My First Summer (2020) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
20 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
6/10
Nice try
anthonyjlangford27 March 2021
There's some obvious lack of experience here but as a first feature on a low budget, the effort and potential is evident too.

The real star in the cinematography. Just beautiful. First class. The locations and light are also wonderful but that's the cinematographer bringing it to life. Country Victoria is prime cinematic territory.

The music too is also very good.

A little irony there as with a female writer/director, female main cast and a lesbian story, it's Matthew Chuang who shines.

It's often slow and dull. The story seems thin and unrealistic. It doesn't hold water. (Excuse the pun). If there had been some maturity in the screenplay, the deficiencies in the story could have been overcome. The two leads deserved some more interaction with some substance. All that time alone with not enough going on between them. Markella Kavenagh isn't always convincing either but much of that is her character. It's not a realistic one.

All of the supporting cast have cliched dialogue and a lack of realism. This is again, down to the writing.

The direction is nice at times. The lipstick scene in particularly is quite touching.

The editor and director working together have wisely chosen some of those beautiful images to insert along the way. The close ups of the flowers etc. Or that could have been the intent all along. I keep coming back to that because it's the standout.

I know nothing about the director but hopefully she is young and in time, will develop. Certainly in the screenplay department. Often directors think they're writers too. Rare is the person who can successfully pull off both. There's certainly a lot to like. Just not there yet.

A good effort.
18 out of 27 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Surprising
luvid30 June 2021
Was so cute, even when it was evident that they had low budget I think they did it great, the photography was beautiful, the story kind of interesting, and the actresses were absolutely fenomenal, I was really surprised of how I liked it.
7 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Beautiful movie
kimcardoso-8691519 June 2021
Cute, gay and summery, (which is everything I was looking for) while also dealing with hard topics. If your looking for some soft and girly coming of age story this one is for you <3

PS: tw suicide! The mc's mom took her own life and she's dealing with trauma.
7 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Unexpectedly wonderful
kendall_C847 March 2021
I'm an Aussie who often does not enjoy Aussie films, despite my constant attempts to. This movie was a wonderful surprise - the setting was perfect for the story, and the young actors were so natural and authentic. The story is a beautiful coming of age tale, an innocent navigation of loss, human connection and sexuality. The music is lovely and the chemistry between the leads fills the screen. Nothing is over or under delivered - it all feels perfectly balanced. I'm hoping this film gets dvd release soon as I want to send it to friends overseas!
31 out of 38 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Something very special
mmrrbb-3932710 March 2021
Warning. Suicide content. I watched this movie this morning in bed feeling miserable with a cold awaiting a Covid test. I recommend watching it in bed, somehow feeling cocooned by my doona helped me be more fully emmersed and comforted as required. What a gem of a movie! I love Australian film and still very much enjoy handing over my money at the box office to take a seat in front of the big screen whenever a new Australian film is released.. Somehow I missed this one. This poignant story explores the honesty of what it is to be a girl and the unpredictability of transitioning to womanhood. It weaves the complexities of truth, trust, trauma and loss with the terrifyingly wonderful ideas of love and friendship. The sensitivity in which the difficult subject of mental Ill health and suicide are dealt with is to be applauded. The gentleness takes nothing away from the experience. Washed with a quintessential Australian flavour, the professionalism of two amazing young actresses and you are left feeling you have just been part of something very special.
20 out of 27 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Beautiful film
saylaveeproductions29 April 2021
I loved everything about this film: the direction, the performances, the camera work, the editing, the music.....

Amazing effort for a first time feature director.

Looking forward to seeing what Katie Found does next!
6 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
2/10
Lowlight in recent Australian cinema
damien-5326511 March 2021
This film has plenty of promise, and for the most part, is very well shot. It is also great to see a film dealing with LBGTQI issues outside of homophobia.

But this is just a dull and unrealistic portrayal of youth in regional Australia, and the ending is trite. At no point was the dialogue convincing, or the story believable, and all the pretty bird calls doesn't make it worth your time.

