Kings of Summer (2013)
Why live when you can rule and rule they did, my thoughts and emotions, long after the closing credits. I’m talking about Kings of Summer: the official selection of Sundance 2013.
This is a gem of a movie and is easily one of my favorite coming of age comedies. With a young cast from popular TV shows and seasoned comedic actors in supporting roles, each character was memorable with his/her own eccentricities shining through with brilliant acting across the board.
The story starts off with Joe Toy’s constant struggle at home with his over bearing father Frank Toy. Joe’s best friend Patrick Keenan on the hand, is the only child and is smothered by his quirky parents affections to the extent of giving him hives.
After a game night that goes awry with police called in and an end of school drinking binge being unceremoniously cut short, the friends are grounded and decide on putting their stamp of independence by moving out to a secret spot in the local woods. To complete this motley crew, is a bizarre kid named Biaggio, who tags along to build a not too shabby house in the woods.
The trio free from all adult supervision have a merry old time in the woods, exploring, making pacts, and making do with some modern conveniences like store bought chicken from Boston Market.
The complications and true coming of age experiences arise when, Joe Toy invites his crush Kelly to a house warming party and lets just say, his romantic ambitions don’t really come to fruition.
Following a fall out of friends, Joe Toy being left alone in his house and an unwelcome snake creeping into it, tests of friendships and family abound with Joe figuring out while in hospital, that love is sometimes unrequited, true friends literally will take a bullet or a snake bite for you and that being independent men( or women) mean taking everything life throws at you on the chin, making one all the wiser and stronger for it.
This movie has it all, a moment of pure heartbreak, suspense and laugh out loud scenes most of which are courtesy of Biaggio.
I have to also comment on the cinematography which is absolutely beautiful with scenes of golden fields, looking at the sun through spread fingers, the rushing waters of the stream and an excellent complimentary soundtrack including the aforementioned MGMT – Youth. The comedic timing is right on the spot with the young cast more than holding their own in this Sundance featurette.
This is a definite must see if you want to reminisce teenage amours and adventures to get a kick of nostalgia in our grown up lives.
Rating: 7.5/10
Pics: courtesy of http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2179116/
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