Summerland is a new war drama directed and written by Jessica Swale. This is the first major film she has directed and written, as she has only directed short films before.
The film is set during the Second World War. To work on her writing, Alice (Gemma Arterton) retreats to the seaside cliffs in Dover in southern England. In her solitude, she tries to work on important books about the scientific proof that myths and magic don't exist. When she opens the door one day, she is asked to take care of the runaway boy Frank (Lucas Bond). Alice tries to take care of Frank, but prefers that he go to another hiding place as soon as possible, so that she can continue working on her books. Despite the fact that she tries to be aloof towards Frank, a bond between the two develops thanks to his innocence and curiosity. In this way she is confronted with her past and she learns that she may have to experience her life in a different way
This film has a beautiful and emotional story about how people try to hide their emotions and feelings in difficult times. Without this really helping them. Despite the fact that at a time the film seems obvious, it still keeps a beautiful and inspiring story. Jessica Swale has beautifully juxtaposed the scenes of the main character where the film jumps from the now to the past.
Director Jessica Swale and photography director Laurie Rose, have also portrayed many scenes and places of the film in a nice and fitting way. The sea cliff of Dover comes across as a summer location where you can forget your problems for a moment.
The acting is also done well by the cast. Gemma Arterton comes across as the Oscar-winning role that Jack Nicholson played in the 1997 film As Good As It Gets in this role. Together with Lucas Bond, she has a good chemistry that changes her character throughout the film. In the Flashback scenes, Gemma Arterton also has a good chemistry with the character of Gugu Mbatha-Raw who plays an old friend of hers in the movie. Dixie Egerickx also comes out well in this film as a friend of Lucas Bond's character. She shows with this role that she can be a good young actress if she has a good script to work with. In the same weekend she was also seen in the movie The Secret Garden where she came across as too negative because of a less script.
The film is set during the Second World War. To work on her writing, Alice (Gemma Arterton) retreats to the seaside cliffs in Dover in southern England. In her solitude, she tries to work on important books about the scientific proof that myths and magic don't exist. When she opens the door one day, she is asked to take care of the runaway boy Frank (Lucas Bond). Alice tries to take care of Frank, but prefers that he go to another hiding place as soon as possible, so that she can continue working on her books. Despite the fact that she tries to be aloof towards Frank, a bond between the two develops thanks to his innocence and curiosity. In this way she is confronted with her past and she learns that she may have to experience her life in a different way
This film has a beautiful and emotional story about how people try to hide their emotions and feelings in difficult times. Without this really helping them. Despite the fact that at a time the film seems obvious, it still keeps a beautiful and inspiring story. Jessica Swale has beautifully juxtaposed the scenes of the main character where the film jumps from the now to the past.
Director Jessica Swale and photography director Laurie Rose, have also portrayed many scenes and places of the film in a nice and fitting way. The sea cliff of Dover comes across as a summer location where you can forget your problems for a moment.
The acting is also done well by the cast. Gemma Arterton comes across as the Oscar-winning role that Jack Nicholson played in the 1997 film As Good As It Gets in this role. Together with Lucas Bond, she has a good chemistry that changes her character throughout the film. In the Flashback scenes, Gemma Arterton also has a good chemistry with the character of Gugu Mbatha-Raw who plays an old friend of hers in the movie. Dixie Egerickx also comes out well in this film as a friend of Lucas Bond's character. She shows with this role that she can be a good young actress if she has a good script to work with. In the same weekend she was also seen in the movie The Secret Garden where she came across as too negative because of a less script.