Great Film overall

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

n my opinion it was a great movie with some interesting elements, even though having some plot holes and the ending probably was just too messy and crammed together, but still fun to watch and not your casual movie that is similar to all other ones.

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Having been a die-hard fan of Evan Hunter's novels-turned-to-films "Blackboard Jungle" and "A Matter of Conviction" (film entitled "The Young Savages"), I was delighted to receive Hunter's novel "Last Summer" as a Christmas gift at age 14. At that age, I didn't read books straight through, but skipped and skimmed over chapters, and what I skimmed over in this book - the viciously murdered seagull and the heinous rape of outcast Rhoda committed by her three alleged "friends," one of whom was a girl - made me feel twisted and sick enough to throw the book in the trash where I felt it belonged. Ironically, I was determined to see the film based on the novel I'd trashed when it aired on syndicated TV a few years later. So much for bravery! I found the novel devastating, but it was no comparison to seeing those characters come to life on the silver screen! In truth, novelist Evan Hunter is no less than a genius. His ability to create four adolescent characters so hauntingly and painfully realistic is astounding. The casting of the film couldn't have been better. Like many viewers, I found remarkable Cathy Burns' performance as Rhoda, a Mrs Beasley lookalike whose outspoken opinions and "Old Mother Hubbard" ideals (as quoted by Sandy) make her the ideal victim of others cruelty and mockery. And the male characters, Richard Thomas as the sensitive Peter and Bruce Davison as stud-muffin wannabe Dan are equally as impressive. However, the performance I find most impressive was Barbara Hershey's portrayal of Sandy, the dominant group leader who uses her female-ness as a weapon. I couldn't help but wonder what made Sandy what she was, sexually manipulative, cruel enough to mistreat and then viciously murder a seagull she'd started out nursing back to health, and wretchedly sardonic to Rhoda whom she obviously considered inferior to everything Sandy herself excelled in. Was it a genetic chink in her psyche? Was it triggered when her mother's boyfriend made a pass at her behind her mother's back (Sandy tells the boys this while drinking beer on the beach)? Or was Sandy the type who exercised her aggression rather than kept it safely locked in the vault of fantasy? In short, I found Hershey's performance horrifically realistic to the point where I could not watch her on screen for several years to come. It wasn't until I'd learned of Hershey's own anguish and repulsion toward Sandy's treatment of the seagull to the point where she actually changed her last name to Seagull that I able to "forgive" her and enjoy her in other movie roles. Suffice it to say, "Last Summer" is not a film for everyone's tastes. Even today, nearly 50 years after this film was made, viewers will be struck by the film's realism and candidacy.

This review may contain spoilers.Three handsome teenagers, two boys and a girl, create a bond while spending the summer in Fire Island, NY. The two boys are virgins and lust after the more experienced girl who knows how to excite them, without allowing things to go too far, while manipulating them into an agenda of her own. They are joined by a homely-looking, inhibited and sensitive teen-age girl, which eventually will bring disastrous consequences.Part of brilliance of the movie is how natural it portraits these four characters. The camera allows the teens to be themselves with their physicality and lust, their notions and experimentation, following their own rhythms and placing them in a world of their own. Also brilliant is how evil is presented, first appearing into their lives as a joke at someone's expense to later manifest as true crime.Probably some viewers may object to the movie not being a morality tale presenting its characters without any redemption at all. But why should these characters learn from their actions? In real life not every young criminal has a morality crisis seeking atonement and this movie portraits its young subjects in a very realistic light.Some things may be different for teens now and in some ways the movie may appear dated. However, as a portrait of teenage alienation, lust, experimentation, group behavior, and crossing moral boundaries, this movie stands the test of time. It is a classic in its genre.

WARNING: Before you watch "Last Summer", you really need to be warned that the movie is quite adult and has a very traumatic rape scene. Many will find this too troubling--and perhaps it could bring back your own traumatic past experiences as you watch. I am not saying not to watch it--just be aware.As far as the movie goes, it's well made but quite difficult to watch--not just because of the rape but because the characters are quite often jerks--very unlikable jerks. It is set at a beach community on Long Island. Three young people (Barbara Hershey, Richard Thomas and Bruce Davison) meet and soon become friends. However, it soon becomes apparent that there is a lot of sexual tension in these new friendships and a ménage à trois of sorts is in the making. From a voyeuristic point of view, the film is rather stimulating....but any sexual excitement on the part of the viewer may quickly disappear as you begin to see that these people (when together) become jerks. It's as if alone they are normal but together their inhibitions and sense of morality diminishes. Later, when they meet a nerdy and less attractive fourth member of their little group (Catherine Burns), this becomes all the more apparent and the three original members exploit this very vulnerable new member.The acting is competent and the story is decent because it is unique and explores very dark aspects of supposedly 'typical' teens. And, fortunately, while the film has very explicit content, the director manages to hide most of what occurs through creative filming and it is not necessarily exploitational--just very, very dark. Frankly, I did not particularly enjoy the movie--it was a very tough viewing. But, it was well made and hence my overall score of 5.

"Last Summer" actually has a lot in common with such films as "The Lord of the Flies" or "The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea" in which a young boy ends up murdering and dissecting his mother's lover.It also reminds me a little bit Mendal W.Johnson shocking novel "Let's Go Play at the Adams".These are stories about children untamed.The film is unsettling not because of what these three teenagers do to their friend,but because of how little it bothers them and how easily they begin to see her as outside of humanity."Last Summer" follows the random activities of four teens during a summer on Fire Island.Rhoda is shy and overweight and targeted for teasing by the others.As sexual tensions increase,the more experienced and dominant Sandy encourages Dan and Peter to rape Rhoda.The climax of "Last Summer" is truly powerful and disturbing as it clearly shows the banality of evil.9 out of 10.