Amorous Michael (hunky Peter Gallagher) and his sweet girlfriend Cathy (Daryl Hannah at her most charming and delectable) are an American couple vacationing on the Greek island of Santorini. Michael has a fling with alluring, exotic and uninhibited French archaeologist Lina (the mesmerizing Valerie Quennessen). Michael tells Cathy about his infidelity and Cathy goes out of her way to meet Lina. Cathy becomes so enamored of Lina that she agrees to a menage a trois relationship. Writer/director Randal Kleiser offers a good-natured and engrossing love story between three people that works as both a happy and dynamic ode to the free'n'easy early 80's sexual revolution and a provocative commentary on preconceived notions about monogamy and so-called "normal" relationships. Moreover, Kleiser handles the copious nudity and feverish sensuality in a tasteful and matter-of-fact way; this film never becomes sleazy or exploitative despite the racy subject matter. Instead a positively infectious spirit of carefree fun and innocence pervades throughout. The three attractive leads all give appealingly warm and natural performances, with the strikingly comely, poised and charismatic Quennessen rating as the stand-out of the bunch. Barbara Rush contributes a funny cameo as Cathy's loving, but disapproving mother Jean and Carole Cook is a total hoot as Jean's cheery friend Barbara. Timothy Galfas' bright, glossy cinematography vividly evokes a palpably lush and languid sultry atmosphere. The infectiously bouncy rock soundtrack adds immensely to the bubbly, upbeat merriment. An offbeat, enjoyable and underrated little delight.
Review of Summer Lovers
