Summerland (2020)

Directed by: Jessica Swale | 99 minutes | drama, romance | Actors: Gemma Arterton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Penelope Wilton, Tom Courtenay, Lucas Bond, Dixie Egerickx, Siân Phillips, Amanda Root, Jessica Gunning, David Horovitch, Martina Laird, Amanda Lawrence

Halfway through World War II, we meet Alice (Gemma Arterton), an ambitious writer who hides herself daily in her study on the cliffs of Dover, England. Alice is deeply fascinated by myths and folktales, something she, unlike her conservative villagers, can’t get enough of. Alice is not particularly popular in the village because of her quirkiness. She spends all her time indoors, is unkind to small children and always manages to evade her responsibilities. What’s the matter with her? Could she be a spy for the Germans?

Her life as a hermit comes to an end, however, when she has to take care of the young Frank (Lucas Bond) who has fled from London. At first she tries to get rid of the boy, but over time they get to know each other better. Frank’s arrival also brings all kinds of emotions and secrets from her past to the surface, leading to a surprising, if not somewhat manipulative, revelation.

Without much audacity, ‘Summerland’ is a suitable film for an older audience, carried by a good cast and with a good dose of British nostalgia. The film also benefits from Larie Rose’s careful cinematography, which gives the English landscape a prominent place in a fine reconstruction of the 1940s. And yet there are several things missing from the film, from a lack of insight into the time period, to a wavering character arc.

The time and place of ‘Summerland’ is a recurring thematic problem. The Second World War serves as a background, as a framework, but otherwise has little influence on the plot. What does it add, apart from the obligation imposed on Alice to look after Frank? Not much, unfortunately, other than the dramatic twist in the second half of the film, with the arrival of an entirely new plot point.

The need for these two stories suggests a lack of confidence in the first part, which is unfortunate. It is not necessarily necessary to add extra drama to please the spectators. A little more depth in the time period could have offered a lot. For example, show how the villagers deal with the constant threat of war. Or show how Frank adapts to his new way of life in the village. But these are things the film barely addresses.

‘Summerland’ is a good movie. It is well played and contains some very nice visuals. However, there is not much depth. For some viewers this will be a shame, while for others it may be pleasant. It undoubtedly enables you as a spectator to continue watching it, but whether the film subsequently leaves lasting memories is a completely different story.