Best Summer Ever

Last updated
Best Summer Ever
Directed byMichael Parks Randa
Lauren Smitelli
Written byWill Halby
Terra Mackintosh
Andrew Pilkington
Michael Parks Randa
Lauren Smitelli
Produced byTerra Mackintosh
Andrew Pilkington
Leah Romond
Jake Sharpless
Katie White
Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal
Peter Sarsgaard
Benjamin Bratt
CinematographyChris Westlund
Edited bySam Adelman
Frank Snider
Michael Parks Randa
Music byJamie Lawrence
MuMu
Peter Halby
Production
company
Distributed by Freestyle Digital Media
Release date
  • October 2020 (2020-10)(Martha's Vineyard)
Running time
78 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Best Summer Ever is a 2020 American musical film directed by Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli and featuring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard and Benjamin Bratt. Gyllenhaal and Sarsgaard, along with Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, Jamie Lee Curtis, Amy Brenneman, and Dominique Dauwe served as executive producers. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

The film begins with aspiring dancer Tony Michaels practicing for a dance at Lakeview Dance Camp. As the camp season comes to an end, he and his girlfriend, Sage, bid each other farewell, but not before she gives him sunflower seeds to plant in a special place. Tony gives her his eagle necklace to remember him by. However, Tony, who is actually a high school football player, is burdened by the responsibility of winning the upcoming Homecoming game for his coach, who is also his father figure, as well as his school. Sage is constantly on the move with her two mothers, Kate and Gillian, who work as drug dealers selling medicinal marijuana. Tony plants his seeds in a memorial for his late parents.

Sage dreams of settling down in a new home and aspires for a normal life. After her family's trailer breaks down when they head for a new spot to sell marijuana, Sage senses a golden opportunity to get an education at Mount Abe High School. When she arrives, Sage is greeted by Nancy, a bubbly cheerleader who becomes her friend. Unfortunately, Beth, the conniving captain of the cheerleading squad, hears of Sage's arrival after trying to seduce Tony to become her Homecoming King. Beth taunts Sage for her Vermont heritage, but Sage tells Nancy and the other girls at school of her summer with Tony, who tells his fellow jocks of his special time with Sage.

Unfortunately, Beth, realizing that Sage and Tony know each other and jealous of Tony's relationship with her, devises a scheme that involves driving a wedge between the two lovers. Beth injures Nancy by deliberately fracturing her arm and lies to Sage that Nancy was killed in an accident so Sage can take her place at the cheerleading pep rally. Meanwhile, Cody, the school quarterback who holds a grudge against Tony for taking his spot as the football star, swipes Tony's phone and hands it to Beth.

At the pep rally, Beth humiliates Sage in front of the whole school. The jocks run in, and Sage realizes that Tony is actually the football star. Outside the gym, Beth blackmails Tony to join her for Homecoming, threatening to put photos of him dancing on blast if he doesn't comply. Later, Tony confesses to Sage that he was lying to her to get through the summer to cope with his reputation and he has to win Homecoming, which his school hasn't done in twenty-five years. Crushed, Sage leaves the school and vents her frustrations. She fakes sick to stay home, but reluctantly goes back under her mother Kate's encouragement.

Tony asks Sage for another chance and takes her to the tool shed in his backyard, telling her that his coach became his father figure after his parents passed away, football isn't the only thing he's passionate about, and he's afraid of being honest with his coach. Sage tells Tony of her family's drug dealing and that they're trying to steer clear of the law before showing him her flower garden. As Homecoming approaches, Sage prepares Tony for a dance, while at school, the latter and the athletes prepare for the Homecoming game. Meanwhile, Beth uses Cody's phone to track down Sage, discovering the marijuana her family is growing.

At school, Coach confiscates Tony's phone after catching him looking at a video of Sage. He hands it back and reminds Tony that winning Homecoming is his responsibility. That night, Tony proposes that he and Sage run off together.

The next day, Tony runs into Beth, who threatens to post the photos she took of the weed if he doesn't go along with her offer. Not wanting to turn Sage over to the police, Tony takes Beth's side. Later, Coach, having discovered that Tony went to Lakeview for the summer, reprimands him for doing so. Tony argues with him over his chosen future and attempts to kick the ball, but ends up starting a fight instead. Tony runs into town to vent his frustrations, then discovers that Sage had torn up her garden, giving him an idea.

At school, on Homecoming Day, Beth calls the police to report Sage's family's drug dealing to get her arrested, but Sage throws her cell phone into the toilet out of revenge. When she gets home, Officer Gorinsky, the town cop, goes in to investigate Sage's family's cannabis farming. Kate and Gillian arrive, and Gorinsky discovers the garden but is fooled. As Sage discovers, Tony has switched the weed with sunflowers from his parents' memorial, leaving two to honor them. All the while, Tony's big brother Kevin shows Coach a video of Tony as a kid celebrating his late mother's birthday, which is why he dreamed of becoming a dancer.

