"Movie Sounds!" is a feature introducing recommended soundtracks to FASHION HEADLINE readers. Our third installment features "500 Days of Summer."



Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who works at a greeting card company in Los Angeles, develops feelings for Summer (Zooey Deschanel), who has just started working as a secretary. The story follows the 500 days after they meet, but rather than depicting their events in chronological order, the film jumps back and forth between them. At times, Tom's feelings are buoyed by his newly blossoming love, while at other times he becomes depressed when things don't go as planned. This film explores the expectations and realities of Tom's romantic love in detail. The moment Tom suddenly feels a sense of destiny with Summer is when she hears music leaking from his headphones and responds by saying, "I like The Smiths, too." "You're a fan, too?" Tom exclaims, excitedly, "No way!", further strengthening his feelings for Summer. If the person you're interested in knows your favorite music and also likes it, it's inevitable that you'll fall in love with them. This is how Tom becomes more and more obsessed with Summer.

Since this story is told from Tom's perspective, we only see Summer from her perspective. However, at a company party, Tom's friend, drunk, asks Summer, "Do you have a boyfriend?" We get a glimpse into her way of thinking. Summer replies, "No," and "I don't want one." Even though the friend is drunk, he makes some pretty rude remarks, but it's cool how she confidently answers without showing any signs of annoyance. Summer's views are very modern: "Am I against women's freedom and independence?" "I don't want to be in a relationship. In fact, the idea of being someone's property is the worst." "I want to be myself." Summer's understated, girly style is also a highlight. Her classic blue dress and smart, casual office wear are sure to inspire you to emulate her style.

At the beginning of the story, the narrator disclaims, "This is a story of a man and a woman meeting, but it's not a love story." This narration is included as the first track on the soundtrack, and the other songs are arranged in the same order as they appear in the film, allowing you to enjoy the atmosphere of the film intact on the soundtrack. Particularly memorable is the musical scene that expresses Tom's emotions after sleeping with Summer for the first time. The scene, in which the entire town celebrates Tom to the tune of Daryl Hall and John Oates' "You Make My Dreams," with even the fountain and birds singing his praises, is refreshing and uplifting.