Beliefs collide when Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Hewitt) meets the titular Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel) and they tentatively begin a romance. With Shakespeare and The Smiths mixed in, this love story blends a certain amount of classic love stories with some newer influences, but considering that it's told in a non-linear, hopscotch order bouncing from day to day within the five hundred days, this is reasonably original. Tom believes in true love (even love at first sight) and Summer doesn't believe that such a thing exists or is even necessary, at least initially. Opposites attract, sure, but can they maintain a sustainable relationship?

Supported by a cast of characters that includes Paul (Matthew Gray Gubler of Criminal Minds), McKenzie (Geoffrey Arends,) and the hilariously funny little sister Rachel (Chloe Moretz), Gordon-Levitt's Tom narrates the rise and fall of Rome, er, their relationship. Seriously, though, the movie is completely driven by the absolute straight-laced nonchalance of Deschanel's Summer. Like two kids in a candy store, the two actors saunter, skip, and dance their way through a relationship in its ebb and flow. Consider how they play the part racing through the home decor store, and reflect on the way that two people in love are blinded by the lights of each other.

In the end, the movie becomes a romantic debate on love: What is real love? What makes it work? How can two people stay in love with other, or can they? And Tom doesn't get a whole lot of help from his support group with what "love" really is. But it's something Shakespearean (only they consummate their love) and yet it's also akin to When Harry Met Sally. Deschanel's Summer is basically daring Tom that men and women can't be friends, while his Hallmarkish architect-turned-greeting card writer (think cheesier than Adam Sandler in Mr. Deeds) is sucked into the vortex. Given that this is based on some guy's poor heart being broken, you have to sort of consider how funny it is, but seriously: what you put into a relationship is what you get out of it.

(500) Days of Summer shows how hard Tom falls, and how quickly Summer can bounce back. Isn't that one of the perils of falling in love? Both people don't have to be at the same place—they can even switch places—and it's clear that this is more infatuation, more sex, than love. Having written that, I guess it's about time that I say this: love is a relationship that must include God. You can love someone and not have them love you back; you can love them and not receive anything in return; but to love, you have to be willing to sacrifice everything to see them succeed, thrive, and live. So, after you've seen it, ask yourself: Is there true love here from Tom to Summer? Or is this just a foolish experiment that ends painfully? Or must you know loss to know love at all?

Either way, both Tom and Summer get what they want—Summer gets the "right" guy and Tom gets the "pursuit." And seriously, after you watch this film, you know they could've never stayed together.