Summer Lovers

I first saw this in 1982 on the big screen in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Twenty-seven years later I was still thinking about it (nothing in particular, just the general sense that it was among the most memorable two hours I spent with my own summer lover), so rented it in 1999. My husband (summer lover long gone) humoured me by sitting through it, but I was again fascinated by the cinematography and the sense of freedom the movie managed to evoke. There's some bad hair and laughable writing, but it still makes me want to visit Greece.

I liked the theme of personal growth and minor sexual liberation against the backdrop of Greece, specifically, Thira (Santorini). There is some decent, although very minor, treatment of the archaeology of the Minoan civilization on Thira. The performances were good and the scenery is stunningly beautiful. A good amount of toplessness and some minor full nudity is refreshingly well treated. Point in fact, I had similar experiences when I went to the islands in 1984. Entertaining and poignant.

Okay, okay. It's a thin plot with a lot of Chamber of Commerce scenery. But it took me back to Greece as I had seen it. Santorini is unmatched anywhere. (Mykonos is also very beuatiful.) The beaches have more than their share of full-tan bathers. It's real. It's their culture. So what? It's not a reason to dish the movie. The movie brings in top musical productions of the era and three budding stars. In the "Isn't it Interesting Category" it's notable that Daryl Hannah (Cathy) states that her fantasy "is to be a mermaid." Voila! The mermaid she became vaulted her career forward. The biggest disappontment that I got from the movie is finding out that the beautiful Valerie Quennessen died in an auto accident in 1989. She played the European free-spirit role well. She had stunning eyes - mindful of Princess Di. God bless her!

This is a great movie for those willing to throw caution to the wind and go for a ride. At first I was into it for the funky love-triangle. I wanted to see how it would turn out. As it progressed I found that I was paying less attention to the sexual aspects of the film and ended up lost in the eyes of Valérie Quennessen. Without a doubt she has the most beautiful soul I've ever seen in a woman's eyes.

The instant it ended I came to IMDb to see what else she's done. Then I learned the worst. Valérie died 10 years ago. I genuinely feel a loss in my heart.

I must be crazy...I must be in love.

This sex comedy/travelogue focuses on the beauty of Greece with its aerial photography of the island of Santorini (a.k.a. Thera). It is a picture-postcard fantasy of Greece. The production values are high and the scenes are colorful and crisp. A lot of its comedy comes from the fact that it's so embarrassing to watch, in a good way. There are a lot of cheesy moments that I wouldn't want to miss. It's 70's/early 80's alternative lifestyle style, which includes a group disco romp where everyone holds hands at the same time! Then there is that scene with the nude body builders... The film is well worth seeing if you've ever dreamed of going to Greece.