Summer Love

As with previous reviewers, I wanted to like this series and I was encouraged by what I saw in the first episode, but it petered out into what can only be described as ordinary fluff.

By the final episode, which meant well but fell short in so many ways it was annoying to watch, I got the feeling I was being subjected to a lesson in morals - kind of like so many American shows/movies tend to do to their audience. Less laughs, more preaching, except the impact just wasn't there.

Some of the acting was similar to what we would see in the 1980s from Australian series, mini-series & movies - and I'm not talking about the material we were most proud of. I hate to say it because I have great respect for the writers, but I just know they could do better than this.

If I could give one example of not aiming for high standards, it was from Episode 8 when the main characters were at the beach. It was most unfortunately overcast, gloomy, windy and clearly late in the day - not looking like the conditions in which too many would be spending time on the sand or in the water. Then, the girls take a short drive to get some dinner, and it's bright & sunny - calm and not a cloud in the sky. Weather changes can happen, but rewinding the clock? This was so obviously lacking continuity, further illustrated in the next scene as they finish eating their fish & chips in pitch-black darkness! Please.

Not to put too fine a point on it, the storyline was rather lame and appeared to be trying to hard to be thought-provoking.

Overall, the trajectory of the series reminded me an earlier promising ABC series, "Fires", which ended up being more about ticking boxes than impacting with great performances and slick production.

This series had all the hallmarks of something to really look forward to but it has been such a mixed bag.

The idea of various guests at a fabulous holiday home had huge scope for comedic human interest stories and given that it is on the ABC and the track record of Grist Mill, we were expecting something like Upper Middle Bogan - such a fabulous series.

However: Episode 1 was so promising - good acting, funny and relatable to most people.

Episode 2 was so bad - like a Year 7 play, we turned off mid-way through.

Episode 3 about the cultural clash was funny and entertaining, as was episode 4 with Robyn and Wayne.

Episode 5 was soft porn in disguise, catering to a very niche audience. Again we turned off mid-way and as a result, I await the rest of the series with nervous trepidation.

...but I don't. I'm trying to tell myself that it has all the elements that should make it a success, but somehow, it just feels off. I loved Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler's Upper Middle Bogan, so I thought I'd probably love this. But despite the big name actors, the amazing location, and some other decent elements, it just feels overdone, too tense, and like it's trying to be a comedy but isn't. It's such a pity, because I'm a huge fan of the actors' other work, but placing them in this series doesn't make it any good, despite their skill as individuals. It's actually really uncomfortable to watch (which I'm not sure I've ever experienced before to this extent), and I need a glass of wine to chill out afterwards! Disappointed not to be giving a better review. I know 1 out of 10 is extreme, but in my opinion the series just really doesn't work.

The idea to have one house, a fantastic house in a magical beach location is wonderful !

The problems are the script and also casting; both disappointing as don't match the hype.

Except for the first episode, the storylines in the other episodes are lacking in twists and not meeting the "comedy" expectations.

Using too many clichés, actors and actresses are left with not much genuine comedy material to make it a good comedy.

Despite all this, the filming locations are really spectacular and would attract people to visit this stunning part of Victoria!

Another positive: introducing actors and actresses that I hadn't seen before.

Funny, thought provoking and real. This is a a witty yet deep and well-written combination. Amazing writers have given this a deep feel to honest life-lessons many of us can relate to and learn from. It's a perfect mini series to binge or watch over time as each episode can stand alone or you can enjoy the little linkages (damn you Bluetooth)... and the backdrop of the lovely property on the great ocean road is really well put together.

Who should watch: if you appreciate Australian written drama/comedies, if you're after substance over CGI, and if you'd like something that might just open up conversations and reflection (along with entertainment of course) then this is for you.