As the Homecoming game begins, Sage and Tony reunite and go to Mount Abe so Tony can win for the school. Unfortunately, Beth confronts Sage in the hallway, preparing to trap her, but Nancy comes to her rescue and pummels Beth, giving Sage enough time to get to Homecoming. Just when it seems that the Mount Abe Eagles are losing, Tony arrives in time to pull off the dance he and Sage were working on before reconciling with his coach and winning the game. Afterwards, the whole high school comes together to celebrate the Homecoming win, with Sage and Tony finally achieving their dreams.

Cast

Musical numbers

Best Summer Ever consists of eight original songs, written by Mumu and Peter Halby. The score was composed by Jamie Lawrence. [3]

No.TitlePerformer(s)Length
1."Best Summer Ever"Shannon Devido, Rickey Wilson Jr. & The Zeno Ensemble3:33
2."Roll Your Path"Holly Palmer, Eileen Grubba & Shannon Devido1:39
3."Beyond Glory (Score)"Jamie Lawrence1:08
4."More Than Worth the Wait"Mumu, Shannon Devido, The Zeno Ensemble, Rickey Wilson Jr. & Jacob Waltuck3:48
5."The Necklace (Score)"Jamie Lawrence1:25
6."The G"Mumu & Jacob Waltuck3:44
7."Leave Behind"Shannon Devido2:31
8."One Last Chance"Mumu, Holly Palmer, Rickey Wilson Jr., Jacob Waltuck, Eileen Grubba, Emily Kranking, Aj Murray, Bradford Haynes, Shannon Devido & The Zeno Ensemble3:21
9."Ready to Ride Dream Sequence (Score)"Jamie Lawerence1:29
10."Ready to Ride"Rickey Wilson Jr. & Zeno Ensemble2:56
11."Final Victory (Score)"Jamie Lawrence1:20
12."Homecoming"Rickey Wilson Jr., Shannon Devido, Zeno Ensemble, Mumu, Jacob Waltuck, Eileen Grubba, Holly Palmer, Emily Kranking, Aj Murray & Bradford Haynes3:20
13."Closing Credits"Zeno Ensemble2:05
14."Battle Cry (Bonus Track) [Explicit]"Mumu3:12
15."Better Without You (Bonus Track)"Mumu3:49
Total length:39:26

Release

The film premiered at the Martha's Vineyard Drive-In in October 2020. [4] The film was shown online at the 2020 South by Southwest festival and was named an official selection at the 2021 SXSW festival as well, winning the special jury and screenwriting awards. [4] In March 2021, it was announced that Freestyle Digital Media acquired North American distribution rights to the film. [5] It was released on DVD and digital platforms on April 27, 2021. [6]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 89% of 19 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10. [7]

Calum Marsh of The New York Times selected the film as a Critic's Pick and wrote, "This is the kind of movie that vibrates with the energy of the people who made it, whose enthusiasm radiates from the screen. The actors and filmmakers seemed to have had an extremely good time bringing 'Best Summer Ever' to life. Watching it made me happy." [8]

Leslie Felperin of The Hollywood Reporter also gave the film a positive review and wrote, "...it's hard not to get swept up in the cast and crew's joyful insouciance. Plus, the cheeky showtunes, co-written by onscreen villain MuMu and executive producer Peter Halby, are a hoot." [2]

Joe Leydon of Variety gave the film a positive review, calling it "an irresistibly appealing musical comedy brimming with inclusivity and exuberance." [1]

David Oliver of USA Today gave the film a positive review, writing "Imagine a world where people with disabilities didn't have to talk about their disabilities. A world where they're just people...'Best Summer Ever' is a feel-good musical and a big win for disability inclusion." [9] USA Today also named it as one of their ten favorite movies at SXSW 2021. [10]

Kristen Lopez of IndieWire graded the film a B and wrote, "By not acknowledging differences, Best Summer Ever takes a generic premise and makes it feel spunky and fresh. [11]

Leslie Combemale of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists also gave the film a positive review and wrote, "Both realistic and aspirational, Best Summer Ever is the sort of movie that may be fun and frothy, but it's also needed in order for bigger studio films to consider more inclusive casting." [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Sinatra</span> American singer (born 1940)

Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer. She is the elder daughter of Frank Sinatra and Nancy Sinatra and is known for her 1965 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maggie Gyllenhaal</span> American actress and filmmaker (born 1977)

