Summerland

Name: Summerland
Genre: Drama, Romance, War
Released: July 31, 2020
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Amanda Lawrence, Amanda Root, David Horovitch, Dixie Egerickx, Dominic McGreevy

2020

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Ratings

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Summerland: Remarkable

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Movie Details & Credits

IFC Films | Release Date (Streaming): July 31, 2020 | NR

Starring: Amanda Lawrence, Amanda Root, David Horovitch, Dixie Egerickx, Dominic McGreevy, Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jessica Gunning, Lucas Bond, Penelope Wilton, Sally Scott, Siân Phillips, Tom Courtenay

Summary: Alice is a reclusive writer, resigned to a solitary life on the seaside cliffs of Southern England while World War II rages across the channel. When she opens her front door one day to find she’s to adopt a young London evacuee named Frank, she’s resistant. It’s not long, however, before the two realize they have more in common in theirAlice is a reclusive writer, resigned to a solitary life on the seaside cliffs of Southern England while World War II rages across the channel. When she opens her front door one day to find she’s to adopt a young London evacuee named Frank, she’s resistant. It’s not long, however, before the two realize they have more in common in their pasts than Alice had assumed. [IFC Films]… Expand

Director: Jessica Swale

Genre(s): Drama, Romance, War

Rating: NR

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

Katie Walsh

Jul 29, 2020

It's a refreshing spin on this type of film that's usually quite white and heteronormative. Read full review

Empire Pamela Hutchinson

Jul 28, 2020

Arterton triumphs again and Swale marks herself as a director to watch. Summerland successfully combines an intelligent feminist fable and a lesbian love story with a slick period tearjerker. Read full review

IndieWire Kate Erbland

Jul 30, 2020

While much of what Swale has crafted here is familiar, the film’s loving tone and Arterton’s compelling performance recommend it, and the result is a warm drama never afraid of a little magic. Read full review

The Guardian Leslie Felperin

Jul 30, 2020

Strong on lush cinematography, period knitwear and sincerity, but less effective in terms of historical plausibility, the mostly second world war-set drama Summerland is a mixed bag – a blend of fizzy sherbet lemons and humbug. Read full review

Movie Nation Roger Moore

Aug 2, 2020

It’s not period detail that lets Summerland down. It’s not moving beyond the story’s naturally watchable qualities (cast, setting, period) to give us a film that ever feels it doesn’t need one contrived situation after another just to stagger to its feet. Not that it ever moves those feet once it does, mind you. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

Jul 29, 2020

The main appeal of Summerland, a considerable one, is that it allows Gemma Arterton to hold the screen for a nearly unbroken 90 minutes. It showcases her in a variety of modes and moods and provide some huge acting moments that make us recognize that, somewhere along the line, Arterton has become a powerhouse. Read full review

Jake Cole

Jul 27, 2020

Throughout, the film’s characters exhibit little life outside of their moments of tragedy and symbolic connections. Read full review

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User Reviews

Porter11

Aug 6, 2020

Heartwarming and delightful. Summerland provides us the diversity that we all wish to see while telling a beautiful tale about love and hardships.

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walkerlister04

Aug 5, 2020

A beautiful story. Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and the young actor, Lucas Bond all shine in the film.

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Shuliita5

Aug 5, 2020

Beautiful in every possible aspect. What an actress is Gemma!Best of 2020 so far in this category.

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DawdlingPoet

Apr 18, 2022

It's hard to say much about this film without giving away potential spoilers but I really liked it overall. Its not what it initially seems. It was surprisingly poignant, that's all I'll say. There are some twists present and I didn't see them all coming. It's not as 'fluffy' as it mayIt's hard to say much about this film without giving away potential spoilers but I really liked it overall. Its not what it initially seems. It was surprisingly poignant, that's all I'll say. There are some twists present and I didn't see them all coming. It's not as 'fluffy' as it may appear - well in one way it is but not in another. I'd recommend this film to anyone unsure about whether to see it, as there's more substance to it than first seems.… Expand

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