Summerland – A Simple And Unchallenging Melodrama

Every once in a while. all that some audiences need is a little melodrama to pass the time. Summerland is the latest film that is sure to satisfy that craving.

Summerland tells the story of Alice (Arterton), a reclusive writer living on the seaside cliffs of Southern England during World War II. One day she is set to take in a young boy named Frank (Lucas Bond), who’s been evacuated from London. Alice is resistant at first, but soon enough the two form a strong bond and connect. Alice opens up to the kid, and remembers her relationship with Vera (Raw), a woman who left her to become a mother.

At the end of the day. Summerland is not a groundbreaking film by any means but rather a simple and straightforward one. While it is well done for the most part, it’s never overtly done either. The film is also not a stylized film which only worked in its favor. The simplicity of its storytelling improves the experience. The grounded tone allows audiences to focus on what are intended to be its biggest draws, the actors and the script.

Summerland is yet another example of the classic story of two seemingly polar opposite characters, at least at the start, inevitably overcoming their differences and coming together by the end. The effectiveness of this familiar story thread relies mostly on the shoulders of Arterton and Bond as Alice and Vera respectively and thankfully, they both deliver. Their chemistry is the film’s biggest asset and Swale explores their interactions with delicacy and intelligence. There is a beautiful moment when Alice and Frank talk about her love life and her attraction to women. It’s a simple scene, but Arterton builds the tension of this revelation very carefully. She came to care about this boy, and she wants his approval. It’s a great moment, and Arterton’s performance was impressive. Meanwhile, Bond was certainly up to the task as Frank while holding his own alongside Arterton. The young actor makes a good impression in his time here, and he has a great chemistry not only with Arterton but also with Dixie Egerickx, his friend Edie.

On the other hand, the script doesn’t always deliver. Some scenes are a bit formulaic or just too plain, especially the dialogue, which could have used some polishing. Summerland features one final surprise, a make or break revelation, and its effectiveness relies mostly on the audience’s openness to it. It could feel forced to some, but it also ties the story together. Those looking for an emotional experience will surely find it particularly effective.

At the end of the day, Summerland was never going to be a transformative cinematic experience but as it stands, is still a nice melodrama for those who seek an emotional tale.

still courtesy of levelFilm

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