

Movie spotlight
Stolen Summer
Pete, an eight-year-old Catholic boy growing up in the suburbs of Chicago in the mid-1970s, attends Catholic school, where as classes let out for the summer, he's admonished by a nun to follow the path of the Lord, and not that of the Devil. Perhaps taking this message a bit too seriously, Pete decides it's his goal for the summer to help someone get into heaven - by trying to convert a Jew to Catholicism.
Insights
Plot Summary
In 1970s South Boston, a young Irish Catholic boy named Pete O'Brian befriends a Jewish boy named Danny, whose family is going through a difficult time. Pete decides to help Danny's family by secretly taking a job to earn money, but his actions lead to a series of misunderstandings and betrayals that test their friendship and reveal deeper prejudices within their community.
Critical Reception
Stolen Summer received a mixed to negative reception from critics, with many finding its plot overly sentimental and predictable. While some praised the performances, particularly from the younger cast, the film was often criticized for its heavy-handed exploration of themes like religious prejudice and friendship. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with the film failing to make a significant commercial impact.
What Reviewers Say
The film's exploration of prejudice is heavy-handed and lacks subtlety.
While the cast delivers earnest performances, the storyline is predictable and overly sentimental.
The movie attempts to tackle serious themes but ultimately falls short due to a weak script and execution.
Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be a somewhat disappointing drama, with many appreciating the attempt to address themes of friendship and prejudice but feeling it was too melodramatic and lacked depth. Some viewers found the story to be overly simplistic and predictable.
Fun Fact
The film was one of the first major studio productions filmed entirely in Spokane, Washington, with the city standing in for 1970s South Boston.
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