That Summer!
That Summer!

Movie spotlight

That Summer!

1979
Movie
94 min
English

A teenager gets out of reform school and heads to Torquay for a swimming contest, where he meets a pair of young Northern lasses working as hotel chambermaids. However, their fun is interrupted by a gang of Scottish punks who come to cause trouble.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Director: Michael TuchnerGenres: Drama, Family

Plot Summary

This film tells the story of a young boy, Kim, who spends his summer with his aunt and uncle in the Hamptons. He befriends a group of local teenagers, particularly the charismatic and adventurous Jackie. As Kim navigates the complexities of adolescence and friendship, he becomes entangled in the group's reckless behavior and learns valuable lessons about life, love, and responsibility. The summer culminates in a pivotal event that profoundly impacts all of them.

Critical Reception

That Summer! received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its exploration of teenage angst and rebellion to be somewhat superficial. While some acknowledged the performances, particularly from the younger cast, the film's plot and thematic depth were often criticized. Audience reception was also lukewarm, with the film failing to achieve widespread popularity.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film attempts to capture the essence of teenage summer experiences but often falls short.

  • Performances, especially by the young actors, are a highlight, though the script can be predictable.

  • The movie explores themes of freedom and consequence but lacks significant depth.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'That Summer!' are scarce, but general sentiment suggests it's a nostalgic film for those who experienced similar coming-of-age themes in the late 70s. Some viewers appreciated its depiction of youthful freedom and friendship, while others found the plot somewhat dated and unengaging.

Fun Fact

The film was marketed with the tagline: 'For every teenage dream, there's a summer you'll never forget.'

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

“Steve” (Ray Winstone) has been in some bother in his youth and so now discharged by the authorities, he heads to Devon where there is an open water swimming contest. He is working his passage in the local pub whilst training hard and it’s ...