Written and directed by Jared Isaac, An Autumn Summer is a tender and lovely exploration of adolescence and the connections we make along the way. Perfect for viewers who care about quiet stories and honest conversations, there’s a lot to appreciate here, especially where the cinematography is concerned. Plus, it reminded me a bit of Every Year After, which is a win because while we often associate the summer months with bright colors, the more muted approach feels more natural to the summers many of us used to know.
There’s something really hard about watching movies centered around teenagers when they’re at this heartbreaking point of uncertainty in their lives, and yet, I tune in every time, waiting for the moment where it’ll crack everything in me wide open again. An Autumn Summer does this gorgeously during the third act, delivering quiet moments that are full of depth through every performance.
I knew Lukita Maxwell was a star the moment she made her first appearance on Shrinking, and that much is true in her role in An Autumn Summer. The natural charm she brings to Cody shimmers with the sunlight, and though we don’t get to know too much about her character, there’s a loyalty she projects that feels comforting to watch. But Maxwell isn’t the only great performer—everyone delivers something exceptional when they’re on camera, allowing their characters to come to life in a riveting manner.
The movie’s biggest flaw is often my own biased opinion in that when it comes to a romance, I always want to see more of the beginning to feel a bigger connection between the characters. It’s certainly there with the familiarity they bring to life, but it would’ve hit twice as hard if we got some of those early stages, too.
Still, it’s pleasantly surprising that we get to an endgame that’s relatively hopeful and not dreary or too melancholy for the sake of a more dramatic ending. It’s what I often expect from movies like this, so the surprising turn of events makes it far more enjoyable. There’s something innately vulnerable about how these characters engage with one another that makes the feature stand out. Movies that rely on conversations to showcase the passage of time and the way we get to know characters are more rare than they should be, yet An Autumn Summer does this effectively, leaving us with a lot to think about after the credits roll.
Lastly, and more than anything, Isaac’s visuals are indeed the most impressive part of the movie. Stunning in a way that can only be described as picturesque. Every moment, from the first shot to the last, gleams, giving us the type of movie that’s genuinely gorgeous. If this is a debut, I can’t see what else is next.
An Autumn Summer is an honest, heartwarming love letter to found families in more ways than one, and if that’s a trope you gravitate toward, don’t skip this one this season.
An Autumn Summer is now available for digital purchase.
First Featured Image Credit: ©Practical