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... (Full plot summary below)
Enjoy FREE movies and series with your Prime (USA) subscription or when you start a 30-day free trial!
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.
Leave your thoughts about Summerland.
| Chicago TribuneKatie WalshIt's a refreshing spin on this type of film that's usually quite white and heteronormative. |
| The Associated PressLindsey BahrThe charms of Summerland aren’t in its plot. They’re in the sentiment, which is too good-hearted to be cynical about, and the characters. |
| EmpirePamela HutchinsonArterton 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. |
| The Observer (UK)Mark KermodeWhat a lovely, hopeful and rather magical movie this is. |
| IndieWireKate ErblandWhile 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. |
| Paste MagazineAndrew CrumpArterton’s at a peak in her career here, repurposing bits and pieces of her work in Their Finest for a film with much more intentional sentiment. |
| Film ThreatAlan NgMy biggest frustration with Summerland is three major plotlines mixed like a tossed salad. Each plot is interesting to watch as well as engaging, but transitions from one to the next can clash with the good feelings generated by the previous. |
| Screen RantRachel LabonteBetween its familiar premise and genuine performances, Summerland is occasionally hindered by melodrama, but is overall a very sweet film. |
| ReelViewsJames BerardinelliFor what it is, Summerland is solidly made, but don’t expect anything extraordinary from the production. |
| The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Barry HertzSummerland may not be the greatest show on Earth, but it is firmly Arterton’s show – and deserves more attention than most anyone on these shores will likely give it. |
