Summer of 69

Despite the film's initial emphasis on its raunchy aspects in both the trailer and marketing materials. It pleasantly surprises with its unexpected depth and heartfelt storytelling.

Yes, it's based on a stripper (Chloe Fineman), who surprisingly keeps her clothes on for the entire film. She's a character who has chosen this profession not out of necessity, but as a means of empowerment and self-expression. She is co-starred by a naive, almost Bambi-like character (Sam Morelos) who so desperately wants to 69 her high school crush but never manages more than a kiss. Abby, the high school girl, comes from a repressive family, which has distorted her views on sexuality and relationships.

Similar to Fast Times, this film delves into the complexities of sex and relationships from a teenage girl's perspective. However, it distinguishes itself by offering a more honest and enlightening exploration of sex, dating, boundaries, and consent.

Whilst the film's plot is driven by Abby's (Sam Morelos) desire to 69 her crush, its heart lies in the chemistry built between Abby and Santa Monica (Chloe Fineman). The two woman's unassuming meeting sets in motion a series of events that will alter their lives.

For Abby, who has come from a repressive family, she now has the opportunity to speak to an older woman to help her understand her sexuality and what it means to be a woman. Most importantly and ironically, it is a stripper, Santa Monica, that teaches her sex is not just for a man's pleasure and is not something that needs to be rushed into, and that who you are vulnerable with matters.

For Santa Monica, her desire to "be something" forces her to be vulnerable with another person, seemingly for the first time in her life. This vulnerability prompts deep reflection on accepting who she is and not being ashamed of the choices she has made in her life.

While not perfect and with an obligatory cheesy ending, this film offers a great insight into the pressures faced by oversexualised youth. It does not condone or glorify this trend, but rather presents a nuanced exploration of the factors that contribute to it and its impact on young people. However, at its core, it conveys a powerful message that emphasises love and consent, advocating for a healthier and more respectful approach to sexuality.

Stumbling upon the 2025 comedy "Summer of 69" by random chance, I opted to watch the movie without knowing what I was in for. I simply opted to watch it as it was a movie that I had neither seen nor actually ever heard about. And thus, director Jillian Bell had every opportunity to entertain me here.

The storyline and script written by Jillian Bell, Jules Byrne and Liz Nico was really, really entertaining and enjoyable. There was a lot of great comedy throughout the course of the movie. It was nicely put together and brought to the screen. I was genuinely surprised with how much I enjoyed this 2025 comedy.

The only familiar faces on the cast list, for me, was actress Jillian Bell, whom also happen to both have written and directed the movie, and also actor Charlie Day. The acting performances in "Summer of 69" were good, and I was really impressed with leading actress Sam Morelos, playing Abby. Sam Morelos really carried the movie quite nicely, and she had great on-screen charisma, and she certainly seems like an actress that will go far with her talent.

If you enjoy coming of age comedies with a truly enjoyable storyline, then you most certainly should give "Summer of 69" a chance. I was genuinely and wholehearted entertained throughout the course of the 101 minutes that the movie ran for. I certainly had some good and genuine laughs.

My rating of director Jillian Bell's 2025 comedy "Summer of 69" lands on a most deserved eight out of ten stars.

Chloe Fineman delivers a standout performance as Santa Monica, an exotic dancer who helps high school senior Abby Flores, played by Sam Morelos, navigate her romantic endeavors. Fineman's portrayal is particularly notable for an impressive and athletic striptease scene set to Peaches' 2006 hit "Boys Wanna Be Her," showcasing her remarkable strength, flexibility, and control. Her performance has been highlighted as a pivotal moment in the film, leaving a lasting impression on both the audience and Abby's character.

Bonus for 'Grey's Anatomy' Fans:

Adding to the film's appeal, Jerrika Hinton, known for her role as Dr. Stephanie Edwards on "Grey's Anatomy," appears in "Summer of 69." Her presence adds a familiar face for fans of the long-running medical drama.

Overall Assessment:

While "Summer of 69" offers a fresh take on the teen sex comedy genre with strong performances, especially from Fineman, its reception suggests it's more of a solid entry than a perfect film. Given the mixed reviews, a 10 out of 10 rating might be generous. However, if you're a fan of quirky coming-of-age stories with a blend of humor and heart, it could be a worthwhile watch.

Actress Jillian Bell makes her directorial debut with the teen comedy about friendship and unbridled sex in a film whose strength lies in its openness and authenticity.

Starring Chloe Fineman and Sam Morelos, this comedy takes us on a journey about unbridled sexual freedom and two characters who become soulmates in a humorous yet innocent way. This comedy has its amusing moments and ultimately delivers a satisfying result that can be enjoyed without any major hang-ups. A risky coming-of-age film that manages to contain ironic moments and rather dark humor that make it an absolute pleasure to watch, it's a hilarious homage to classic teen cinema, presented through the female gaze in a rather interesting directorial debut that deserves to be watched.

It's a journey through a film that doesn't discover anything new; it simply strives to place the right pieces at the right moments, resulting in a rather entertaining film. It showcases the kind of sweet, incredible friendships that make teen comedies memorable. When the credits roll, we're left with the feeling that a completely natural friendship has been forged between the characters and the audience, a sign that the journey was quite enjoyable and that we had a good time.

It's not perfect, it won't be for everyone, and the film is aware of that, but if you give it a chance, it will reward you with funny moments and two characters whose crazy antics make you laugh a lot, especially Morelos, who stands out as a budding star worth keeping an eye on.

One of those films that I suspect suffers from not having an obvious niche. It's a classic coming of age / sex comedy, but firmly aimed at girls not boys and with an adult sensibility (adult in the sense of grown up, not a euphemism for porn).

It's a much better film than its rating suggests. The leads are superb and superbly well cast. Some of the side characters are a bit too two dimensional, but no more than lots of films with far bigger budgets. The writing is sharp, with the right dose of raunch without going over the top. It is also well acted.

It also avoids the modern tick box tropes (one person of colour: tick; one person who is non-binary: tick; etc).