Summer of 69

One of those films that I suspect suffers from not having an obvious niche. It's a classic coming of age / sex comedy, but firmly aimed at girls not boys and with an adult sensibility (adult in the sense of grown up, not a euphemism for porn).

It's a much better film than its rating suggests. The leads are superb and superbly well cast. Some of the side characters are a bit too two dimensional, but no more than lots of films with far bigger budgets. The writing is sharp, with the right dose of raunch without going over the top. It is also well acted.

It also avoids the modern tick box tropes (one person of colour: tick; one person who is non-binary: tick; etc).

Despite the film's initial emphasis on its raunchy aspects in both the trailer and marketing materials. It pleasantly surprises with its unexpected depth and heartfelt storytelling.

Yes, it's based on a stripper (Chloe Fineman), who surprisingly keeps her clothes on for the entire film. She's a character who has chosen this profession not out of necessity, but as a means of empowerment and self-expression. She is co-starred by a naive, almost Bambi-like character (Sam Morelos) who so desperately wants to 69 her high school crush but never manages more than a kiss. Abby, the high school girl, comes from a repressive family, which has distorted her views on sexuality and relationships.

Similar to Fast Times, this film delves into the complexities of sex and relationships from a teenage girl's perspective. However, it distinguishes itself by offering a more honest and enlightening exploration of sex, dating, boundaries, and consent.

Whilst the film's plot is driven by Abby's (Sam Morelos) desire to 69 her crush, its heart lies in the chemistry built between Abby and Santa Monica (Chloe Fineman). The two woman's unassuming meeting sets in motion a series of events that will alter their lives.

For Abby, who has come from a repressive family, she now has the opportunity to speak to an older woman to help her understand her sexuality and what it means to be a woman. Most importantly and ironically, it is a stripper, Santa Monica, that teaches her sex is not just for a man's pleasure and is not something that needs to be rushed into, and that who you are vulnerable with matters.

For Santa Monica, her desire to "be something" forces her to be vulnerable with another person, seemingly for the first time in her life. This vulnerability prompts deep reflection on accepting who she is and not being ashamed of the choices she has made in her life.

While not perfect and with an obligatory cheesy ending, this film offers a great insight into the pressures faced by oversexualised youth. It does not condone or glorify this trend, but rather presents a nuanced exploration of the factors that contribute to it and its impact on young people. However, at its core, it conveys a powerful message that emphasises love and consent, advocating for a healthier and more respectful approach to sexuality.

We stumbled onto Summer of 69 while scrolling through Hulu, honestly just trying to escape another night of endless Netflix picks. None of us knew what we were in for - and yet, this offbeat comedy about teen awkwardness, friendship, and blooming confidence actually surprised us in the best way.

Abby, the main character, really stood out. Winny found her quirky charm and humor totally lovable, while Willow vibed more with the film's look and was (impatiently) waiting for "the good part" - which we'll just say... yeah, he knew when it hit. Mimikyu, meanwhile, was all in for the weird energy and couldn't stop giggling at the immature jokes, which somehow hit just right. Amy and Tails appreciated the character chemistry - the way they bounced off each other felt so natural, almost like real-life friendships, and they both related hard to the awkward, nervous moments that came up. It was that kind of "been there" energy.

Sweet thought the movie had something real to say underneath the laughs. He pointed out how it could be helpful for teens (maybe 14+) figuring things out - though, to him, the bold and loud use of the word sex felt a bit unreal and forced at times. Still, he got that it was a comedy, and it made the message easier to digest - even if it was kinda weird.

In the end, this movie isn't trying to be perfect or deep - but it's honest in a funny, slightly chaotic way. We had a good time.

Rating: 8/10 - Honest laughs and awkward charm!

I loved Chloe for this role and I know Sam was hired to be awkward but it's beyond uncomfortable that I never even thought about rooting for her! She is just not enjoyable to watch. The movie has a great idea behind it but I think too much of the casting tried or even accomplished in some instances very stereotypical casting decisions. I get it that it's a first go round for first time director, Bell, but having a MFA myself in directing I know you want to cast your friends to show others how amazing they are, you tend to lose something in the final product, and that's what it clear looks like here.

A wonderful campy homage to the reinvented underdog comedy.

The cast was great - comedy gold from different actors with different backgrounds and different perspectives. From online sensations to TV icons to SNL legends. With relative newcomers that did a great job. Excellent comedic timing and charisma.

You know that the director did a great job when it feels like the talent had great fun working on this movie while maintaining a high standard of technical execution.

It's the perfect movie when you want to spend an evening forgetting about the nonsense of this world, not overthink things and have a laugh.