''Summer Night'' is a 2019 American
coming-of-age
Coming of age is a young person's transition from being a child to being an adult. The specific age at which this transition takes place varies between societies, as does the nature of the change. It can be a simple legal convention or can ...
romantic comedy
Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how true love is able to surmount most obstacles. In a typica ...
film directed by
Joseph Cross Joseph or Joe Cross may refer to:
People
* Joseph Cross (actor) (born 1986), American actor
* Joseph Cross (cartographer) (1821–1865), English cartographer
* Joseph Cross (cricketer) (1849–1918), English cricketer
* Joseph Cross (judge) (1843 ...
in his directorial debut, from a screenplay Jordan Jolliff. It stars
Ellar Coltrane
Ellar Coltrane Kinney Salmon (born August 27, 1994) is an American actor. They are best known for their role as Mason Evans Jr. in Richard Linklater's film '' Boyhood'', for which they won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer ...
,
Ian Nelson,
Lio Tipton
Lio Tipton (born Analeigh Tipton; November 9, 1988) is an American actor and fashion model. Tipton is known for being the last eliminated on Cycle 11 of ''America's Next Top Model'' and for their roles in the films ''Crazy, Stupid, Love'' (2011 ...
,
Callan McAuliffe
Callan Ryan Claude McAuliffe (born 24 January 1995) is an Australian actor, known for his roles as Bryce Loski in '' Flipped'' and Sam Goode in '' I Am Number Four''. He appeared as young Jay Gatsby in the 2013 film ''The Great Gatsby''. From 2 ...
,
Ella Hunt
Ella Hunt (born 29 April 1998) is an English actress and singer. She was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA for her performance in the film '' Anna and the Apocalypse'' (2017). On television, she is known for her roles as Ellie Marsden in the ITV c ...
,
Bill Milner
William Henry Milner (born 4 March 1995) is an English actor. He starred as Will Proudfoot in ''Son of Rambow'' (2007), Edward in '' Is Anybody There?'' (2008), and the young Erik Lensherr in '' X-Men: First Class'' (2011).
Early life
William ...
,
Hayden Szeto
Hayden Chun Hay Szeto (born September 11, 1985; ) is a Canadian actor of Hong Kong descent, known for his role as Erwin Kim in the comedy-drama film '' The Edge of Seventeen'' (2016). In 2017, he portrayed Ken Luang in the NBC comedy series ''T ...
,
Lana Condor,
Elena Kampouris,
Melina Vidler
Melina Vidler (born 20 February 1993) is an Australian actress, known for her role as Shay Turner in ''800 Words'', for which she won the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Newcomer in 2016.
Early life
Vidler was born in Brisbane and grew up in ...
,
Khris Davis
Khristopher Adrian Davis (born December 21, 1987), nicknamed “Khrush”, is an American professional baseball left fielder and designated hitter who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Bre ...
,
Victoria Justice
Victoria Dawn Justice (born February 19, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She has received several accolades, including two Young Artist Awards and nominations for three Imagen Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and three Kids' Choice Awar ...
and
Justin Chatwin
Justin Chatwin (born October 31, 1982) is a Canadian actor. He began his career in 2001 with a brief appearance in the musical comedy ''Josie and the Pussycats''. Following his breakthrough role as Robbie Ferrier in the blockbuster ''War of the ...
.
It had its world premiere at the
Atlanta Film Festival
The Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is a long-running, international film festival held in Atlanta, Georgia operated by the Atlanta Film Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Started in 1976 and occurring every spring, the festival shows a ...
on April 6, 2019. It was released on July 12, 2019, by
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films is an American film company that licenses, releases and distributes art-house, independent and foreign films. It was founded by Samuel Goldwyn Jr., the son of the Hollywood business magnate/mogul, Samuel Goldwyn. The curr ...
.
Plot
One summer night, young adults across town meet and prepare for the party at The Alamo, a music venue. They make discoveries about themselves and their relationships with the people around them. This includes best friends Seth and Jameson, Seth’s girlfriend Mel, and her friends Lex and Vanessa. Their friends Taylor and Andy, along with Seth, play music at the Alamo.
Mel finds out she's pregnant, and her two best friends, Lexi and Vanessa, console her at their house. In a phone call to her friend Jack, Lexi admits she slept with a groomsman at her sister's wedding. While Jameson and Seth drive through town, Jameson asks Mel's boyfriend, Seth, about their relationship. When Seth refuses to tell him, Jameson drives over to Mel's house, where Vanessa is outside. Seth, hidden from Vanessa, hears her tell Jameson to tell Seth to call Mel so they can talk.