Margalit Ruth "Maggie" Gyllenhaal is an American actress and filmmaker. Part of the Gyllenhaal family, she is the daughter of filmmakers Stephen Gyllenhaal and Naomi Achs, and the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Gyllenhaal</span> American actor (born 1980)

Jacob Benjamin Gyllenhaal is an American actor. Born into the Gyllenhaal family, he is the son of director Stephen Gyllenhaal and screenwriter Naomi Foner, and the younger brother of actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. He began acting as a child, making his acting debut in City Slickers (1991), followed by roles in his father's films A Dangerous Woman (1993) and Homegrown (1998). His breakthrough roles were as Homer Hickam in October Sky (1999) and as a psychologically troubled teenager in Donnie Darko (2001).

<i>How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying</i> (musical) 1961 musical by Frank Loesser, Abe Burrows, Jack Harlow, and Willie Gilbert

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is a 1961 musical by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead's 1952 book of the same name. The story concerns young, ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch, who, with the help of the book How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, rises from window washer to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megan Mullally</span> American actress (born 1958)

Megan Mullally is an American actress, singer, and comedian. She is best known for playing Karen Walker in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace, for which she received eight Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning twice, in 2000 and 2006. She also received nominations for numerous other accolades for her portrayal, including seven consecutive Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, winning three times, in 2001, 2002, and 2003, as well as receiving four Golden Globe Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Sarsgaard</span> American actor (born 1971)

John Peter Sarsgaard is an American actor. He studied at the Actors Studio, before rising to prominence playing atypical and sometimes villainous roles in film and television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeanine Tesori</span> American composer and musical arranger (born 1961)

Jeanine Tesori, known earlier in her career as Jeanine Levenson, is an American composer and musical arranger best known for her work in the theater. She is the most prolific and honored female theatrical composer in history, with five Broadway musicals and six Tony Award nominations. She won the 1999 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music in a Play for Nicholas Hytner's production of Twelfth Night at Lincoln Center, the 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music for Caroline, or Change, the 2015 Tony Award for Best Original Score for Fun Home, making them the first female writing team to win that award, and the 2023 Tony Award for Best Original Score for Kimberly Akimbo. She was named a Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist twice for Fun Home and Soft Power.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Uggams</span> American actress and singer (born 1943)

Leslie Marian Uggams is an American actress and singer. Beginning her career as a child in the early 1950s, Uggams is recognized for portraying Kizzy Reynolds in the television miniseries Roots (1977), earning Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations for her performance. She had earlier been highly acclaimed for the Broadway musical Hallelujah, Baby!, winning a Theatre World Award in 1967 and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1968. Later in her career, Uggams received renewed notice with appearances as Blind Al in the superhero films Deadpool (2016) and its 2018 sequel ; as Leah Walker on the Fox musical drama series Empire (2016–2020); as Agnes Ellison in the comedy-drama film American Fiction (2023); and as Betty Pearson in the Amazon Original post-apocalyptic drama series Fallout (2024), based on the video game of the same name.

<i>Can-Can</i> (musical) Musical by Cole Porter

Can-Can is a musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and a book by Abe Burrows. The story concerns the showgirls of the Montmartre dance halls during the 1890s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Annaleigh Ashford</span> American actress, singer, and dancer (born 1985)

Annaleigh Amanda Ashford is an American actress, singer, and dancer. Her early roles on Broadway include in the musicals Wicked (2007), Legally Blonde (2007), and Hair (2010). She received the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for playing Essie Carmichael in You Can't Take It With You (2014–2015). Her other Tony-nominated roles include Lauren in Kinky Boots (2013) and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023). She also starred in the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George (2017).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Urdang</span> American film producer and theatre executive

Leslie R. Urdang Tenney is an American film producer and theatre executive.

<i>Fun Home</i> (musical) Musical adapted by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori

Fun Home is a musical theatre adaptation of Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir of the same name, with music by Jeanine Tesori, and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The story concerns Bechdel's discovery of her own lesbian sexuality, her relationship with her closeted gay father, and her attempts to unlock the mysteries surrounding his life. It is told in a series of non-linear vignettes connected by narration provided by the adult Alison character.

<i>Spider-Man: Homecoming</i> 2017 Marvel Studios film

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a 2017 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man, co-produced by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. It is the second Spider-Man film reboot and the 16th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Jon Watts from a screenplay by the writing teams of Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, Watts and Christopher Ford, and Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Tom Holland stars as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, alongside Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau, Gwyneth Paltrow, Zendaya, Donald Glover, Jacob Batalon, Laura Harrier, Tony Revolori, Bokeem Woodbine, Tyne Daly, Marisa Tomei, and Robert Downey Jr. In the film, Peter Parker tries to balance high school life with being Spider-Man while facing the Vulture (Keaton).

