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.

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 is a wonderful movie- described by many as an escapist fantasy, but letter perfect in it's depiction of the awkward relationship of European-adventuring couple Gallagher + Darryl Hannah in her most resplendent role (Rent this one-she is nude in 60% of it and have no idea how they pared it down for AMC), the difficult mechanics of a 3-way relationship, the sexual politics of the steamy Greek Isles, the carefree tentative joy of gorgeous twenty somethings on the loose in paradise.

The location on the fabled Greek Island of Santorini (Thera) is breathlessly beautiful- it was annihilated in 1600 BC in a titantic volcanic explosion that wiped out the whole Eastern Med, and probably the source of Atlantis legends- 10 years later ('92) I visited (maybe subconciously from the movie) and still think it's the most beautiful place in the world- 1000 ft. cliffs with 10 stories of whitewashed interconnected blue-roofed buildings in a brilliant white strip along the top (town of Fira), black sand beaches on outer side, 2500 ft central mountain w Roman/Hellenistic/Dorian acropoli, entire intact buried Minoan city (Acrotiri-prominently featured) with 3 story bldgs and gorgeous color frescos- a Pompei that's twice as old, central volcano in the middle of grotto, impossibly aquamarine Agean, 7000 years of habitation. I blew through 5 36-exp rolls of film in the first day and burnt myself right through 30 SPF though it was March (the sun reflects off the whitewashed bldgs), which was a nice change from the Russian winter I'd just endured. The Greek Isles are sybaritic mating Shangri-La's for Europeans, packed with spectacular slick semi-naked Euro women (mostly Mikinos).

Valerie is a sweetheart too, a slightly flaky French waif with huge sad haunting eyes- maybe she knew she only had 7 years left. The relationship is driven more by the women than Gallagher, as often really happens. I accidentally saw it in Chicago at the near end of an exhausting 4 mo. cross country expedition (with Officer + a Gentleman-hell of a twin bill) and was really moved by it, or rather the incredible Hannah, whom I instantly and totally loved. Think Jackie Kennedy made a bad mistake banning JFK Jr from marrying her- his life would have been far more fulfilled with this magnificent sweetheart than with the hard eyed Bissette, who reportedly demanded he wait for her sister and take off for Martha's Vinyard 1 1/4 hours later than he wanted, into the deadly dusk.

This movie uses songs more perfectly than almost any movie I can think of- "I'm so excited", "Everbody needs a little time away"- Chicago, at just the appropriate points. Do check it out- exp. the video, because the un-self conscious unaffected unenhanced Hannah is unequaled, and the movie is a sweet libertine gem. -------------------------------------------- Mike Hammerschlag

Sometimes, one wants their movies to be an escape tool. That's what this movie was when it was made and what it has always been. Two young people vacation on a Greek Island and meet a French woman who has led a rather eclectic life. Educated, knowledgeable about life and just plain sexy she is. A love triangle ensues without all the recriminations that would result in the real world. The only "pain and suffering" is the normal feelings of sharing a lover with another.

The funniest part is the surprise visit from the American girl's mother and best friend. For all its risqué subject matter, the movie stays on the surface of all that and plays this for fun and laughter. It's just good old-fashioned escapism along the lines of "California Dreaming," "Hollywood Knights," and other movies of that genre. It serves to introduce us to Darryl Hannah and Valerie Quennessen, who was lost in an automobile accident in the eighties.

If you're looking for a movie that will give you a few laughs, a little titillation and some harmless sexuality, this is a good choice. Who knows, it may spark some interesting conversations between you and your significant other!

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!