Summerland was not the film I thought it would be, and in a sense, I can imagine a film like this not working for everyone. There is a gentle sentimentality to its atmosphere, it’s stakes are largely minimal and generic, and certain plot developments, especially towards the end, feel like they were ripped right out of a soap opera. However, I very quickly found myself invested in its story, thoroughly charmed by its characters, and comforted by the film’s easy going and breezy nature. The fact that it seems like such an unassuming little film allowed it catch me completely off-guard, and it’s an experience I would highly recommend, if you like these kinds of movies.
The basic setup is that we follow a reclusive writer, Alice Lamb (Gemma Arterton), who lives in a cottage near a quaint seaside English town in the 1940s. She’s quite the curmudgeon, and often finds herself screaming at some of the local kids. Although, in her defense, they often play cruel pranks on her, and occasionally call her a witch, or even a Nazi spy. Things suddenly take a turn when she is given a young evacuee from London, Frank (Lucas Bond), to take care of. His father is a pilot, and his mother is working in part of the war effort. Naturally, Alice isn’t happy about this development.
However, she wasn’t always a grump. Through the film, we see some flashbacks that give some context, which shows her relationship and growing romance with Vera (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) during their time at university. They would go out, party, have fun, spend some quiet time together. But differences in desire for their future caused Vera to leave, leading Alice to become the cold and bitter woman we came to know. Alice does change her tune, if just a tiny bit, as she begins to develop a bond with Frank.
Gemma Arterton is terrific as always. You can tell she’s having a blast being this bitter lady, especially in moments like one towards the beginning where it seemed like Alice was doing something kind for once, and paying for a chocolate candy at the store that a little girl wanted, but then snatching it away, and walking right out the store while she revels in the cries of the girl. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is sadly not in this as much as one would like, but whenever she is present, she brings an incredible sense of warmth and emotional vulnerability. And Lucas Bond totally holds his own acting opposite Arterton. Their chemistry is great, and their dynamic gives the film something solid to become invested in.
Where the story eventually goes, and the manner of which it explores these characters and their journeys could easily come off too schmaltzy had it not been for a filmmaker with just the right touch. Writer/director, Jessica Swale, makes her feature debut here, having previously done a couple shorts, and plays. She brings a sensibility to the proceedings that has a balance of whimsy and reality, which lets her indulge in some of the tropey elements, but presenting them in a way that is more understated than you would expect. It’s a really delicate tonal tightrope walk she pulls here, and one that could have easily fallen apart, especially in that final act, but she pulls it off incredibly well. And on a pure filmmaking level, it’s beautifully made, capturing life in the small town with lovely little details, impressive landscapes, set designs, and costumes.
If there are any drawbacks to Summerland, they are very minor. I found it a bit odd that the film never once mentions the dynamic between Alice and Vera from a racial perspective. Some of the musings about Summerland almost implies an element of borderline magical realism that the film doesn’t totally payoff, which felt like a bit of a missed opportunity. And the motivational implications behind the big reveal in the final act is a bit problematic if you really think about it. But when it was all said and done, I was just in it, I felt immersed in this world, I felt the emotions of the characters so deeply, and I was totally in for the ride. It’s broad and emotionally driven flourishes are done with so much earnestness and a firm grasp of the humanity behind these characters. I came in, thinking it was going to be some kind of straightforward period romance movie, but I got something else entirely, and instead what I got was an experience that left me with so much joy and hope. Few films this year have left me feeling as good as this one, as if my soul was cleansed or something. It’s definitely one I recommend checking out, especially if you want a pleasant escape.
Summerland is available in select theaters and VOD platforms.