'Summertime' Review - A Poetic Tribute to the City of Angels

via Sundance Institute

After his debut feature Blindspotting became a critical hit and landed him a DGA First Time Feature nomination, director Carlos Lopez Estrada became one of the hottest directors on the market. He has since been courted by Disney Animation to develop new animated projects, but before that, Estrada used his newfound clout to make a crucial dissection of modern life from overlooked voices. Working with a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization called Get Lit, and a group of 27 young poets (who are credited writers on the film), the collection of talent share their unique stories via spoken word in Summertime.

Conceptually, Summertime sets itself apart immediately. For those who have seen Blindspotting, think of the Daveed Diggs' monologue towards the end of the movie - that's the kind of power delivered by the cast of poets here from beginning to end. Premiering in the Sundance Film Festival’s NEXT category (which houses films with innovative and forward-thinking approaches to filmmaking) the story is told through a series of dramatic vignettes centered around different characters, performing poetry to express their distinct perspective; however, this is not an anthology-style assembly of unrelated segments. Instead, Estrada, along with writer Dave Harris, interconnects all these individual moments to form a larger story; one that's both a love letter to Los Angeles and also to a generation of teenagers and 20-somethings.

via Sundance Institute

Each featured poet wrote their own original pieces, either beforehand or specifically for the movie. Every single one breathes a sense a truth that many can relate to, whether it be about how overpriced food can be, to being proud of your sexual identity, the lust for fame, or confronting your inner demons. Not every poem or performance lands, especially when an absolute banger is immediately followed by something lesser, but even the weaker sections contain recognizable truths. 

Carlos Lopez Estrada's directing style suits this story by bringing each poet’s words to the forefront. His music video background does feel present but in the best way possible, seen in the impeccable staging of his actors and tactical movement of his camera. When characters are reciting a piece, you feel connected to them and are visually enticed to engage with every word they say. The fact that Estrada took on such an unconventional and bold project rather than jumping on a studio film is worth some praise on its own, but the fact that it is so effective in its execution is an even greater achievement. The Slacker-esque similarities will be seen, but Summertime rises above any conventional comparison. It’s one of the most unique films you will see coming out of this year’s Sundance. A combination of poetic comedy and heartbreak from the experiences of people you rarely see on the big screen, Summertime depicts a side of Los Angeles traditionally neglected by mainstream movies and amplifies the voices of some of the most marginalized communities.