SUMMER CAMP

US, 2024, 95 minutes, Colour.

Diane Keaton, Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Eugene Levy, Dennis Hayesbert, Beverly D'Angelo, Josh Peck, Betsy Sodaro, Tom Wright.

Directed by Castille Landon.

Usually this kind of title indicates an American summer, teenagers gathering and spending weeks away. And, this is how it begins.

So, alert to teenage audiences and their expectations, identifying with the first 10 minutes, especially teenage girls and the characters, issues, conflicts, friendships. But, the action then moves 50 years forward, offering them, perhaps, some images for their future. The vision of senior ladies.

And, so, an alert to the target audience, older women, perhaps memories of their past, watching this for 10 minutes and moving into a more familiar present. We have been introduced to the three central characters, Ginny with her voice-over and commentary, Mary, Nora.

And, 50 years later, Mary is accomplished in her work in the hospital. She is played by Alfre Woodard. Nora is a scientist with technology, addicted to her work. She is played by Diane Keaton repeating her performances in so many films recently, all the mannerisms and tics (and sometimes she wears Annie Hall type clothes!). Jenny is played by Kathy Bates with an extraordinary red Wing! He is the leader of the group, organise this reunion at the summer camp, but hard to persuade Nora to leave her work – and meeting up with the three rivals from 50 years earlier.

This is definitely a film for the target audience, older women. Younger audiences will not be particularly interested. And there are the token men, this time played by Eugene Levy (seriously rather than comic) and Dennis Hayesbert.

The women bond, Nora has to give up her work despite strong efforts to the contrary, Mary is visited by her dominating husband and they have a very serious confrontation (an effective scene), and Ginny is challenged in her controlling of people, which is her profession in helping people to well-being. So, on the rapids, Nora having to be rescued from the water, cheery sessions, touches of romance, a final confrontation and truth telling.

So, best reviewed by its target audience to see whether they identify, enjoy the comedy, the touches of romance, the confrontation.

[There are some good lines throughout, Ginny accused of being a psychopath but s noting that he was on a path! Some action with bows and arrows and a reference to the older men and the patriarchery. An introvert preferring to explore “the great doors”.]

1. The title, the youth camp, the senior women’s camp?
2. The atmosphere of the camp, dining, meeting rooms…? The countryside, the river rapids…? The musical score?
3. The opening, familiar from youth camp films, the bonding of the three, the other three in-girls? Events, period, the three in the future?
4. 50 years later, Mary and her work in the hospital and her expertise, 45 years married, the demanding husband, her children and pride? Friendship with the other two? Ginny Moon, single, effusive, voice-over, her work with people, her reputation? Cheery personality? Nora, academic, marriage and her husband dying, addicted to her work, science and technology? Not wanting to go on the reunion? The other two persuading her?
5. The camp, the manager and her pleasant attitude, Vick in control, like a Sergeant Major, comic episodes, comic turns? Jimmy, awkward, the disasters in the dining room, redeeming himself on the rapids, his jobs, befriending the three women?
6. The gang of the past, their confidence, meeting again, interactions, on the river, Jane and her leadership, the session with Ginny, her admitting of the truth, feeling liberated?
7. Stevie and Tommy, the male presence, knowing the women in the past, their stories, Tommy and overseas work, Stevie and a heart attack and retirement? Mary attracted to Tommy, the pottery, being together? Nora attracted to Stevie, to retrieve the phone, being caught, the conversations, the time together?
8. The conversations, the meals, on the rapids, Nora being rescued? Ultimately the courage for the jumping? The friendship, Nora and her continued work, their wanting her presence? Mary, the phone call to her husband, his arrival, the serious discussion with him about their 45 years? Ginny, the criticisms of the group, her being hurt, rehearsing her speech, the presentation, the absence, but late arrival, her breaking down, talking frantically?
9. Serious talk, the discussions with Jimmy, Ginny hurting his feelings, employing him?

• A film for the target audience, some precarious experience for them, listening to senior ladies talking…?