The best films set over summer holidays
A seemingly endless stretch of leisure time, ripe with opportunities for unexpected liaisons, the summer holidays often provide a backdrop for exploration of identity and coming of age stories in cinema.
As the summer approaches, what better way to start up those dreamy holiday vibes than through these magical summer films.
1. Pauline At The Beach (1983)
The third in New Wave director Eric Rohmer’s ‘comedy and proverbs’ series, this romantic comedy sees 15 year old Pauline and her older blonde bombshell cousin Marion as they holiday in a resort town in Normandy and engage in discussions and relationships with locals.
“A wagging tongue bites itself” is the mocking proverb that opens Pauline at the Beach, encapsulating the plot of the film, where Rohmer comically reveals deceit and misunderstandings as the cause of farcical endings.
Relationships are shown to be self-imploding; dismantled through love-triangles which undermine the lofty pseudo-philosophies with which the characters approach love.
Most importantly for this list: the shots of the summer beach, al fresco breakfasts and talks at dusk immediately evokes the European coast. The French summer, though home to deceit and loss of innocence, is nevertheless irresistible.
2. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Jennifer Grey’s summer of love with Patrick Swayze’s Johnny is the classic holiday romance.
Although the film is often written off as a ‘chick flick,’ it explores many complex issues of abortion, sexuality and class, revealing the divide between the working class staff and the leisurely “play pen” lifestyle of the holidayers.
When resort dancer Penny suddenly needs an abortion appointment on the day of an important and high-paying performance with dance partner Johnny at a neighbouring hotel, Baby steps in to replace her and must quickly learn to dance, much to Johnny’s frustration.
But, of course, they soon put their grievances aside and grow closer, and end up having the time of their lives - it’s the ultimate summer holiday romance.
3. All Hands On Deck (2020)
This breezy French comedy sees three unlikely companions thrown together on a campsite when their ride-share breaks down.
A romantic surprise gone wrong and unexpected liaisons at the campsite make for a hilarious and ultimately touching film.
Guilluame Brac resembles a sort of modern day Rohmer with his unobtrusive gaze that makes his characters and story believable.
The observational and realistic style also captures the French campsite in a particularly immersive way.
“Summer vacation...this parenthesis snatched from daily life, this field of possibilities that opens and closes, has long fascinated me...The summer vacation turns the tables, shakes up habits and sometimes disrupts the course of a life”
4. Tomboy (2011)
Celine Sciamma’s understated coming of age film perfectly captures the atmosphere and experience of pre-teen youth - the stressful confusion of trying to fit in with those around you while coming to terms with who you are, all while the world seems enormous and overwhelming.
Sciamma is masterful at evoking this pre-adolescent age when many children seem suspended between genders, as Laure struggles to come to terms with their identity.
The saturated colours of the film emphasise the hyper-awareness by its young protagonist, while beautifully depicting the lush surroundings lit under the summer sun.
5. Unrelated (2008)
Joanna Hogg’s debut feature is still one of my favourites.
Set in Tuscany, it sees Anna travel to join her insufferable and wealthy friends’ family holiday and tracks the uncomfortable rifts between the adults and spoilt children, with Anna caught in the middle.
It is a film rich with tension, where very British upper class awkwardness and failure to communicate build until breaking point, creating moments of confrontation and climax which make you squirm in your seat.
6. Summer of 85 (2020)
This summery film from François Ozon (whose new film, Everything Went Fine, is in cinemas now) is a very 80s tale of teenage heartbreak.
Though at some points cliched, the film effectively mixes its coming-of-age narratives with darker psychological thriller inflections.
Its faded cinematography create the dreamy feeling of a washed-out photograph of summer romances past.