If you want to see great Australian cinema, watch Babyteeth, which is beautiful and heart-breaking, The Nightingale, or the True History of the Kelly Gang.

Or better still, go outside and listen to the birds.
13 out of 39 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
A wonderful and original story, perfectly told.
andrewbunney26 October 2020
16 year old Claudia has lived a secluded life with her writer mother in rural Australia. When her mother dies, Claudia is bereft. She is discovered by Grace, a young local woman who cycles into her life on a red bike, dressed in a pink fairy skirt. Grace initiates the fragile and timid Claudia into new experiences and into the wider world she has previously only heard bad things about. She introduces her particularly to strawberry milk, but many other mysteries and delights.

It's an interesting scenario that develops, with beautifully scripted interactions between the girls.

The rustic setting is gorgeously portrayed, as are the innocent and lovely girls. (DOP Matthew Chuang) Gentle melodic songs mingle with magpie and chicken noises to sweeten the rich psychological drama.

Maiah Stewardson plays Grace, Claudia's mentor and saviour. Claudia is played by Markella Kavenagh (Lord of Rings tv serial).

This is a wonderful story, beautifully told. A highlight of the Adelaide Film Festival.
34 out of 52 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
Worn out premise
icdrgon31 March 2021
Worn out story that has been told so many times they cannot be counted. This film promises to be a fresh approach and falls woefully short, at least if the acting had been adequate there would be something hope for it, and the direction was not any better. If this had been in the hands of a someone with talent there might have been something here.
7 out of 36 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Wonderful: all of the joy and darkness in this world
henri-268429 June 2022
Honestly the most wholesome, joyful and sorrowful thing I have ever had the pleasure to watch. The acting is superb- Stewardson I have seen in other things so I knew her acting would be fantastic but Kavenagh has balances the action perfectly and thrives in a deprived character bringing true mental health awareness. Both of them are so skilled. Found has written a perfect script which they have managed almost without a flaw. The cinematography and music elevates this piece. Just lovely.
4 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
It was unexpected and i love it
bregarn18 December 2021
I expected to be bored but It was so wholesome and sad and just perfect. I just know that im going to rewatch it a lot of times. Im already emotionaly attatched.
6 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A Sweet, Tender & Comforting Story Of First Love
CinemaClown5 February 2022
A sweet, tender & heartfelt story of first love & sapphic romance, My First Summer captures the intoxicating feeling of falling in love and the restorative power of human connection with all its warmth, purity & innocence in tact. Beautifully anchored by arresting performances & vibrant chemistry between its leading ladies, the film addresses the themes of loss, support, intimacy & sexuality through their amity.

Written & directed by Katie Found in what's her directorial debut, the story features a simple, small-scale premise which Found renders on screen with unfailing gentleness & compassion. The connection & affection that develops between the two girls isn't hurried, unfolds at their pace of comfort and feels organic throughout. And despite being only 78 mins long, the flow of events remains relaxed & breezy from start to finish.

The radiant camerawork, bright colour palette & warm lighting aptly reflect the comfort the teenagers feel when they are together while the sexual tension between them is allowed to build up gradually. Markella Kavenagh articulates her character's trauma & timidness with sincerity. Maiah Stewardson exudes an infectious spirit & life-affirming energy that just fits her role. And the score & songs add their own flavours to the mix.

