Capturing the raw emotion and juvenile mindset of everyday adolescents, Jordan Vogt-Roberts' The Kings of Summer is a film that truly understands the struggles and insecurities of today's youth. The film cleverly captures all of those qualities from a fresh, simplistic angle, offering up a unique and captivating story that will leave you yearning for more.
Nick Robinson, Gabriel Basso and Moisés Arias play three high school friends who decide to spend their summer building a house in the woods and living off the land. Free from their parents' rules and regulations each one of them embraces their independence, transitioning from boys to men as they develop a sense of who they are and what they stand for. But independent life isn't all fun and games; their summer quickly becomes a true test of friendship as each learns to appreciate the life they live and those whom they share it with.
A stellar supporting cast complements our three leads, but in truth the heart of this film lies within the confines of its story. And sure, several aspects of the plot would never happen in today's society. But at its core, The Kings of Summer possesses so much wit, charm and charisma that you can't help but overlook the minor flaws and feel a sense of magic in the air as you witness the development of three boys as they come to terms with their lives and begin to understand that there is more to living than just them.
Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts does a splendid job with his young cast, molding them together to represent one cohesive unit. You can't help but question their relationship outside the structure of the story as you fall into the adventure with them, enjoying the ride of a lifetime as you live out the summer you wish you had.
Soft and intimate cinematography shines a pleasant eye on the visual aspects of the film while the editing proves to be a major component of the overall experience. And while the film doesn't feature the usual summer flair, you can't help but respect and adore this Sundance Film Festival winner"”it has an allure that is simply too strong to ignore.
