Just so...so bad

Disturbing yet enthralling

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Be very sure you are aware this is not first and formost as story about two teen gay guys with a bit of typical angst and one of them is going off to college and the other is staying behind in Nowheresville. Its about pretty scenes like rain drops on plants, spider webs, beucolic pastures with a cow, long (too long) shots of car parts, trees, nature, etc., you get the message. It's beautifuly shot images are beautifully shot as far as images go but the actual story drags and goes essentially nowhere and then ends. I was disappointed. I see it was written, directed and edited by the same person, so a pictorial ego trip.

A beautiful, evocative, complex movie. Possibly to have the full emotional impact on the viewer, it must find resonance in the store of memories of the viewer. I cannot say whether someone who grew up in an urban setting or in a different culture would be as affected, but there should be some degree of universality to the experience of bonding to another in childhood and facing the prospect of separation and the imperative to follow separate paths.The young actors who play Jonah and Luke do a superb job and the few supporting cast are good, but the greatest superlatives go to the director, the writer and especially the cinematographer. The visual presentation with accompanying sounds, is almost overwhelming in quantity and effect. The surrounding woods and greenery, rain falling, polished wood floors and furniture, weathered wood out buildings , church bells, chiming clocks, a passing freight train and the sad sound of its horn, wind chimes, metal surfaces, the boys together, all stir memories either real or imagined. Its nuanced subtlety is far more powerful than would have been achieved through a series of more deliberate actions and excess dialogue. Rob Reiner's "Stand By Me" was a wonderful film that stirred memories of childhood and the coming to terms with inevitable change, but it pales in emotional impact compared to "Last Summer."Luke carries the label of "slow learner" and is repeating some classes in high school in order to be done with school, but has no idea what he will do next. Outwardly he is at peace with himself, is resigned to Jonah leaving for college, prefers remaining in "the shade of his own backyard," but beneath the surface he is deeply saddened at the prospect of separating from Jonah. At one time he tells Jonah he only wants to be with him and suggests the optimistic possibility that Jonah could return one day. "This place isn't going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere." But inwardly he knows full well that Jonah will meet new people who will love him and will never return. Jonah asks Luke several times to tell him not to go, but Luke refuses. Luke tells a teacher that Jonah is too good for all this … recognizing that "Some people feel so comfortable in one place, and others feel trapped." His love for Jonah and a mature understanding of their different natures and abilities prevents him from asking Jonah not to go. Jonah is equally conflicted by his love for Luke, his sense of happiness (when he learns he was adopted) that he was never meant to be in this place, his fear of change and his need to escape from the small town trap where he feels unrelated to everyone and to everything about him, aside from Luke.A wonderful film that is sure to stir memories and emotions for many … and I suppose fall flat for those with entirely different experiences or those who disdain sentiment. Certainly anyone who feels a good movie must have car chases, special effects and zombies will be disappointed. I was going to give it a 9 since a 10 would imply perfection, but even after a second viewing I could think of nothing that would justify the loss of a perfect rating.

Two life-long friends and lovers face their first parting when one heads off to college. That's it. Period. And we really only know that because that's what we're told. If that hadn't been spelled out for us at the beginning of the movie, we'd have no idea what was going on.Both boys seem unrealistically pragmatic about spending one last summer together. What most kids in this situation would consider traumatic doesn't seem to phase these two. Maybe knowing each other since third grade has left them with nothing more to say. Because they don't say much, and what they do say is curiously devoid of emotional content.So it leaves you feeling a little hollow, even though the overall artiness more or less demands that we value the content of this film. It's like, "this is art, dammit, and you WILL appreciate it!"Well, I do and I don't. Much of the photography IS striking, but what we see mostly are scenes that might as well be stills, and most of those are in close up. The actors are so immobile I couldn't help feeling they were trying to help the DP keep the shot in focus. I didn't hate this, but I can't say I enjoyed it. It's pretty, the boys are pretty, and, mercifully, it's only 66 minutes long, so, you know, why complain? Well, because it doesn't add up to much.

"The truth is, I idolize him."Welcome to Arkansas, where it's hot and you want to nap... a lot.Emotionally accurate narration accompanies fanciful camera-work and the blissfully quaint lives of Luke and Jonah who have grown up together, developed a symbiotic and romantic relationship, and are facing a looming hurdle as Jonah prepares to leave for college and a seemingly more exciting existence than the dronings on of their rural Arkansas hometown.. but what of Luke?Jonah idolizes Luke, while Luke claims Jonah is good at everything - expressing shared authentic admiration. Luke and Jonah battle their burgeoning feelings toward each other whilst coming to terms with Jonah's eventual departure.The script, on its own, could barely fill a short essay yet adds a clash of diary- esque poetry to the film's reflective visuals. The visuals mirror the complex emotions shared between the leading roles in an impressionist fashion. Picturesque views, extreme closeups, and an emphasis on capturing faint, easily missed yet charming moments of every day interaction are emphasized for effect.Not your typical, abrasively expressive gay-themed film.. This is a still, whispering romance of a gentle kind. Deep stares, hand touching, shared nature walks, and napping embraces dominate screen time.The film takes on a slow pace, yet remains on plot while oozing a simple yet heartfelt charm.