L'été indien

This movie brought back so many memories of Ocean City, Maryland. My husband and I met there and we had so many fond memories.....we were together 33 years years and since his passing two years ago, I find myself traveling to the ocean to recapture that peace and tranquility we both had there. The movie lets me see and remember those things that young people experience in a small resort town. We lived there during the late 60's early 70's and the movie pinpointed one of the buildings we had lived in during that time, what a pleasure it was to watch the actors walk through places that my husband and I had shared many years ago......thank you!

I liked the writing in this movie. I felt it to be very realistic. Acting was authentic. I liked the fathers advice and the wife Ruth is truly a person I admired how she dealt with the situation. As I said well written for true life type of situation that could happen. People with integrity such a pleasure to see in a movie. Well done.

This movie is a natural for me because, when I was young I wanted to grow up to be Kevin Kline and I wanted Sissy Spacek as my girlfriend. It didn't quite work out that way.

Here she is August "Gussie" Sawyer and he is Henry Squires, high school sweethearts in this Maryland coastal town. When his father died Henry had to take over the newspaper while Gussie wanted to see the world and became a prominent photojournalist, traveling all over the world on assignments.

Now some 15 years later Gussie returns to her hometown for a visit, she finds Henry there happily married and with a 13-yr-old son. But as soon as they meet they see the passion is still there. Henry's wife is devoted but not stupid, she recognizes what is going on.

The last half of the movie is a morality play of sorts, does Henry give in to the mutual desires and leave with Gussie to team up for a big assignment, and probably leave his family for good? Or does he do the right thing and honor his marriage vows, and be a good husband and father?

This isn't a particularly novel theme but with the actors and direction it is a worthwhile movie. Of note the director is Jack Fisk, the real-life husband of Sissy Spacek, in fact as of now, 2020, they have been married for 46 years.

This movie doesn't have a lot of great visuals (with the exception of a quick shot of Kevin Kline's cute, naked butt). It doesn't have fast-paced action.....But the story and the acting make it a great film. Kline, Spacek, and Bedelia put in some great performances, and they make this film an intense drama, with their subtle and realistic portrayals. It's certainly not the best film any of those actors ever did, but it is truly a joy to watch them in.

Gussie Sawyer (Sissy Spacek) and Henry Squires (Kevin Kline) were high school sweethearts in a small seaside town. She left to be a globetrotting photographer, first for fashion and then news and finally war. After more than a decade, she goes home for a visit. Henry is now married to Ruth Squires (Bonnie Bedelia) with a teenage son.

I've never heard of this movie. It seems to be a minor flop at the box office. The cast is top level. Director Jack Fisk is married to Sissy. The writer is mother to a couple of big time Gyllenhaals. The question becomes whether these connections are enough. Certainly, they got some big name talents to join the project. That does make this intriguing simply for their presence. The premise is fine if somewhat challenging. After all, they are breaking up a happy family. The pacing is leisurely like the location until the dinner. Then it's a leisurely jog. The story is simple. This is most intriguing for individual moments of performances.