Three Summers
{{about|the 2017 Australian film|the Brazilian film|Three Summers (2019 film)|the 1946 novel|Three Summers (novel)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Three Summers
| image = Three Summers poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name =
| director = Ben Elton
| producer = Michael Wrenn
Sue Taylor
| writer = Ben Elton
| starring = Robert Sheehan
Rebecca Breeds
| narrator =
| music =
| cinematography = Katie Milwright
| editing = Peter Pritchard{{Cite web|url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/three-summers-2017/34762/|title=Three Summers 2017|website=Screen Australia|access-date=3 December 2017}}
| studio = Invisible Republic
Taylor Media
| distributor = Transmission Films
Arclight Films
| released = {{Film date|2017|08|12|MIFF|2017|11|02|Australia|df=y}}
| runtime = 95 minutes
| country = Australia
| language = English
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Three Summers is an Australian romantic comedy film, written and directed by Ben Elton.{{cite news|title=Ben Elton reveals Aussie movie|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/upcoming-movies/adopted-aussie-ben-elton-begins-filming-his-first-australian-movie-in-wa/news-story/8c8627b5fc0d6a6e6c85e9af246dd046|access-date=2 August 2017|work=news.com.au|date=8 September 2016|language=en}}
It was filmed and is set in Western Australia, at a fictional summer music festival called 'Westival' (based on the real-life Fairbridge Festival).{{cite news|title=Three Summers, Ben Elton's ode to Fairbridge, to hit Melbourne International Film Festival|url=http://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/4778054/fairbridge-filmed-music-festival-feature-three-summers-hits-the-big-screen/|access-date=2 August 2017|work=Mandurah Mail|date=7 July 2017}} Over three consecutive years, two musicians (played by Rebecca Breeds and Robert Sheehan) meet and fall in love at the festival amidst a microcosm of Australian society. In addition to Breeds and Sheehan, the film has a large ensemble cast including Magda Szubanski, Michael Caton, Deborah Mailman, Jacqueline McKenzie and John Waters.{{cite news|title=Ben Elton "stirring the pot" of Aussie culture as his movie Three Summers shoots in WA with Rebecca Breeds and Deb Mailman|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/ben-elton-stirring-the-pot-of-aussie-culture-as-his-movie-three-summers-shoots-in-wa-with-rebecca-breeds-and-deb-mailman/news-story/177e5c70c57df45d783cf20039dd7e8d|access-date=2 August 2017|work=news.com.au|date=1 October 2016|language=en}}
The film had its world premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival on 12 August 2017,{{cite news|title=‘Three Summers’ to form MIFF centrepiece|url=http://if.com.au/Three-Summers-to-form-MIFF-centrepiece/|access-date=2 August 2017|work=IF Magazine|date=7 July 2017}} and was released nationally in Australia on 2 November.{{cite news|title=Aussie stars set to attend world premiere of Ben Elton’s new film|url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/aussie-stars-to-attend-world-premiere-of-ben-eltons-new-comedy/news-story/a34ed49dd3717ab404e5fc850de0d3b7|access-date=11 August 2017|work=news.com.au|date=10 August 2017|language=en}}
Plot
The film's main plotline revolves around a blossoming romance between its two leads, pretentious theremin player Roland (Robert Sheehan) and down-to-earth pub band fiddler Keevy (Rebecca Breeds).
The film also has a subplot about a racist bigot (played by Michael Caton) meeting a refugee boy and a group of Indigenous dancers and is re-educated.
The film contains several running gags, revolving around feminist singer Diamond and her renditions of classic Australian songs and poems, two middle-aged couples who at first seem nice and clean but are actually swingers, a girl band trio vowing to stay together but then two of the three quit, and a stern security guard who upholds the rules.
Cast
- Robert Sheehan as Roland
- Rebecca Breeds as Keevey
- John Waters as Eamon
- Deborah Mailman as Pam
- Kelton Pell as Jack
- Jacqueline McKenzie as Professor Wellborn
- Magda Szubanski as Queenie
- Michael Caton as Henry
- Caroline Brazier as Olivia
Production
Three Summers was filmed in the Peel region of Perth, Western Australia in 2016.{{Cite web |url=https://www.screenwest.com.au/film-in-wa/production/three-summers-feature-film/ |title=Three Summers |website=Screenwest |access-date=27 February 2020}}
Reception
Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 54% of critics reviewed the film positively, with an average score of 4.6/10, based on 13 reviews.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/three_summers_2017 |title=Three Summers |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=27 February 2020}}
David Stratton of The Australian wrote, "The film is worth seeing for Waters, giving a spirited portrayal of a loving father set in his ways and unable to see that times are changing, and Breeds as his lively, talented, worldly wise daughter."{{Cite web |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/david-stratton-reviews-three-summers-the-ornithologist-school-life/news-story/33520cc162e3cc8ba4609bf65dcd15cf |title=David Stratton Reviews Three Summers |last=Stratton |first=David |author-link=David Stratton |date=3 November 2017 |website=The Australian |access-date=27 February 2020}}
Conversely, Sandra Hall of the Sydney Morning Herald argued, "It's a relentlessly well-meaning film and when it's not proselytising, it's working very hard to manufacture enough laughs to make the whole mix palatable. However, the effort shows."{{Cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/three-summers-review-ben-eltons-folk-festival-comedy-strains-for-laughs-20171030-gzasnm.html |title=Three Summers review: Ben Elton's folk festival comedy labours for laughs |last=Hall |first=Sandra |author-link=Sandra Hall (writer) |date=30 October 2017 |website=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=27 February 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|6046754}}
{{Ben Elton}}
Category:Australian romantic comedy films
Category:Films set in Western Australia
Category:2010s English-language films
Category:Films with screenplays by Ben Elton
Category:Films directed by Ben Elton
Category:2017 romantic comedy films
Category:Screen Australia films
Category:Transmission Films films
Category:2010s Australian films
Category:English-language romantic comedy films
{{2010s-Australia-film-stub}}