Available today on DVD is an ideal summer film appropriately titled The Perfect Summer. The film stars Eric Roberts and American Idol alumni Jason Castro (aka – the kid with the dreadlocks who did a fabulous rendition of “Amazing Grace”).
The reason why I think this is a great summer movie is because it’s a “feel good” movie with positive messages and it takes place on a beach.
Jake (Adam Horner) lived with his mother Alyssa (Sydney Penny) in Chicago. Although fatherless, Jake seemed content with his life. That is until his mother decided she wanted to start a new life in a small surfing town, the same town where her estranged father lives.
It comes to no surprise that Jake has a difficult time getting adjusted to his new life in a new town. He doesn’t fit it. Most of the teens his age are into surfing. Coming from Chicago Jake doesn’t know a thing about surfing.
Reminiscent of Karate Kid, Jake finds himself getting bullied by a local boy name Tyler (JD Banks). To make matters worse, Tyler is afraid that Jake is making moves on his love interest, a fellow surfer named Kayla (Katie Garfield).
Jake does make friends with a local surf shop owner, Cody (Jason Castro). Cody let’s Jake in on a secret (of sorts) – his grandfather (Eric Roberts) is a surf legend. Jake hasn’t yet established much of a relationship with his grandfather so he never knew this about him.
Wanting to fit in Jake asks his grandfather to teach him how to surf. Jake feels like it’s the only way to fit in and not feel like an outcast.
Will Jake succeed in learning how to surf? Will the local bully finally get off his back? And what about Jake’s family’s relationships (Jake and his grandfather, his grandfather and his mother)? Will the family finally find a way to connect, and re-connect, with one another? To find out you need to pick up a copy of The Perfect Summer, now available on DVD.
I would expect to see this film on Hallmark Channel-like channels. It’s a great family movie that can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Not only that it teaches some great life lessons.
I was surprised by Jason Castro. The boy really can act. He might not win any Academy Awards, but he certainly can act well. I’m surprised he hasn’t been seen in other films, although I hope he doesn’t get typecast as a surfer dude all the time.
The movie was a bit predictable. I couldn’t help but think of similar stories where new boy moves to town and gets bullied and crushes on a popular girl. Movies like Karate Kid, Footloose and My Bodyguard come to mind. Means Girls is also a similar movie.
Overall I enjoyed the film. If you have the opportunity to watch the movie or pick up the DVD it’s worth watching.
Here is the film’s trailer for your entertainment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.
sandy weinstein says
i used to love eric roberts, has very talented daughter bu not really like his sis, never thought she was very pretty. liked her in the beginning. never saw this movie but not really interested b/c thought the theme was very similar to other movies.