I was talking to a friend of mine before I went into the film and I was explaining that I am always scared of films that everyone raves about. So I become a bit stand offish when seeing them. If you are into film than you would have heard the great reviews for 500 days. How they say it’s a modern love story and gasp in awe at the performances involved. The have also talked about the brilliantly original directing. Well last night I watched 500 days of summer and it is all true.

Firstly before you step foot into the cinema read the poster this is not a love story but a story about love. In case you forget you are reminded through a solemn fairytale like voiceover followed by the the first scene being the break up of the main couple. Then the fun starts. Joseph Gordon Levitt stars as Tom Hansen. The eternal romantic optimist. His love and eventual heartbreak is Summer played by Zoey Deschanel. The film follows the meeting, break-up and maturing of both characters in the 500 days, hence the title. We see this is no apparent order just a time telling you what day of the 500 it is. Also when we get confused they throw in the narrator to catch you up.

You have heard about the stars so I will talk about them later. Let’s get to the director Marc Webb. Formerly a music video director, who has worked with Green day to Jesse McCartney, he brings to this film a nerdy love of music and foreign film that is so strong that it is almost like a third character in the relationship. He deftly creates great characters and brings out their feelings with spilt screens, straight to camera interviews, cartoons and even a hilarious dance sequence. This helps you understand their current mindset as well as bring you closer to them. For his first feature Marc Webb has created a more user friendly version of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind. Even with the tricks above he shows a honesty in the relationships that are endearing. You will definitely hear more from this guy.

Now let’s talk about the cast. They are a pitch perfect for the world they live in. They are believable as the friends who help poor Tom get through the break-up as well as the ones who encouraged him to take the leap in the first place. His younger sister is great as the all knowing relationship guru even though she's only about 12. Of course he has the rude friend and the friend in the long relationship but they don’t seem stereotyped here. They just belong.

Then there is Summer. Zoey Deschanel is the girl you have seen before with the crazy yet beautiful eyes. She is the carefree friend/Girlfriend who ,thanks to a broken home, does not believe in love and is careless with it. She plays this role almost too well as you will either see her as the villain or just a real person with issues depending most likely on your age. Zoey is a good actress and will most likely have a great career in the Sarah Polley style independent films but as for her co star?? Well he is definitely going the other way.

Joseph Gordon Levitt to me was the long haired goofy guy from Third Rock so when I was told he was getting bigger I shrugged. I had watched his role in GI:Joe and saw that it was fun just not spectacular. Since I had yet to see Brick and The Lookout , I was left scratching my head to all the fuss. This guy will be huge. He has that everyman charisma and coolness that makes the scenes watchable. His screen presence brings the character of Tom Hansen to life and expertly veers away from depressing. He is a damn talented actor and I believe no one could have played this role as well. The whole break-up section of the film would have fallen to annoying if it was in the hands of a lesser actor. My fiancé loves him already as he reminds her of Heath Ledger when he smiles and there is a little brother resemblance to him. Give it a couple of years and he could well be up to that standard in raw power. After some hard roles and losing more of the child like features , this man will be a force to be reckoned with.

This is a film that rang so very true to me based on my past loves as well but even if you haven’t loved someone more than they loved you, you will still watch the film for the honest moments and some laugh out loud funny scenes. That is probably what keeps the film going is it’s funny moments as well as it’s touching ones. They are so well balanced that you never feel too far one way or the other. This is a great film that I thoroughly loved and will definitely watch again. The characters, the music and the directing make this one of those highly original stories of love that I haven’t seen since Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It was one of the most refreshing moments in my Cinefools career to leave the cinema last night and be aware that I have seen the birth of a superstar as well as seen a film that will stay with me for a very long time to come. Definitely see this film. At the very least you will enjoy it.