MovieChat Forums > Almost Summer (1978) Discussion > Dated and Miscast

Dated and Miscast

posted 10 years ago by Alwood
2 replies | jump to latest

ALMOST SUMMER is indicative of what was wrong with most "teen" movies, pre-John Hughes, namely it was cast with a bunch of 30 year-olds trying to pass as high school students (obviously there were a few exceptions, AMERICAN GRAFFITTI being one). In what could have been a spot-on satire of post-Watergate America, this sappy extended sitcom has no depth, little humor and few surprises.

"A student council election at a big public high school gets nasty" is how ALMOST SUMMER is usually summarized, but ELECTION this certainly isn't. In spite of a terrific cast, this film is a major disappointment and has become justifiably obscure.

[–] WarpedRecord 8 years ago

You're right on all counts, of course, but I cut this film a lot of slack because of the innocuous era it represents. I didn't expect any post-Watergate satire, and I wasn't disappointed.

My desire to love this film is a lot stronger than my actual love for this film, but it will always hold a special place in my heart because it takes me back to when I fell for movies like this. My adult self gives it 7/10 stars, but my teen self would rate it much higher.

[–] jtl-779-787149 7 years ago

I like the movie too. I have it in my collection and also the soundtrack LP.