hughman55 Review of Last Summer

Last Summer (1969)

I don't think this was meant to be a good film. Mission accomplished.

[2/10 · 19 February 2013]

There isn't anything very good in this film. The screenplay is flippant and shallow with a 60's style beach blanket bingo veneer containing pointless cruelty and rape. The performances from Hershey and Burns are good. Bruce Davidson gives no hint that he will become excellent though. And Richard Thomas, is Richard Thomas. What you see is what you get: cute, and serviceable as an actor. The killing of the pet seagull, and the gang rape at the end of the film, only make any sense in the plot if they are presented as the early manifestations of three burgeoning sociopathic co-serial killer/rapists practicing on their first victims. These types often begin with animals, the seagull, and then move to human victims, Catherine Burns. But that is not how this story is presented or written. It is just poured into your lap as "kids can be so mean sometimes". Well, there's "mean", and then there's "gang rape". And, if you're the ring leader in a gang rape, Barbara Hershey, this is just the beginning. But instead of the creepy scene, as in Hannibal Lecter at the pay phone foreshadowing the worst yet to come, this creepy little film just ends with all the rapists walking into a beautiful sunset, role credits... It should also be noted that the sound mixing is total crap. The ambient music covered up the dialogue in several places. And considering this screenplay, that may have been the point. If you like young hot bods in tight swimwear and don't mind pointless cruelty, this films for you. Count me out. I'd rather watch a lion take down a Zebra on Wildlife Kingdom. At least the violence I'm grossed out by there has a useful purpose in the food chain.