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Summerland

mv5bn2izndi4zjqtmdiwyy00mjcwlthjmtityzc0zgvjzthjnzazxkeyxkfqcgdeqxvymte1mzi2nziz-_v1_ux182_cr00182268_al_SUMMERLAND: 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 their pasts than Alice had assumed. Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Tom Courtenay star in this intensely emotional story of love’s endurance in trying times.

Director: Jessica Swale

Cast:Gemma Arterton (PRINCE OF PERSIA), Gugu Mbathta-Raw (BELLE), Penelope Wilton (THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL), Lucas Bond (SUSU), Dixie Egerickx (THE SECRET GARDEN), Amanda Root (THE IRON LADY), Jessica Gunning (PRIDE), David Horvitch (THE YOUNG VICTORIA), Tom Courtenay (45 YEARS)

PG thematic content, some suggestive comments, language, and smoking | 1h 39min | Drama, War | 31 July 2020

 Review: I absolutely adored this little film from writer/director Jessica Swale. SUMMERLAND is a beautiful snapshot of what it means to open your heart to others and what incredible things give birth when you do. The movie smiles a lot which gives the film a light tone even in the midst of the drama. Lovable characters and organic dialogue help ground the story and engage the audience.

The film starts as we meet Alice (Penelope Wilton) later in life. She is engrossed in her writings and can’t be interrupted. Quickly we flashback to WWII where our story takes place and we find the younger Alice (Gemma Arterton) hunkered down over her typewriter with the same intensity. She is bit of an anomaly in her little town. She doesn’t engage much with others and the younger kids have created many stories about her. Is she a witch? Maybe a spy? She has little time for pleasantries but at the same time you sense that she has a heart; just one closed off. When she is tasked with taking in young Frank (Lucas Bond), a war refugee from London, she is far from happy.

It was pleasing to watch the relationship between Alice and Frank unfold. Children are truly resilient and Frank never backs down no matter how hard Alice tries to push him away. I think he could see through her armor and knew that he could penetrate it with a charming smile. It is in the middle of war time and both are struggling with loss and pain. The comfort they find in each other is real and tangible. There is no doubt they need each other but it takes opening up to experience the healing.

The sleepy little seaside town is a whimsical backdrop for the characters to play in. Frank finds a friend in schoolmate Edie (Dixie Egerickx) Their adventures and conversations are an added treat. The film is rated PG and a fantastic option for adults to watch together as an inside date night or with their teens. Kids under 12 may get a bit bored with the drama. I was pleasantly surprised but this film. Time dictates that I often have to pick and choose what I take time to watch. I am so glad I opted for this gem.

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