MovieChat Forums > Summer Lovers (1982) Discussion > Such a stupid movie

Such a stupid movie

posted 13 years ago by aks4532
18 replies | jump to latest

I decided to watch this movie on Netflix because I read it makes the most of it's beautiful scenery, which is the only thing worth watching in this movie. Santorini seems like a beautiful place, but if it overrun by naked tourists, as this movie suggests, I think I'll pass. The acting was atrocious, although everyone was beautiful, the movie was never quite as daring as I thought it would be, I suppose it would have to be made by a European film maker for that to happen, Americans are so darned puritanical. I found it hard to believe that a beautiful and intelligent woman like Lina would waste her time getting caught up in a 'menage-a-trois'with those two boring Americans. The sound track was atrocious. I suppose the filmmaker thought he could get away with passing this off as a movie by filming it on a beautiful island with beautiful people...no thanks, can't even finish it..

[–] eagle79-1 12 years ago

Aks4532, some points to be considered:

You criticized americans for being "so darned puritanical" but earlier you wrote you'd actually pass on visiting Santorini if it were "overrun by naked tourists". Then you chide the film for not being "quite as daring as I thought it would be". Before that, you slam the acting as atrocious. You also found the soundtrack atrocious.

So let me see if I got you right: You went into the film expecting it to rival EMMANUELLE but with Shakespearean acting and a Nino Rota score, but it came up short to your cinematic sensibilities as you expect more explicitness on celluloid (but not in real life - so the Vatican galleries & the Pompeii murals are out of the question).

Too bad you think a soundtrack comprised of Emmy-award winning composer Basil Poledouris, Elton John, Tina Turner, Depeche Mode, Prince & The Pointer Sisters is "atrocious". I think it's above-average for the kind of film SL is, but that's not the kind of film you thought it would be. But don't sweat it, you didn't even finish it...

Just one little tidbit if you care: SL was the film that ignited my desire to go out & see the world without preconceptions, in all its glory. I went to Santorini (and many countries afterwards) because this film inspired me.

Maybe you should try Julio Medem's LUCIA Y EL SEXO or Jean-Jacques Annaud L'AMANT for prettily shot sensual movies with "better acting" in picturesque locales. But they won't be as much FUN as SUMMER LOVERS.

;)

[–] andyk69 12 years ago

well said Eagle! LOVE and long lives Summer Lovers and the adventurous feeling it ignited in me as a teenager

[–] Dances_with_Weasels 12 years ago

Well said, Eagle. This is not the movie the OP wanted, obviously. Like you, this movie had a strong influence on me. It's carefree adventures in an exotic locale was quite liberating to my teenage, conservative self. I have lived a life less judgemental and with few preconceptions because of this movie...and I am thankful for that.

Are you going to pull those pistols or whistle "Dixie"?

[–] aks4532 12 years ago

I've seen many foreign movies that are much better than "Summer Lovers" and I didn't a problem with the people being naked on the beach, but the fact that they were all obnoxious tourists. The only likable character for me was the French woman, which is why i found it so hard to believe she would be 'in love' with those two American brats.

[–] ccponyboy 10 years ago

Amen, Eagle!!!!!! I could have said everything you did, since this silly little film touched me in very much the same way as a kid!!! There is something so endearing about it!! Thank you for your eloquence!!!

[–] ianmorgan70-1 12 years ago

The time of public nudity, free sex and sleeping on the beach is long gone, so don't worry. These days, Santorini is a tourist trap, almost devoid of charm and authenticity. Almost.

Still, the scenery is stunning: the caldera, the white-wash houses, the tiny churches with blue roofs and the sunset in Ia all do their best to make the trip worth taking. And whenever the locals aren't "on duty" (i.e. trying to sell you something), they're incredibly nice.

If you're very interested in archeology, you might want to postpone your visit: Akrotiri (the ancient city where Lina was working) is closed to visitors after the roof caved in and killed a tourist in 2005. It's expected to reopen any decade now.

[–] ianmorgan70-1 12 years ago

Akrotiri has just reopened... (Two days after my post, actually.)

[–] taylorkeithanthony 10 years ago

Stupid movie or narrow-minded, hypocritical critic? If you are too ugly, misshapen or are too ashamed of your body to appear nude among other people, that's your problem. You appear to accept the concept of the three-way relationship, but not the fact that Lina would become involved with the Americans. Why not? Have you no spark of adventure in your soul? Have you ever experienced such a relationship? If not, who are you to judge? To paraphrase Earl Butz: "You don't play the game, so you can't make the rules."
If you detest the movie so much, why don't you make a better one?

[–] DeputyDippity 10 years ago

The problem here lies with OP. This is a great, freewheeling, meditative, beautiful Character Study. A classic romance movie. It's aged wonderfully.

I`m sorry for my lack of manners, but I`m not used to escorting men.

[–] taylorkeithanthony 10 years ago

I couldn't agree more about the movie, but you have me rather flummoxed with your footer: "I`m sorry for my lack of manners, but I`m not used to escorting men."
Do you mean men who escort their ladies because they cannot leave their chivalry behind, or men that you have to escort? If the latter, is "escort" not a euphemism for a member of the "oldest profession"? ;-)

[–] DeputyDippity 10 years ago

That's my signature. It's a quote from the first Resident Evil video game. I'm not quite sure what the character meant when he said it, but the connotations are many, and it's hilarious at the end of an internet post.

It's normal to be flummoxed by this quote, as it is nonsensical "Engrish," as are many quotes from the first Resident Evil game.

I recommend that you interpret it to mean prostitution, as that is the most hilarious interpretation.

I`m sorry for my lack of manners, but I`m not used to escorting men.

[–] taylorkeithanthony 10 years ago

How refreshing to discover someone on the Internet with a sense of humour!
I have to admit here that the only computer games I have played are some of the Leisure Suit Larry series; two Tomb Raider episodes and Dino Crisis 2. I also did a few laps on Monster Truck Madness.
I have, since I was very young, had an extremely restless brain with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. Before the Internet became available, I spent countless hours (days, even) in libraries and when I brought the girl who would become my wife home for the first time, she was shocked to see that I had six books on widely different subjects open at the same time. That is why I have not played many games: I chase down information and opinions on a plethora of subjects with the tenacity of a pitbull.

Thank you for your considerate reply.

[–] DeputyDippity 10 years ago

Your wife sounds very lucky!

I`m sorry for my lack of manners, but I`m not used to escorting men.

[–] taylorkeithanthony 10 years ago

I think that I am the lucky one to have found her!

[–] FritzLn 8 years ago

*beep* your wife

[–] GunsGirlsCars 9 years ago

So, the short of it...we were stupid to waste our time watching a period movie enjoyed by..The Baby Boomer Generation?
It maybe that in your hamlet, this flick is beyond your understanding?

[–] rogun-35750 8 years ago

Guess you had to be there.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (5947) a year ago

Lina was in a sort of semi-depressed state so she probably wasn't acting the way she normally would.