Jameson arrives at the house of Andy, a friend and local bartender at the Alamo. They talk about Jameson's date that night with partier Harmony and his on-and-off relationship with Corin. Rabbit shows up and tells the two that Lexi slept with someone. Jameson and Andy console him about his crush on Lexi.
In the woods, two men jump Taylor on his bike ride. He clambers through the woods before finding Dana, the younger sister of one of his friends. Dana helps him into town and bandages his wounds. Taylor invites Dana to see him play that night at the Alamo.
Seth visits Mel to talk about their baby, not offering any opinion on what to do. When Seth interrupts their conversation to return a text, Mel angrily tells him to leave. Outside the Alamo, Seth admits to his bandmate and friend Caleb that Mel's pregnant. Taylor arrives with his guitar and all three enter the Alamo.
Harmony drives Jameson to the Alamo. At the Alamo, Seth and his band start playing. Taylor finds Dana in the line into the Alamo. At the house, Vanessa decides to go to the Alamo while Mel and Lexi decide to stay in. Mel notices that Taylor, Vanessa's crush, is back in town.
At the door to the Alamo, Corin, working as the ticket-seller, asks Jameson to talk after she gets off from work. Jameson pays for both him and Harmony, revealing to Corin that they're on a date. During the performance, Jameson and Harmony drink and talk about Jameson’s past with Corin and their futures.
Rabbit arrives at the Alamo and talks to Luke, a dad and friend, about Lexi. Luke tells Rabbit not to get mad at Lexi since they're not in a relationship.
Vanessa enters the Alamo and approaches the stage, where Taylor and Dana are talking. Vanessa greets Dana harshly, and Taylor interrupts by introducing Andy's band.
Harmony goes out to answer a phone call. On the way back in, she asks Corin if she's interested in Jameson. Corin lies and tells Harmony no.
Seth goes outside to ask Luke for father advice. Mel and Lexi decide to go to the Alamo, where Taylor's band has started playing. After they arrive, Rabbit blows off Lexi when she wants to talk. After Taylor's band finishes up, everyone leaves the Alamo to go to LaSalles, a local bar.
When Harmony asks Jameson to come over, she realizes he still has some interest in Corin. She tells him to call her when he's figured out what he wants. Outside of Alamo's, Luke tells Rabbit to not be dumb about Lexi while Jameson asks Corin to talk later. Taylor convinces Dana to go to LaSalles, even though Dana isn't twenty-one yet. Vanessa interrupts their conversation to take a picture with Taylor. Taylor pulls away, leading Dana away.
Outside of the Alamo, Mel and Seth argue over the baby. Seth decides to have a drink with his friends while Mel decides to go home. Lexi and Rabbit walk Mel back.
Taylor and Dana enter LaSalles through a side door and begin to dance. Vanessa sees them and tells the bouncer that Dana isn't twenty-one. At the bar, Seth reveals to Jameson that Mel is pregnant. Jameson tells Seth to go to Mel as Corin and Andy enter the bar. Corin tells Jameson she wants to escape their slow town. Taylor and Dana leave after the bartender asks for Dana's ID. While walking back, Taylor and Dana go swimming in the river and they kiss.
Jameson walks Corin home. After revealing that Jameson admitted his feelings for her at her past birthday party, they talk. While Jameson likes his life how it is, Corin realizes she's not content with the life she currently lives, and thinks that Jameson should be too. Jameson leaves after Corin tells him that he's messing up how her should be.
At the house, Rabbit and Lexi talk in the kitchen. Lexi admits that she wants to be with Rabbit, and they kiss. Mel catches Seth as he tries to sneak into the house. In her room, Seth apologizes for being a bad boyfriend. They sit in bed and talk about the baby before going to sleep.
Jameson, Andy, and Rabbit go to Caleb’s house, where they drink and talk about their days.
The next day, the four wake up and go to the coffeeshop that Dana works at. After she serves them, Taylor enters and gives her a flower.
Cast
Production
In October 2017, it was announced
Ellar Coltrane
Ellar Coltrane Kinney Salmon (born August 27, 1994) is an American actor. They are best known for their role as Mason Evans Jr. in Richard Linklater's film '' Boyhood'', for which they won the Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer ...