<i>Nocturnal Animals</i> 2016 American drama film directed by Tom Ford

Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 American neo-noir psychological thriller film written, produced, and directed by Tom Ford in his second feature, based on the 1993 novel Tony and Susan by Austin Wright. The film stars Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Laura Linney, Andrea Riseborough, and Michael Sheen. The plot follows an art gallery owner as she reads the new novel written by her first husband and begins to see the similarities between it and their former relationship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zeno Mountain Farm</span> Organization

Zeno Mountain Farm is a non-profit, year round organization that hosts camps for people with and without disabilities. The flagship camp of Zeno Mountain Farm is held in Bristol, Vermont, during July. Satellite camps are held in Los Angeles and Jensen Beach. In total the camp is in session for 120 days a year. Each camp session has a specific goal ranging from putting on a play to participating in athletic events. The camp is run entirely by donations and volunteers, allowing for all campers to attend without cost. Recently the organization has produced films projects utilizing people with disabilities both on-screen and behind the scenes, including the feature Best Summer Ever, which premiered at the 2020 South by Southwest Film Festival.

<i>Spider-Man: Far From Home</i> 2019 Marvel Studios film

Spider-Man: Far From Home is a 2019 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man, co-produced by Columbia Pictures and Marvel Studios, and distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing. It is the sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and the 23rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Jon Watts, written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and stars Tom Holland as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, and Jake Gyllenhaal. In the film, Parker is recruited by Nick Fury (Jackson) and Mysterio (Gyllenhaal) to face the Elementals while he is on a school trip to Europe.

<i>The Guilty</i> (2018 film) Film by Gustav Möller

The Guilty is a 2018 Danish crime thriller film written by Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen and directed by Möller in his directorial debut. It premiered in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition section of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, and was later selected as the Danish submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards, making the December shortlist.

<i>West Side Story</i> (2021 film) 2021 film by Steven Spielberg

West Side Story is a 2021 American musical romantic drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay by Tony Kushner. The second feature-length adaptation of the 1957 stage musical of the same name, it stars Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in her film debut with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, and Rita Moreno in supporting roles. Moreno, who starred in the 1961 film adaptation, also served as an executive producer alongside Kushner. The film features music composed by Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

<i>The Lost Daughter</i> (film) 2021 film by Maggie Gyllenhaal

The Lost Daughter is a 2021 psychological drama film written and directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, based on the 2006 novel of the same name by Elena Ferrante. The film stars Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Dagmara Domińczyk, Jack Farthing, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ed Harris. Colman also served as an executive producer.

<i>The Guilty</i> (2021 film) American crime thriller by Antoine Fuqua

The Guilty is a 2021 American crime thriller film directed and produced by Antoine Fuqua, from a screenplay by Nic Pizzolatto. A remake of the 2018 Danish film of the same name, the film stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Christina Vidal, with the voices of Ethan Hawke, Riley Keough, Eli Goree, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Paul Dano, and Peter Sarsgaard.

References

  1. 1 2 Leydon, Joe (April 29, 2021). "'Best Summer Ever' Review: An Irresistibly Appealing Musical Comedy Brimming with Inclusivity and Exuberance". Variety. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Felperin, Leslie (March 24, 2021). "'Best Summer Ever': Film Review; SXSW 2021". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  3. "Best Summer Ever". Amazon.
  4. 1 2 Hufstader, Louisa (April 19, 2021). "Jabberwocky-Linked Musical Released for Streaming". Vineyard Gazette. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  5. Vlessing, Etan (March 19, 2021). "Maggie Gyllenhaal's 'Best Summer Ever' Musical Lands at Freestyle Digital Media". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  6. Magee, Ny (March 19, 2021). "'Best Summer Ever' musical acquired by Freestyle Digital Media". TheGrio. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  7. "Best Summer Ever". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  8. Marsh, Calum (27 April 2021). "'Best Summer Ever' Review: Not Just Another Song and Dance". The New York Times.
  9. Oliver, David (April 27, 2021). "'Best Summer Ever' is a feel-good musical and a big win for disability inclusion". USA Today .
  10. Truitt, Brian (March 21, 2021). "10 best movies we saw at South by Southwest, ranked (Including jury winner 'The Fallout')". USA Today .
  11. Lopez, Kristen (April 27, 2021). "'Best Summer Ever' Review: Song, Dance, and Disability Delight in Heart-Warming Musical". IndieWire. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  12. Combemale, Leslie (March 31, 2021). "BEST SUMMER EVER (SXSW21) – Review by Leslie Combemale". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. Retrieved September 10, 2021.