Last Summer (2013)

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.

Director/writer Mark Thiedeman has created a visual poetic look into the friendship, compassion, and love of friendship between two teenage males at that point in life when the foundation of their past life must give way to their individual adult path. The visuals of nature and home are warm and lazy just like a hot summer demands.Here in this setting Jonah and Luke, friends sense early childhood, give to each other the affectionate expression of companionship their friendship has developed into. They are each others comfort at this pivotal and often confusing time in life. Jonah must move on as his intellect and spirit demands it. Luke does not have this drive, this need for experience beyond the life they both know. Where Jonah is intellectually developed he is fearful of whats next but he must go. Luke is more emotionally developed because he knows Jonah better than Jonah knows himself and he must let Jonah go or it will ruin their friendship. If you love someone let them go!I must say I do not believe this is a story of two gay males living as openly gay in a southern town. I can see how many others come to that easy conclusion. We see suggestion of love through their affection and need to be together. We never see them together beyond cuddling! As the photography shows nature growing and existing in this summer setting we are also given two boys living in nature and each is open to the natural need of humans to seek companionship and experience this new emotional want. Neither passes judgement on the other. Society bars this type of friendship with unfortunate labels but here Mark Thiedemann has created a poem, a fantasy, a dream of not necessarily what is but a celebration of what can be in real life.Certainly a unique film that will appeal to those who are given to poetry and symbolism in life!

Poesy or pure boredom? I confess that, by the middle of the film, I was in doubt. It's certainly an experimental film, far away from Hollywood or even most European movies.Far from anything, as long as my experience in watching films is concerned. Maybe Andy Warhol is something near, or some eastern movies. But yet so simple it may make us cry. Why is the American experience so harsh? Why there comes a moment when separation, for those 'lucky' ones that enter college, comes as inevitable as the moment of coming of age? Two kids, happy together and boyfriends since they were four, are seen this moment approaches. One copes well with mathematics and college requirements. The other can't solve simple algebra problems. We know he could enter through the door of physical abilities, but he doesn't want. He can also easily understand musical notes, as we see in his ability to play poignant, sad music. By the way, all is very sad in the movie. 'Don't you want me to go? Say it, and I won't go'. But he won't say it. The experience of someone is a particular one, one shouldn't deny the person the chance to try. Or so does America thinks. All I can say is, had I had a love like this, I would have already entered Eden. I wouldn't leave it. Certainly a movie I'll see again. Poetry, pure poetry.

Mark Thiedeman's stunning movie is a breathtaking work of art. This moody, nuanced film is something quite special to experience. Far from the madding crowd of commercial 'Gay' themed movies, this sumptuously photographed and delicately under-written work indicates clearly this Director is one to watch. It is essentially a love story that portrays the two lead character's relationship in a filmic essay of great beauty.Thiedeman's structural choices in setting up scenes is reminiscent of perhaps a more European sensibility than the more common obvious American Studio system's insistence on the dumbing down of everything. Here we definitely have a case of 'less is more'...the camera tells much of the story. And with great beauty. Like a fine wine, this movie is one to savor and relish. A comparison to James Bolton's 2008 "Dream Boy" could be made, but that would be unfair to both Directors, as each is unique in style. But if you enjoyed 'Dream Boy' you are likely to absolutely love this film. The two extremely handsome leads beautifully interpret the script and provide the viewer with intelligent and mature performances. If you need fast paced action or voluminous amounts of dialogue to tell you a story, this film is not necessarily for you. It gently meanders, but always meaningfully and with an end-point in mind. Distributors of exceptional films need to sit up and take notice- It's criminal this one didn't get a major cinema release. It's every bit as marketable as any 'Brokeback Mountain'. Stunning!