Late Summer (2001) User Reviews

A bittersweet memory of a time of innocence

[Havan_IronOak · 8/10 · 20 May 2002]

On the eve of the opening of his first gallery show, a photographer remembers that special summer that he spent with his somewhat older cousin, the feelings that were awakened, and the unexpected turn of events behind his "best" photo.

This picture may be a short but it contains a lot of true moments. Having been at about the same age as the young man in this film, the memories that the film-maker shows, re-awoke a few memories in me as well.

The image of the older cousin in those then-hip now-hideous, calf length athletic socks... That image alone made this film worth while.

Where is he now?

[dookster55 · 9/10 · 20 October 2007]

This is listed as Chris Nee's last movie, made in 2001. Does anyone have any idea what happened to him? Just on the evidence in LAST SUMMER, I'd say he's a major talent. I just got a message telling me that my comment is not long enough. Is there a place to ask questions like mine, which hardly requires 10 lines? Just a word about LAST SUMMER. There is tension here provided by the dread that this is going to be a movie about child molestation. It is actually about child maturation. The relationship created by Nee's performance is one of profound love and nurturing without a hint of sexual misbehavior. The ending feels like the end of the young boys hopes for a sane and happy life, given the behavior of the parents, but the impact Nee's character has is so strong, the boy becomes much more than we might have expected in the beginning. A lovely movie.

Heartbreaking, and yet affirming

[tevanson · 10/10 · 5 July 2002]

There are many gay-themed films which harken back "to that time when I was 12..." Most are very poor at recapturing the feel or look of "the era," and terribly written and acted at that.

This film is not one of them. Indeed, if you don't walk away from this film changed, heartbroken, and yet full of a renewed commitment to living life, you have no heart at all. The film is both heartbreaking and affirming. The story is a simple tale of a photographer's life as a young teen just beginning to feel the stirrings of his sexuality. Sent to live with an aunt and uncle, he is profoundly influenced by his free-spirited, "carpe diem" older cousin who teaches him confidence, restores his self-esteem, and infuses him with a sense (to adopt Russell Baker's theme in "Growing Up") of competence in life. And then everything changes in an instant -- an instant captured by the young photographer's first photograph. I walked out of the theater changed by this film. That is perhaps the best definition of good cinema. David Ottenhouse has written and directed an outstanding film. His cast is astounding, capturing every nuance beautifully (including a perfect Dorchester accent!). The film's technical accomplishments are head and shoulders above those of most short (and gay short) films. This is a treasure that every cinephile should own.

great performance

[loren_1955 · 10/10 · 2 April 2006]

What a fantastic coming of age film. David Otterhouse created a short masterpiece of the beautiful relationship between a young boy and his older teenage cousin. Chris Nee did a wonderful performance creating a genuine sense of caring and love for his younger cousin. David Otterhouse captured a time and innocence of being 17-18 years old as seen through the eyes of a 12 year old. The era was captured well, the Boston accent added much. A beautiful representation of real true love with no sexual innuendo. Magnificent.

I would recommend the short movie for anyone to see. I was touched. Thanks David Otterhouse.

emotionally bang-on

[klc-16 · 17 February 2009]

Is there anyone, watching this film, that wouldn't fall for the older cousin, Josh? He is not only beautiful, but much more important, he is kind, caring, playful, and wise. His influence on his younger cousin, Adam - whose father has just died - is reassuring and life-giving. More to the point, he accepts Adam as he is - and allows him to accept himself, even before he really understands who he is. One of the most wonderful moments I have ever seen in a film, is the moment when Adam is taken skinny dipping by Josh; Adam doesn't dare take off his underwear, and when getting out of the water, covers his genitals in shame. Josh, while helping him get dressed says, so completely matter-of-factly: "It's called a bone, Adam. You can get'em whenever you want!" What a wonderful way to deal with a young man's sexual feelings! No judgments... no uneasiness about the situation, just the facts... and freedom. Would that we could all have such wisdom! The entire film rests on the shoulders of Chris Nee, and the assured direction of David Ottenhouse. If either had made the slightest false moves, the entire film would have fallen flat. But it doesn't. From start to finish, it works. My only negative is the parents, especially the father, who seems to be disapproving all the time, but we have no indication of what or why. But this really makes no difference to the main story line, which is totally about the two cousins. Why have we never heard more from either Nee or Ottenhouse? They both were on a completely top professional level.

Solid, nothing more

[Horst_In_Translation · 4/10 · 31 March 2017]

"Late Summer" is an American English-language short film from 2001, so this one had its 15th anniversary last year. The writer and director is David Ottenhouse and this 25-minute film is probably still his easily most known work to date. Same goes for all the cast members probably as none of them have really had a breakthrough on a big scale, with the exception of Charlie Day from "Always Sunny" who plays a small supporting role in here. This is as so many other gay-themed short films a little movie about sexual awakening. It's the story of a teenage boy who spends the summer with his slightly older cousin and discovers what he really wants. Or so we are supposed to believe because it is included on "Boys Life", namely edition 5 and this is probably also the reason why this film has not turned into oblivion in the last almost two decades. I think it's a bit too melodramatic for its own good at the end, but hey stuff like that happens (always out of nowhere) and at least they kept it somewhat realistic before that, also in terms of the cousin's sexuality. This is nothing you can say about most gay-themed short films sadly. So yeah it's better than many others of these, but still not good enough to let me recommend it and I am not too sad or too surprised to see that Ottenhouse has not made another film since 2001 and is possibly retired, at least in terms of film now. Not one component from this slightly under half an hour made me wanting for more. I give it a thumbs-down. Not recommended.

just beautiful

[Kirpianuscus · 12 March 2017]

or touching or impressive. for its convincing simplicity. for the silence who complete the dialogues. for the science of David Ottenhouse to do, in right manner, a film of states. because it is about only about a meet. almost magical. between two cousins, a summer, discoveries and meaning of life. and, sure, about the best picture ever. because behind it is the end of childhood who becomes one with the late summer. a simple and intense, delicate and powerful film. generous and tender and the right tool for reinvent the flavor and images and sounds of an unique age. and nothing more. because all is well known, by each viewer, in profound manner. the film has the the virtue only to remind that.