Summerland: Neon NZ Film Review

You've seen a film like Summerland many, many times before.

The redemptive tale of a recluse brought out of their shell by an unexpected pairing or meeting, a bond forming, and a heartwarming glow dished up on screen.

But yet, Jessica Swale's Summerland may still surprise you with its afterglow, despite any long-buried cynicism you may have, and any reaction to a second-half twist that's incredulous and entirely overly coincidental.

A subtle and nuanced Arterton is Alice, the "beast on the beach" as Tom Courtenay's school teacher dubs her; dubbed by the locals as a Nazi spy, Alice spends her time writing and generally being short and snippy with the locals in her seafront village home of Kent.

When she's forced to take in evacuee Frank (Bond, in an engaging and heartfelt turn) during World War II, she initially refuses, haughtily believing there has been a mistake, and making Frank less than welcome.

But when she decides it's only for a short time, the relationship begins to thaw and Alice finds herself thrust into the past and the memory of a forbidden relationship.

Summerland is bright enough, with plenty of heart and beautifully shot vistas to propel it along in its first two thirds.

Arterton's brusque and at times, wickedly tart, Alice makes a delightfully negative character to hang about with, even if the predictabilities of what the plot contrives can be signalled way off. Managing regret, aching and also loneliness, this tale of feminism and of witch-hunting in small communities is eminently watchable thanks to a subtle Arterton throughout.

Mbatha-Raw brings her usual brightness to her role as Vera, and Bond delivers a delightfully down-to-earth performance as Frank, the kid just trying to find a new home.

While the third act contrivance is a bit too much of a twist initially, the film's inevitable turn into sentiment is relatively nicely handled by Swale both behind the camera and on the writing page. It helps that Arterton sells it, even if some onscreen histrionics don't quite manage to.

Ultimately, Summerland is an intelligent period piece brought vividly to life by its two central characters.  There's a substance lurking below that's easy to break through - as long as you can stomach the contrivances and push on through, like the tried and tested English Blitz spirit.