Sometimes, a movie proves to be exactly what one expects it to be, and that's perfectly fine. Summerland, a dreamy British period drama, falls into this category without question, though there are some surprises packed in that stop it from being completely predictable. Still, it's safe to say audiences will know what they are getting into if they settle down to watch this. Written and directed by Jessica Swale, this film doesn't reinvent the genre or its well-trodden World War II setting, but it can offer comfort to those looking for a heartwarming tale of found family and the importance of stories. Between its familiar premise and genuine performances, Summerland is occasionally hindered by melodrama, but is overall a very sweet film.
Gemma Arterton stars as Alice Lamb, a prickly and reclusive writer living on the coast of England in the midst of WWII. Her solitary life is disrupted by the arrival of Frank (Lucas Bond), a sensitive young evacuee from London in need of a temporary home. Alice does not take kindly to Frank's presence at first, citing her work as being of far more importance, but as Alice gradually lets Frank into her life, the two forge a deep bond. At the same time, Alice finds herself reminiscing about a passionate, fairytale-like relationship she shared with fellow academic Vera (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), which partially led to her closing herself off from the world. The story is bookended by glimpses of Alice decades later (played by Penelope Wilton) as she strives to complete her next manuscript.
For its first half, Summerland is exactly the movie one would expect it to be as Alice and Frank come together in fits and starts. Arterton does an excellent job at conveying Alice's initial aversion to other people, as well as her softer side as she shares her interests with Frank and sees them reciprocated. Swale depicts the dreamy nature of the countryside setting well and takes care to really show why Alice and Frank make a good pair. Almost exactly halfway through Summerland, though, a twist arrives that sends the film careening into some melodramatic moments that feel at odds with what came before. The twist, for the record, is advertised in Summerland's trailer and is soon overshadowed by a second twist that briefly strains against realism before its explanation comes to light.
It's during this overly-dramatic section that Summerland loses some of its magic, but only slightly. The film is very much grounded in Alice and Frank's relationship, and it's hard not to feel genuine emotions as they struggle with their new hardships. Arterton and Bond have a nice chemistry that comes through exceptionally well during the moments where Alice and Lucas talk about the concept of "Summerland," or a sort of Pagan heaven. Their dynamic is arguably the most predictable piece of Summerland (as the found family concept has been done many times before), but it's also what makes the film as a whole so comforting.
As Summerland focuses so much on Alice and Frank, Mbatha-Raw's Vera doesn't get much development beyond her appearances in hazy flashbacks to the late 1920s. Mbatha-Raw still shines, though, as a freer, lively foil to the reserved Alice. While it doesn't quite get as much attention as her relationship with Lucas, Alice's past with Vera is still an important part of the film, and Swale does a nice job at showing how those shared moments still affect Alice years later. It won't come as much of a surprise to know that Vera does resurface beyond the flashbacks, but it's certainly a welcome return.
Summerland also features some good supporting performances through Dixie Egerickx as Frank's friend Edie and Tom Courtenay as the local school's headmaster Mr. Sullivan. Still, though, Summerland is very much Alice and Frank's story. Watching the two grow closer is undoubtedly the sweetest part of the film, especially because their relationship is strengthened by genuine moments of understanding (Frank's calm acceptance of Alice's relationship with a woman, as well as Alice's grateful reaction, is a standout). At no point does Summerland attempt to be something more than what it is, but that's okay. Sometimes all one needs is a comforting story about the people we choose to let in to our lives when we need them most.
Summerland is now playing in select theaters and on VOD. It is 100 minutes long and Not Rated.