L’estate addosso [Summertime] *** (2016, Brando Pacitto, Matilda Lutz, Taylor Frey, Joseph Haro) – Classic Movie Review 12,777

The sweet and charming, maybe more bitter-sweet 2016 Italian romantic comedy film L’estate addosso [Summertime] just goes to show that, against all odds, four’s company. He loves her, she loves him, he loves him.

Director Gabriele Muccino’s sweet and charming, maybe more bitter-sweet 2016 Italian romantic comedy film L’estate addosso [Summertime] stars Brando Pacitto, Matilda Lutz, Taylor Frey, and Joseph Haro. It just goes to show that, against all odds, four’s company. He loves her, she loves a different him, and he loves another him.

Taylor Frey and Joseph Haro play Matt and Paul, a gay couple living in San Francisco who take into their lovely home two Italian strangers Marco and Maria (Brando Pacitto, Matilda Lutz) travelling from Rome one perfect summer. Even though Marco is worrying about his uncertain future and the afterlife, and falling for Maria, who is falling for Matt, a good time is had by all. Now is all we have.

Apart from Maria’s amazing and all-too-quick change from homophobe and life denier to fun-loving free spirit, it is all quite credible, as well as very appealing. It’s quite a complex little story of frustrated relationships, with most of the film given over to the two straight Italians, and the gay Americans finally sidelined. Hard to say who of the foursome is the most appealing character, but maybe it’s Matt, which is partly down to Taylor Frey’s attractive performance.

The photography by Paolo Caimi, picturesque views, and Jovanotti’s soundtrack are an enormous help to enjoyment.

L’estate addosso [Summertime] is directed by Gabriele Muccino, runs 103 minutes, is written by Gabriele Muccino and Dale Nall, is shot by Paolo Caimi, is produced by Marco Cohen, Fabrizio Donvito and Benedetto Habib, and is scored by Jovanotti.

It premiered at the Venice Film Festival on 1 September 2016.

The cast are Brando Pacitto as Marco, Matilda Lutz as Maria, Taylor Frey as Matt, Joey Haro as Paul, Timothy Martin as Ken, Jessica Rothe as Jules, Tatiana Luter as Amy, Laura Cayouette as Paul’s Mom, and Scott Bakula as Paul’s Father.

Taylor Frey stars in 2023’s Shoulder Dance. He played Don Hagerty in It Chapter Two (2019).

Frey married American actor and singer Kyle Dean Massey in 2016 in Palm Springs, California, and live in West Hollywood. They welcomed their daughter, Rafa Massey-Frey, via surrogate on 31 October 2021.

© Derek Winnert 2024 – Classic Movie Review 12,777

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