Summertime
Summertime

Movie spotlight

Summertime

2021
Movie
95 min
English

Over the course of a hot summer day in Los Angeles, the lives of 25 young Angelinos intersect. A skating guitarist, a tagger, two wannabe rappers, an exasperated fast-food worker, a limo driver—they all weave in and out of each other's stories. Through poetry they express life, love, heartache, family, home, and fear. One of them just wants to find someplace that still serves good cheeseburgers.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes89%
Metacritic73/100
Google Users89%
Director: Carlos López EstradaGenres: Drama, Music, Coming-of-Age

Plot Summary

Shot over three days in Los Angeles, 'Summertime' is a vibrant musical drama that follows a group of 25 young, mostly non-professional actors as they navigate their lives, relationships, and dreams over the course of a single summer day. The film is comprised of spoken-word poetry, rap, and song, weaving together their individual stories into a tapestry of urban youth culture. It captures the essence of burgeoning adulthood, exploring themes of identity, ambition, and connection within the diverse landscape of the city.

Critical Reception

Summertime received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its unique approach to storytelling through poetry and music, and its authentic portrayal of young voices. While some found the episodic nature to be uneven, many lauded its fresh perspective and the raw energy of its ensemble cast. Audiences appreciated its genuine feel and the celebration of diverse experiences.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its innovative use of spoken word and music to tell a multifaceted story.

  • Applauded for its authentic and vibrant portrayal of contemporary youth culture and diverse experiences.

  • Noted for the raw energy and charisma of its large ensemble cast of young performers.

Google audience: Google users largely appreciated 'Summertime' for its refreshing and authentic portrayal of young people, with many highlighting the unique musical and poetic elements. The film's diverse cast and the relatable themes of navigating life and relationships resonated well with audiences, leading to a high approval rating.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film features 25 actors, each contributing their own original poetry and songs, many of whom were discovered through open casting calls and had no prior professional acting experience.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

Louisa Moore - S...

In 2018, the film world was introduced to exciting new director Carlos López Estrada and his best-of-the-year movie, “Blindspotting.” Expectations for filmmakers as talented as Estrada can feel insurmountable, but “Summertime,” his sophomor...