Something Like Summer (2017) Reviews

• Disappointing

  trflock2017-09-17

  I have read all of the books in Jay Bell's "Seasons" series. Because of this, I was really looking forward to this movie. In full disclosure, this is probably why I was so disappointed. A few things: First, Something Like Summer the book was absolutely amazing. However, the film left out so much and I can't help but think that, in part, this was because so much time was spent on the musical aspect of the film. The music was trite, boring, and awkward. It also seemed like it just showed up out of nowhere (e.g., "gee, I don't know how to end this scene, so let's throw in a poorly written and performed song about gay teenage angst). Second, the characters, costumes and scenery all seemed fake. The whole ambiance of the film seemed like a white upper-middle-class version of gayness rooted in stereotypes. Finally, I was not pleased with the character of Ben. You know how when you read a book you create an image of the character in your head? Well, whoever played Ben was not it. Of course, the fact that Ben kept breaking into song didn't help anything. Though not pleased with Ben, the depiction of Tim was spot on :) I will end with this: if you are a fan of the book, watch the film. However, be prepared for less emotional attachment, excitement, and satisfaction.

• This movie tried to be a lot of things and failed at every single one of them

  AyanaH2017-09-12

  This movie gave me a lot of feelings and not one of them was positive. The two hours (six because I kept pausing to vent) I spent watching this were an exercise in frustration. This should not have been two hours long. It doesn't have enough substance to warrant that length. Full disclosure: my main source of irritation with this film stems from the lead character, and I'll admit that it's in large part due to the actor. None of the acting in this film is stellar but his was the weakest for me(except for act II where Tim suddenly starts talking like Mr. Darcy in P&P). Needless to say that I didn't like Ben; found him completely un-rootable. We're meant to sympathize with him, admire his courage at being out in high school while living in a conservative town, but I couldn't muster even that. This is supposed to be a story about growth, which visits the main pair at 3 different points in their lives, but while Tim did change/grow, I felt like Ben stayed the same. As the "good" one of the two, I guess that we're supposed to look at it as Tim "growing" to get to Ben's level of self-acceptance, which he did, but Ben is a flawed, inherently selfish character who could've done with considerable growth himself and unfortunately we didn't get to see that. It took me a while to put my finger on it but this felt like one of those films that's intended to be a vehicle to launch an actor's career, to show how special and talented he is. Or one of those self-indulgent ones where the director/writer also assigns himself a lead role regardless of his ability to act. Mulligans comes to mind, probably because I watched that recently. But even that guy, with his two facial expressions and monotone voice, didn't annoy me this much. I wasn't aware going in that this was also a musical so the first time Ben burst into song, I was taken aback. It was hard to take his performances seriously, however, since every time he did the scene "froze" yet you could see the other actors struggling not to move and blinking rapidly. It was very distracting. Also, while Ben/Grant can indeed sing, I wasn't fond of his voice and I don't think the songs accomplished what the director intended. Long story short, I personally would not recommend this film. By halfway through, I didn't care whether the two ended up together or not. I actually felt like Tim could do better but then I decided maybe it was best that they be together to save anyone else the misery of having to date them. The fact that someone literally had to die for them to come together in the end just cemented my dislike of the film, especially since that person was perhaps the nicest and most likable character in the film.

• Something like "As The World Turns"

  Suradit2017-12-03

  An attractive, likable cast made it all bearable and, at times, enjoyable, but most of the twists and turns in the story were predictable, derivative and tedious. There also seemed to be numerous, awkward moments when, out of nowhere, a musical number was inserted in a startling, cringe worthy way. Rather than enhancing the story line, most of them were intrusive, barely relevant and uncomfortable. While the whole movie was creeping over the line into soap opera territory, the final twist & turn removed all doubt. It is probably still worth watching, but by the end you may be asking yourself, "what the hell just happened."

• Slightly disappointing

  hobojoint2017-09-12

  I have read all of the something like books and was naturally excited to see the movie was coming out and waited what seemed to be an eternity to see it. Sadly to say I shouldn't have waited. This movie failed to incorporate any kind of value from the book. I felt disconnected and had i not read the book, would have been totally lost as nothing is connected coherently. The movie reminds me of some kid show with a bunch of preppy guys out a catalog and no clear purpose. The movie also failed to display any kind of intimacy or emotionality expected in this work. And what is with all the singing?? I literally skipped through it as it was long drawn out and irrelevant. Overall I would have to rate this movie as a failure. Giving 4 for effort. David Santos, call me.

• Rollercoaster ride but not in a good way

  jaredvent2018-01-22

  You know how most gay themed movies are depressing as hell because for some unknown reason production companies apparently insist on having antagonists in the story? Well this movie goes above and beyond to make those companies happy. It's like someone took two different movies with depressing endings and mashed them up together to make this emo monstrosity. The acting is good, the random bursts of songs in the movie are well sung but is a bit distracting and the story is far too rushed because they tried to fit too much in a 2 hr movie. I hope more movies follow the model set by recent movies like 'Call me by your name' and deliver some laid back LGBTQ+ movies with cheerful endings.