gordon-levitt played a lead role opposite to friend zooey deschanel in "500 days of summer", a well-received 2009 release about the deconstruction of a relationship. his performance, described as "the real key" to what makes the film work, credits him with using "his usual spell in subtle gradations." "variety"s todd mccarthy praised his performance, saying he "expressively alternates between enthusiasm and forlorn disappointment in the manner jack lemmon could". peter travers of "rolling stone" said the movie "hits you like a blast of pure romantic oxygen" and credited both lead actors for playing "it for real, with a grasp of subtlety and feeling that goes beyond the call of breezy duty." he was subsequently nominated for a golden globe award.