(500) Days of Summer

(500) Days of Summer 2009

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Plot Summary


On January 8, Tom Hansen, portrayed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, encounters Summer Finn, played by Zooey Deschanel, the new assistant to his boss. Although Tom is trained as an architect, he finds himself working as a writer at a greeting card company located in Los Angeles. Their connection reveals itself as they bond over shared musical tastes during a karaoke night, where their differing beliefs about love become apparent—Tom is a romantic, while Summer remains skeptical.

In a drunken moment, Tom’s co-worker McKenzie inadvertently discloses Tom’s feelings for Summer, which Tom brushes off as mere friendship, a sentiment Summer echoes. However, after a few days, Summer unexpectedly kisses Tom in the office. As the months pass, their relationship deepens. Tom introduces Summer to his favorite spot in the city: a park bench that offers a view of buildings he adores, though they are partially overshadowed by parking lots.

However, as their romance evolves, both Tom’s friends and his young half-sister, Rachel, voiced by Chloë Grace Moretz, encourage him to seek clarity in their relationship. Summer, however, deflects, maintaining that happiness is what matters most to them. A night out leads to a heated argument when Tom confronts a man hitting on Summer at a bar. Although they reconcile, Summer acknowledges his desire for certainty is unrealistic.

On day 290, while spending time at a cafe, Tom longs to return to Summer’s place, but she suggests watching The Graduate, which unexpectedly reduces her to tears at the end—a moment that surprises Tom, who had always viewed it as a romantic fairy tale. During a trip to a record store, Summer seems preoccupied, signaling a shift in her feelings. Their farewell kiss hints at a deeper disconnect, culminating in Summer breaking up with Tom while they wait for their food, sending him spiraling into depression.

After Summer resigns from the greeting card company, Tom’s melancholic state leads his boss to transfer him to the consolation department. In a misguided attempt to move on, Tom goes on a blind date with Alison, but he spends the night lamenting over Summer, frustrating Alison, who ultimately sides with Summer.

Several months later, Tom attends the wedding of a co-worker, attempting to dodge Summer but failing when she approaches him for coffee. They share a pleasant time at the wedding, dance together, and Summer even catches the bouquet. When she invites him to a party at her apartment, Tom hopes to reignite their romance but is devastated to notice her engagement ring during the night, prompting him to leave in tears.

Tom withdraws into deeper despair, only facing the world to drown his sorrows in alcohol and fast food. A few days later, after a hangover, he returns to work and, during an emotional breakdown, quits his job. Rachel tries to console him, stating that Summer was never meant to be “the one,” and his current bleak outlook stems from an overly nostalgic perspective of their relationship.

One day, however, Tom finds a renewed sense of purpose. He channels his energy back into architecture, the very field where Summer had pushed him to excel. He creates a list of architectural firms he aspires to join, curates a portfolio, and begins attending interviews. On day 488, at his beloved spot in the city, Summer unexpectedly awaits him. Their conversation reveals her marriage, which she explains stemmed from certainty—a contrast to her feelings for Tom. She reassures him that he was correct about true love, but it simply wasn’t meant to be with her. Their exchange ends on a bittersweet note as she expresses gladness for his progress, and he genuinely wishes her happiness as she walks away.

Twelve days later, on Wednesday, May 23, during a job interview, Tom meets a girl applying for the same position. Their shared favorite spot and mutual disdain for the parking lots ignite a connection. Though she initially declines his invite for coffee, she quickly reconsidered, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Tom as he encounters Autumn.

Timeline


Tom Meets Summer

On January 8, Tom Hansen first encounters Summer Finn, the new assistant at his workplace. This meeting marks the beginning of a complex relationship shaped by their contrasting views on love and romance.

January 8 Los Angeles

Karaoke Night Connection

During a karaoke night, Tom and Summer bond over their shared taste in music. This night serves as a catalyst for their budding relationship, highlighting Tom's romantic nature and Summer's skepticism about love.

Karaoke Bar

Unexpected Office Kiss

After days of mingling, Summer surprises Tom with an unexpected kiss in the office. While both still grapple with their feelings, this moment signifies a shift in their relationship.

Office

Tom's Favorite Spot

As their relationship deepens, Tom takes Summer to his favorite park bench, which offers a view of architecture he admires. This moment represents Tom's desire to share parts of his life with Summer.

Park Bench

Friends and Family's Concern

Tom's friends and young half-sister Rachel express concerns about his relationship with Summer. They urge him to seek clarity, sensing a growing tension between Tom's romantic expectations and Summer's more carefree perspective on happiness.

