Summer Storm
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.94 You Save: $10.00 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Summer Storm
Movie Review: The Quiet Before, The Turbulence Of, and The Aftermath Following a Storm
Summary: 4 Stars
Teenage hormones are at peak level in this nice little German film 'Sommersturm' or 'Summer Storm' and the result is a set of mini-crises that tumble young people all the time: first sexual attraction, the ambiguity of close friendships, the trials and lessons of first sexual encounters, and the manner in which teenagers survive their sexual decisions amongst their peers.
Director Marco Kreuzpaintner and writer (with Thomas Bahmann) set this attractive coming of age film on the playing field of crewing, a sport that demands full attention and intense cooperation from every team mate. Two teams from Bavaria, one of boys and the other of girls, take off for a summer camp training session where they encounter another crew from Berlin, a crew that just happens to be composed of gay young boys. The Bavarian boys' crew team is lead by two long-term friends - Tobi (Robert Stadlober) and Achim (Kostja Ullmann) - and while their friendship is strong, Tobi is discovering that his feelings for Achim go far deeper. The two share stories about their girlfriends - Anke (and beautiful Alicja Bachleda-Curus) and Sandra (Miriam Morgenstern) who head the girl's crew team. At the summer camp Tobi's feelings for Achim deepen and the influence of the team of very handsome young gay boys on the opposing team only serve to heighten the tension. Tobi eventually has an encounter with a particularly tender and understanding Leo (Marlon Kittel) and as the questions begin to arise a violent storm makes the entire group flee for cover. The manner in which Tobi comes out to his team and to Achim is the very tender dénouement of the story. The storm raging in Tobi (as well as in other members of the team) settles into the aftermath.
Some viewers may find this film too explicit for general viewing but for this viewer the encounters all around remain tasteful and touching. The director seems to be telling us that the 'first experience', whether that is gay or straight, is or can be traumatic as well as fulfilling. The cast does well: there are many very beautiful young boys and girls who play their roles with a natural simplicity and allure. For a young director (only 29 years old and this is his fifth film) Kreutzpainter seems to have a solid future. Grady Harp, September 06
Movie Review: Storm Clouds of the Mind
Summary: 4 Stars
This film was significant in Germany because Robert Stadlober is a popular young actor and band member there whose coming out in the character of Tobi was unsettling. Certainly Kostja Ullmann as Achim, his buddy and secret love, is cute enough to win many hearts. And his pretend love interest, Alicja Bachleda-Curus as Anke, is sweet and beautiful enough to convince nearly anyone that being gay is NOT a lifestyle choice.
When another rowing team bold enough to call themselves the QueerStrokes (which actually exists) shows up, Tobi gets to see the spectrum of gay characters, from manly Malte to effeminate Nils; and Marlon Kittel as Leo sure takes in an eyeful of Tobi as he bides his time. Seeking refuge from a raging storm (and from an increasingly stormy relationship with Achim) in a closed hostel building brings some closer together, and drives others apart.
There isn't much new for American audiences in that there have been a number of equally well done coming out films here, but Summer Storm rings true because it is at least partly autobiographical for director and writer Marco Kreuzpaintner, and Stadtlober and Ullmann certainly have chemistry together to spare as mates. In fact the whole crew seemed to be having a really good time.
The film ends with Tobi arriving home from the summer rowing camp a changed boy. Stepping off the bus and facing his front door his stern look changes to a faint smile. A small touch, but a reason Robert Stadtlober has won awards, and why the film will win acclaim.
Movie Review: Overall Good Film
Summary: 4 Stars
I wanted to give this film a lower score but could not because it was well directed. The acting was well done. The cinematogrophy was well done. The music was decent. And for a gay film, that is incredible. The story was well done too but I felt the main character got off easy at times and there were some contrived situations as another poster stated.
It is a good coming out flick in some areas. And the acting and direction, etc, has a lot to do with it. But really, I think in a real world situation, the main character would be ostracized for how he acted with no feeling of remorse. Maybe it's a cultural thing.
SPOILERS * SPOILERS * SPOILERS
My problems were with how Tobi acted. He was like an immature child AND everybody seemed to feed into that. Tobi needed to apologize to several people and own up to what he did. He needed to say sorry to: his team and the gay team for starting the fight, to Anke for leading her on and telling lies about their relationship (and he should be in gratitude for her not outing him and being a good friend), to the gay dude who he slept with because he led him on as well and hurt him (and that gay dude was just too giving, but I get it, wounded bird syndrome), to his best friend for so many things.
Just because you're having problems coming out does not give one a free pass to be a child and basically a douche.
Movie Review: A common thread
Summary: 4 Stars
German or American, gay or straight, the sexually charged adolescence is usually a confusing time. This is a story about first love and coming of age. Set near a tranquil lakeside, several high school rowing teams get ready for an upcoming competition. The coxswain Tobi grapples with his growing feelings for his best friend, Achim, while juggling his part as a "straight" teenager with a girlfriend, Anke. Tobi's fear of rejection, tender feelings that are so characteristic of a first love and his futile masquerade as a straight teen through a series of not so honorable manipulations, all culminate before the imminent summer storm...
The acting, storyline and character development are above average. The movie really shines in its cinematic presentation. It's beautifully shot in a bucolic setting. The soundtrack features many songs in English. Except the words "cool" and "queer" spoken a few times with a strong German accent, the entire movie is in German. You may have to rely on the English subtitles, which I thought were well translated. I think this movie is worth your 98 minutes.
Movie Review: Coming out to your German rowing team is tough, Man.
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall a nice story about a young man in Germany coming to terms with his homosexuality and how it affects his relationships with his best friend and the rest of his rowing (crew) team, as they compete for a trophy at a summer camp-out. I found some of the situations to be a little contrived and unrealistic, such as when the girl who likes him shows up on a quilt in a field right where and when he chose to run after his first gay intimate encounter with a member of a gay crew club. How could she possibly know he would run right to her? Also, why does his erstwhile best friend decide to get intimate with his girl for the first time in the middle of a violent night-time thunderstorm in the woods, after the team has just fishished a search for a missing team member? There are also some continuity problems, and just when you think the movie has ended there's a cutsie tacked-on post-script. But, some good acting and some very emotionally raw and real-feeling scenes among a great young cast make this movie worth a look.