,
Lio Tipton
Lio Tipton (born Analeigh Tipton; November 9, 1988) is an American actor and fashion model. Tipton is known for being the last eliminated on Cycle 11 of ''America's Next Top Model'' and for their roles in the films ''Crazy, Stupid, Love'' (2011 ...
,
Justin Chatwin
Justin Chatwin (born October 31, 1982) is a Canadian actor. He began his career in 2001 with a brief appearance in the musical comedy ''Josie and the Pussycats''. Following his breakthrough role as Robbie Ferrier in the blockbuster ''War of the ...
and
Elena Kampouris had joined the cast of the film, with
Joseph Cross Joseph or Joe Cross may refer to:
People
* Joseph Cross (actor) (born 1986), American actor
* Joseph Cross (cartographer) (1821–1865), English cartographer
* Joseph Cross (cricketer) (1849–1918), English cricketer
* Joseph Cross (judge) (1843 ...
directing from a screenplay by himself and Jordan Joliff. In November 2017, it was announced
Callan McAuliffe
Callan Ryan Claude McAuliffe (born 24 January 1995) is an Australian actor, known for his roles as Bryce Loski in '' Flipped'' and Sam Goode in '' I Am Number Four''. He appeared as young Jay Gatsby in the 2013 film ''The Great Gatsby''. From 2 ...
,
Ian Nelson,
Hayden Szeto
Hayden Chun Hay Szeto (born September 11, 1985; ) is a Canadian actor of Hong Kong descent, known for his role as Erwin Kim in the comedy-drama film '' The Edge of Seventeen'' (2016). In 2017, he portrayed Ken Luang in the NBC comedy series ''T ...
,
Lana Condor,
Bill Milner
William Henry Milner (born 4 March 1995) is an English actor. He starred as Will Proudfoot in ''Son of Rambow'' (2007), Edward in '' Is Anybody There?'' (2008), and the young Erik Lensherr in '' X-Men: First Class'' (2011).
Early life
William ...
,
Melina Vidler
Melina Vidler (born 20 February 1993) is an Australian actress, known for her role as Shay Turner in ''800 Words'', for which she won the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Newcomer in 2016.
Early life
Vidler was born in Brisbane and grew up in ...
,
Ella Hunt
Ella Hunt (born 29 April 1998) is an English actress and singer. She was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA for her performance in the film '' Anna and the Apocalypse'' (2017). On television, she is known for her roles as Ellie Marsden in the ITV c ...
and
Victoria Justice
Victoria Dawn Justice (born February 19, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She has received several accolades, including two Young Artist Awards and nominations for three Imagen Awards, an NAACP Image Award, and three Kids' Choice Awar ...
had also been set to star, with
James Ponsoldt
James Adam Ponsoldt (born 1978) is an American film director, actor and screenwriter. He directed the drama films ''Off the Black'' (2006) and '' Smashed'' (2012), the romantic comedy-drama '' The Spectacular Now'' (2013), and the dramas '' The En ...
serving as an executive producer.
Principal photography
Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production.
Personnel
Besides the main film personnel, such as actor ...
began in
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
,
Georgia
Georgia most commonly refers to:
* Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States
Georgia may also refer to:
Places
Historical states and entities
* Related to the ...
on October 20, 2017. Production concluded on November 11, 2017 in
Newnan, Georgia after 19 days filming.
Release
In December 2018, it was announced that
Samuel Goldwyn Films
Samuel Goldwyn Films is an American film company that licenses, releases and distributes art-house, independent and foreign films. It was founded by Samuel Goldwyn Jr., the son of the Hollywood business magnate/mogul, Samuel Goldwyn. The curr ...
had acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film, with a planned release for spring 2019. The movie had its world premiere at the
Atlanta Film Festival
The Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is a long-running, international film festival held in Atlanta, Georgia operated by the Atlanta Film Society, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Started in 1976 and occurring every spring, the festival shows a ...
on April 6, 2019. It was released on July 12, 2019.
Critical reception
''Summer Night'' holds approval rating on review aggregator website
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
, based on reviews, with an average of . On
Metacritic
Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...
, the film holds a rating of 49 out of 100, based on 7 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Notes
References
External links
*
*
* {{Metacritic film
2019 films
2019 directorial debut films
2019 romantic comedy films
2010s coming-of-age comedy films
2010s English-language films
American coming-of-age comedy films
American romantic comedy films
Coming-of-age romance films
Samuel Goldwyn Films films
2010s American films