Heated Argument at the Bar

A night out turns sour when Tom confronts a man who is hitting on Summer, leading to a heated argument. Though they reconcile afterward, Summer points out that Tom's desire for certainty in their relationship is unrealistic.

Bar

Tearful Movie Experience

One day at a cafe, they decide to watch *The Graduate*, but Summer unexpectedly breaks down in tears at the end. This moment surprises Tom, as he had always viewed the film as a romantic fairy tale, highlighting their differing emotional responses.

Day 290 Cafe

Summer's Breakup

While waiting for their food, Summer ends their relationship, leaving Tom devastated. This moment marks a significant turning point, as he spirals into depression after losing what he believed was true love.

Restaurant

Tom's Blind Date

Desperate to move on, Tom goes on a blind date with Alison but finds himself lamenting over Summer. His emotional state frustrates Alison, who ultimately sides with Summer regarding their broken relationship.

Wedding Encounter with Summer

Tom attends a co-worker's wedding, attempting to avoid Summer but ultimately failing when she approaches him for coffee. A pleasant interaction ensues, with moments of nostalgia, but a looming sense of heartbreak remains.

Wedding

Devastating Realization

During Summer's party, Tom sees her engagement ring, leading to an emotional breakdown. This realization forces him to confront the finality of their relationship, prompting him to leave the party in tears.

Summer's Apartment

Tom's Downward Spiral

After their breakup, Tom sinks into deeper despair, using alcohol and fast food as coping mechanisms. This unhealthy lifestyle culminates in an emotional breakdown at work, leading him to quit his job.

Workplace

Renewed Purpose in Architecture

After a period of introspection, Tom finds renewed motivation in architecture, the field where Summer had encouraged him to excel. He begins taking steps to pursue his career, creating a portfolio and preparing for interviews.

Final Encounter with Summer

On day 488, Tom coincidentally meets Summer at his favorite spot. Their conversation reveals her marriage, which she explains stems from the certainty she craved, leaving Tom with bittersweet closure on their relationship.

Day 488 Favorite Spot

New Beginnings with Autumn

Twelve days later, during a job interview, Tom meets a girl named Autumn. Their immediate connection, coupled with shared interests, hints at the potential for a new, healthier relationship to blossom.

Wednesday, May 23

Characters


Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt)

Tom is an earnest and idealistic young man struggling to understand love and relationships. As an aspiring architect, he faces frustration and heartache when his romantic hopes are dashed, but he ultimately grows through his experiences and learns to embrace new opportunities.

💼 Architect 💖 Romantic 😔 Heartbroken

Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel)

Summer is a free-spirited and independent woman who challenges conventional notions of love. Her enigmatic personality and skepticism about relationships create a compelling contrast to Tom's romantic ideals, driving the narrative's exploration of differing perspectives on love.

🌸 Independent 🥀 Skeptical

Rachel (Chloë Grace Moretz)

Rachel is Tom's supportive younger half-sister who provides candid advice and insight into his tumultuous emotional state. Her perspective adds depth to the narrative, suggesting that sometimes, clarity and acceptance come from those closest to us.

👧 Supportive 🤔 Insightful

Setting


Time period

Modern Day

Set in contemporary times, the film explores modern relationships and the complexities of love through the lens of youthful idealism and skepticism. The characters navigate the challenges of personal growth against the backdrop of a fast-paced urban environment.

Location

Los Angeles

Los Angeles, often known as the entertainment capital of the world, is a sprawling city renowned for its diverse culture and vibrant arts scene. Famous for its iconic architecture and landmarks, it provides a backdrop of urban landscapes that reflect both dreams and realities, making it a fitting setting for stories about love and self-discovery.

🌆 City 🏙️ Urban

Themes


💔

Love vs. Reality

The film intricately explores the dichotomy between romantic ideals and the harsh truths of relationships. Tom embodies the romantic perspective, while Summer represents a more pragmatic approach, highlighting the complexities of love and the importance of embracing reality over fantasy.

🌱

Personal Growth

A significant theme is Tom's journey of personal development following his heartbreak. The narrative emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and resilience, suggesting that despite loss, one can find purpose and move forward in life.

💡

Fate and Timing

The film examines the role of fate and timing in relationships. Tom and Summer's connection illustrates how timing can affect emotional bonds, underscoring that not all love stories are meant to last but can still lead to important life lessons.

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