Hot Summer Nights Movie Review (2017)
A coming-of-age drama about a teenager drawn into romance, crime, and bad decisions during one unforgettable summer, Hot Summer Nights is a visually striking film that’s mood and style linger longer than its story.
I have made no secret of the fact that I’m not a huge Timothée Chalamet fan. I know that he is loved by many, and I know very little about him as a regular man, but on screen, I just don’t connect with his vibe. I can’t explain it, but if you think of the actors you don’t care to see in a movie, you’ll understand my position. It’s just one of those things. It never stops me from watching something he’s in (Marty Supreme is pretty good), but I would never seek one out. However, if the movie poster catches my eye on streaming, I might hit play.
Hot Summer Nights is about a particular summer on Cape Cod. There are the townies who live there and the rich kids who come in for the summer, but Daniel, who is visiting, though not rich, doesn’t fit in. When bad boy in town, Hunter, randomly approaches Daniel to hide the drugs he’s carrying, the two become friends and start to develop a larger drug-dealing operation. Daniel also becomes enamored with McKayla, Hunter’s younger sister, and the girl in town that everyone fantasizes about.
This is one of those films that either hits you, or it doesn’t, and I don’t think that I am the right audience for it, but I believe that there is a huge group of people who are. Daniel doesn’t fit in, but has major gumption, so when he finds a friend in Hunter, he becomes the driving force in building their drug business. He uses the same instincts to get close to McKayla as well.
Visually, I had a fantastic time with this film. It’s stylish and nostalgic at the same time, with close-ups of lips and lollipops, longing eyes, and cool cars. There is an atmosphere of humid heat, passion, and rebellion, and all of it keeps a kinetic energy that lasts throughout the movie.
That said, the story is only kind of meh. It is meandering and episodic, bouncing around from drug sale wins to romantic forays at a carnival, and you don’t really invest in anyone, although they’re all gorgeous to look at.
I’m actually at a bit of a loss for words with this one because it didn’t make much of an impact. So let me talk about Alex Roe, who plays Hunter, and also stars in the television show Siren – a show I immediately wanted to watch again as soon as I saw his face. It presents mermaids and mermen in unexpected ways, and delves into taking care of nature and our oceans. Watch it on Hulu. It’s weird and strangely captivating.
Hot Summer Nights won’t be for everyone, but it will be for some. The intense desire between Daniel and McKayla builds into something out of a romance novel, and the flashy colors and stylistic cinematography are captivating at times. But it is incredibly uneven and lacks much depth, aside from the longings we feel in our youth. If that piques your interest, give it a shot.
Runtime: 107 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Sure
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Netflix, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