Overall, My First Summer is comforting, heartwarming & effervescent in its portrait of young love and is crafted with honesty & told with affection. The film doesn't try to overcomplicate things, keeps the romance accessible, and basks in the blossoming relationship between its characters. A pleasant surprise that commences the debutant director's filmmaking journey on a promising note, this Aussie teenage romance is definitely worth your time.
4 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
2/10
Tilly can finally eat...
Kitahito3 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
After two teenagers with underdeveloped mental abilities experienced a kindergartener's summer adventure, which culminated in a completely unjustified, unrealistically mature and very forced lesbian relationship, the unfortunate dog can finally find a good owner who will feed her more than just carrots and broccoli, which, as we know, isn't the appropriate food for a carnivorous animal, just like candy, glitter and strawberry milk is not suitable for a semi-autistic 16 years old person. Reasonable adult world wins! What a happy ending!
3 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Absolutely perfect
rachael-barlow-873864 September 2021
I have never written a review for a movie ever but this deserved one. This turned out to be my absolute favourite movie and an Australian movie? Even better! I genuinely hope they make a second movie because this was just perfect. Great song choice, great acting, its all perfect. They did a fantastic job.
5 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
love in it's purest form
annarodds5 June 2022
A beautiful story about two teenage girls discovering love, trust, happiness, life and recovering. I was really touched by this story. Besides, the photography in this is just beautiful. It became one of my favorite movies of all times.
3 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Perfect
anonymousd-7129412 July 2021
THERE'S NO MUCH THING TO SAY. ALL I COULD SAY IS EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT. HOPING TO SEE THEM AGAIN!!
4 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Very warm and cute
namedmona8 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What a simple yet lovely story the chemistry between the two leads was great. The ending made me cry a little. Claudia went through something very traumatizing and terrifying and she fought confort, happiness, protection and love through Grace. I truly enjoyed it.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
This film has my entire heart <3
olayimikaiyanu30 January 2024
  • It felt very age appropriate, especially with the dialogue.


  • It tackles the heavy themes in the film quite well, especially that of childhood trauma, hallucinations, and anxiety.


  • I wasn't a fan of the police characters, as they felt like a stereotype of incompetent police characters.


  • It's Australian (instant bonus)
  • Felt quite slow at times, not a lot of supporting character development.


  • I enjoyed the fact that the majority of the film was the two girls forming a friendship, as opposed to just rushing into love.


  • I heavily loved the aesthetic and feel of this film. It's very calming and relaxing and I appreciate how there's no sort of violence in this film at all.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Exceeded expectations
miamay-9611623 December 2022
Didn't come here expecting too much. Low budget movies with LGBTQ themes are usually mediocre at best. However I was pleasantly surprised.

It was a movie that didn't have many people or settings yet it was meaningful and heartfelt without being boring or cliche. There are many movie genres that have been redone to the point that even if they have phenomenonal production value they are easily forgotten. Sadly this is very common with movies that have lesbian themes in them as with there being so few, the repetition of period dramas where they cannot get together in the end has become a little overused.

However this movie is a breath of fresh air in some ways. It's not campy or cringy and deals with real world themes. And considering its capacity does so very well. Claudia's greif at losing her mother clashes with the feelings she gets from meeting someone new. Claudia's mother is also very intresting. The way it deals with mental health and emotions is in no way pretentious or 'left to the audience to interpret'. It's clear cut and realistic. Claudia is in a position where she is extremely vulnerable, she had just failed to commit joint suicide with her mother and has been left on her own. Her mental stability is quite literally hanging on by a thread and the movie clearly shows this.

Also I'd like to add that whilst the sheer amount of sweets and junk they eat may seem unrealistic, I've seen girls this age survive on sour lollies from the corner shop and a few packs of millions and starbursts. Energy drinks and strawberry milk often the drinks of choice. I think this film definitely feels more personal to other teenage girls, especially those that are queer. As whilst the characters may seem childish, I think that it's not that they are childish as they clearly understand what's happening but instead that people today have certain expectations of teenage girls. Whilst this film isn't set now but years prior. I think if you put yourself in the shoes of these girls then their behaviour doesn't seem so weird.

Overall it's a movie I definitely recommend, it feels like a book you'd read during the summer, sat outside in the evening. Really well put together and fitting of its title.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
Glittering little gem of a movie
TheWatcheroo18 December 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. An excellent script from Katie Found, who also directed, and beautiful performances from leads Markella Kavenagh and Maiah Stewardson. The scenes between Claudia and Grace, both 16, were written and directed with a perfect balance of taste and authenticity.

Well done to all.
1 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed