This is not a love story. This is a story about love.

“This is a story of boy meets girl. But you should know up front, this is not a love story.”

Thus begins (500) Days of Summer (or lose the parenthesis, whatever), definitely one of my favorite films of this year, and possibly ranking among the best up there with my favorite romantic films (and there are only few, so this means a lot).

The movie takes on a non-linear approach to the story of Tom (Levitt) and Summer (Deschanel) - as film critic Roger Ebert said, “Here is a rare movie that begins by telling us how it [the story] will end and is about how the hero has no idea why.”

Tom, the protagonist of the story, is a romantic, with his ideas about love shaped by his “early exposure to movies, music, and pop culture.” He is an aspiring architect but works as a writer of greeting cards, and is pretty damn good at writing them too. Summer, on the other hand (and unfortunately for Tom), doesn’t share his beliefs on love. Sure, she likes him fine, but she’s made it clear that she’s not looking for, nor does she believe in, love. Tom nonetheless continues to pursue her, which comprises the meat of the movie.

(500) Days of Summer isn’t your regular Hollywood romantic comedy. Of the ton of movies I’ve seen, it’s perhaps this one that most realistically portrays love, through the point-of-view of the lovestruck Tom. He doesn’t experience it as logical, or linear, and the film’s style reflects this.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel star in (500) Days of Summer.

The movie starts off with Tom all brokenhearted and depressed (I think we can all guess the reason why). Tom is asked by his friends and his younger sister to “look back” and try to find out what went wrong, and we are taken on a journey into the 500 days that he knew, and loved, Summer Finn, jumping to and fro different points in their relationship, as Tom remembers them.

Over the course of the movie, we see the change in Tom’s perceptions, as his beliefs are shattered by Summer, and as his life crumbles around him. Tom remembers their days as a random series of events and tells his story as such, not linear or chronological, but just as they come along. Viewers might be disoriented by the jumping around in time, but trust me, it shouldn’t be an issue, just relax and “look back” with Tom.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, fresh off his role as Cobra Commander in this year’s G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (who’d have thunk?) plays Tom perfectly - he acts out just the right mix of romantic without coming off as sappy or clingy. Zooey Deschanel shines as Summer (pun not intended), with her lovely eyes and mysterious aura contributing to the image of the perfect woman that Tom sees, despite her character’s backstory being only briefly explored, as the film forces the viewer to see the story through the lens of Tom’s experience.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Tom) and Zooey Deschanel's (Summer) onscreen chemistry is simply amazing.

Two of the things that stood out for me were the music and the humor. The film’s soundtrack is an eclectic mix of tracks, including some from old greats The Smiths and Belle & Sebastian, all contributing to the emotions and scenes being portrayed on the screen. And watch out for Tom’s “musical” number! It’s seemingly out of place (perhaps more fitting with a movie like Disney’s Enchanted, but fitting in perfectly with the movie’s theme.

Next is the humor. The abundance of witty lines and realistic situations, combined with the quirky relationship (and dialogue) of Tom and Summer, create a very natural comedy. The humor wasn’t forced, flowing naturally, making you feel as if you always knew a Tom, or a Summer, or heck, even one of their friends (the supporting cast are solid too!)

The film's music flows nicely with the storytelling.

I guess that’s the best thing about the entire movie - it is about as honest as a film about love can get. The truthfulness with which it portrays Tom’s pining for Summer (think of a more subdued and realistic version of Peter Bretter from Forgetting Sarah Marshall), their relationship, and the effects on Tom’s life, is poignant without being sappy, and funny without being condescending. 500 Days‘ portrayal of love presents it for what it really is, with all its aches and its joys, and reminds us that “next time you look back, I think you should look again.”

And trust me, the payoff at the end is worth it.

As one of the film’s posters declares, and as the opening narration warns, this is not a love story. This is a story about love. Like I said, it isn’t your usual Hollywood fare. Its offbeat humor, quirky dialogue, and unorthodox presentation make for an entertaining movie, and along with a profoundly touching story, make it one of the best romantic comedies I’ve watched.

(500) Days of Summer

What did you think of the movie? Tell us in the comments!