Something Like Summer

First, let me say like most people who have reviewed this movie, the book is 1000 times better. I have no idea why someone read Jay Bell's book Something Like Summer and decided 'oh this would be a great musical". It's not. They could have delved more into the actual story and plot of the book and done without all of the songs, which take up so much unnecessary time rather than developing the love between the two main characters. The first time I saw this was at the gay film festival in Atlanta and there was a Q&A with the Director and the cast afterwards. I never got a chance to ask why in the hell they ruined such a great book by making this movie a musical adaptation. For anyone unfamiliar I would watch this and then go read the book. Otherwise you're going to be extremely disappointed.

I have read all of the something like books and was naturally excited to see the movie was coming out and waited what seemed to be an eternity to see it. Sadly to say I shouldn't have waited. This movie failed to incorporate any kind of value from the book. I felt disconnected and had i not read the book, would have been totally lost as nothing is connected coherently. The movie reminds me of some kid show with a bunch of preppy guys out a catalog and no clear purpose. The movie also failed to display any kind of intimacy or emotionality expected in this work. And what is with all the singing?? I literally skipped through it as it was long drawn out and irrelevant. Overall I would have to rate this movie as a failure. Giving 4 for effort.

David Santos, call me.

An attractive, likable cast made it all bearable and, at times, enjoyable, but most of the twists and turns in the story were predictable, derivative and tedious.

There also seemed to be numerous, awkward moments when, out of nowhere, a musical number was inserted in a startling, cringe worthy way. Rather than enhancing the story line, most of them were intrusive, barely relevant and uncomfortable.

While the whole movie was creeping over the line into soap opera territory, the final twist & turn removed all doubt.

It is probably still worth watching, but by the end you may be asking yourself, "what the hell just happened."

I used to only check reviews on each movie but never wrote one. This is my first comment because this movie has really struck me speechless.

It's actually an interesting story. I came across the novel by accident and fell in love with the something like ... gay universe. I recommended the series to my friend and he told me there was actually a movie adaptation. I was so excited at first but after the first 5 minutes, I realized I had seen it before and given it up because back then I thought it was disturbingly cringe. Ok I gave it another shot because I love this series so much and it's nothing but cringe.

From the adaptation perspective, it's a failure. The main reason is that the way Jay Bell wrote the series is plot-dense. The series is like a high-schooler diary (not in a bad way) so it is absolutely not possible to cram it into 2 hours. As a result, the movie left out a great deal of important details. For me, it is more of an illustration of the book than a movie. If I haven't read the series, I am sure I will never understand what's going on in each scene before it moves suddenly to some years later.

From the casting perspective, I disagree with some of the previous reviews. Allison is actually really great with sweat voice and satisfactory acting. Ben, Jace and Tim are total disaster. Especially for Tim, he is supposed to be the most handsome one given the fact that his beauty is constantly mentioned in the book. Their acting.... let's just not talk about it.

From the cringe perspective, the movie is soooo awkward. Everything seems cheap and fake. From their motives, dialogue, emotion to the setting and musical, it's just screaming we are underfunded! All these important scenes in the first book are either cut out or carried out in complete awkwardness. They made every line sound ridiculous and emotionless. So I didn't feel particularly touched but sorry for these actors and actresses because they must have felt embarrassed as well. As for the some years passed by part, they really should have done more.

Anyway, I really appreciate their efforts. The something like series is really good so if you have found the movie somewhat intriguing but haven't read the series yet, please read it. Then you will understand what I mean by this is illustration but not an adaptation.

Loved the book series. The characters and story hold a very special place in my heart. That being said, I feel like this adaptation was botched. Mostly by the cringe-worth, heavy-handed acting. I would have loved to see this as a miniseries under better direction with some bigger names attached to star.