Literally dozens of coming of age movies set on Southern California beaches have been made since the surf culture took off in the 1960's. This one features a 13 year old boy nicknamed Minnesota (Percy Hynes White of The Gifted) who recently moved to LA and is training to be a junior life guard.
I grew up in the 80s in a beach town so I feel strong nostalgia with the movie subject. I was disappointed in the overall story but liked individual scenes.
With such high ratings I was intrigued since I fall into that mid 80's group of teenagers. Unfortunately this was a childish effort which was neither funny nor emotional.
This is Bill Kiely's and David Harris' first feature film and I have been very well impressed by them. Because writing something fresh and entertaining over such an exploited material (first Summer, first Kiss, coming of Age...
There must have been favors owed or nepotism in the casting. The kid who played the lead looked like a holocaust survivor.
I usually like these coming of age summer films, but this was a strange one. The official movie description keeps saying 1986, yet 1983 is written on the chalk board and the newspaper headline in the movie.
Judging by the high ratings (Two 10's? Really?
This will remind everyone of their favorite summer. The movie is beautifully shot in a California beach town and in the ocean in a way that makes you feel you just spent your summer there.
A warm, heart touching retro piece that will take everyone back to that special summer of their youth. Set in a quiet Cali beach town, it brings together a cast of seasoned veterans and fresh new faces that come together perfectly in their roles.
