Summertime

Don't listen to the other reviewer, he doesn't know what he's talking about. This movie is basically an allegory to the situation in South Korea during the '70s and '80s, and the presence of the student (a democratic rights protestor) who flees to the countryside only helps to bring this home. The wife who is imprisoned in her home and the husband, who is a security guard, are the embodiment of the South Korean people (the wife) and the South Korean government/establisment (the husband). The student is burgeoning democracy. It's when the student finally touches/comes into contact with the wife, that the wife begins to realize that her situation (one of imprisonment) is now how she should live. With the student's presence, the wife is able to break free of her husband's stranglehold. Where once she was content with the status quo, she is now striving for something more. So too was South Korea during the '70s and '80s. Anyone who has studied South Korea would know this. Anyone who hasn't will think the film is meaningless.

This movie is apparently a tribute or a remake of the Filipino movie Scorpio Nights. The original directed by Peque Gallaga that have reached cult status.

Many of the film aspects were originally retained like the protagonists and supporting characters, scenes with some variation from the original and location/setting of the house is alike but only in a different country and also the character's story arc were different.

The main character was silent, reserved and a bit mysterious. Compared with the lead from Scorpio Night that was more stoic and not lively. The supporting characters or the neighbors here has only a minor role unlike the original which can be a representation of the society back then.

Overall it was a good remake and it has great perspective in varying certain scenes but the ending was so-so.

SUMMERTIME is probably too explicit in the sex department. It doesn't have to be, but there you have it. If plenty of skin and simulated sex doesn't turn you off, then SUMMERTIME offers up an interesting take on South Korea's road to democracy. The movie itself is a thin allegory to South Korea's turbulent late '70s and early '80s, as the democracy movement gained steam and was finally able to tear free from the restraints of their military dictators.

The film itself could have used some subtlety, and most people unfamiliar with South Korea politics and history would not "get" this part of it. Still, for those who know, SUMMERTIME gives a good microcosm of the events of the time.

But again, the movie is rather sexually explicit, so be warned.

7 out of 10

(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie or reviews of other foreign films)

"Summer Time" is an erotic drama with lots of nudity and sex scenes. They are beautifully shot. But what goes on around the sex is nothing of interest. It's basically the story of a young man who watches his neighbors in bed, gets aroused and has sex with the wife by imitating her husband. When she discovers that the guy sleeping with her is not her man, she doesn't push him away. They become lovers. An adultery movie. I guess we had that before.

There is a certain edge to you average adultery movie though: "Summer Time" is pretty rough. For example, the first shot and the finale are bloody. And you see a shot of sperm. Those offended by such a depiction should best avoid "Summer Time". Everyone else is not really urged to watch it neither - because it's not very good. There are way better ways and films to kill 104 minutes.

Rating: 5/10

Unlike the original film Scorpio Nights, this remake actually makes sense, have some logic and motivation and the allegories work. The original was just an amateurish attempt at softporn that tried to look like something better. This one also goes to the territory of softporn but with some solid base. Even though the acting is sometimes terrible and the narrative is sometimes confused and could have been better in so many ways it does have an authenticity that lacked in the original.