Title: Best Summer Ever
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Michael Parks Randa, Lauren Smitelli
Starring: Shannon DeVido, Rickey Alexander Wilson, MuMu
Runtime: 1 hr 12 mins

What It Is: Tony (Wilson) had an amazing summer at camp. Now it’s time to go back to the “real world”. That means high school and that means being away from his summer love Sage (DeVido). Well at least that was the thought. You see Sage’s moms have hit a snag requiring him them to enroll Sage in a public school. It ends up being the exact high school Tony already attends.

What We Think: This film hits some snags when it comes to the script but its essence is big time fun. DeVido and Wilson are adorable and their chemistry works exactly as it should. A sort of modern Danny and Sandy. Some of the songs are pretty good but the script is super flat and nothing to write home about. Randa and Smitelli take what little they have to work with and spin some occasional gold. It is quite a refreshing sight to behold, the film itself. The young leads gives some okay performances even if the overall package left me unfulfilled.

Our Grade: C+, A truly sweet film with amazing representation and a positive message. Those are attributes that are both rare and awesome. Nonetheless, the film is only okay and in a crowded space that was SXSW there’s certainly better films to be had. If you like musicals In the Heights is a better option. Though this blows A Week Away out of the water that isn’t saying much. Listen I appreciate what the film was trying to do even if perhaps it ultimately isn’t the best thing I saw at SXSW this year. If you like musicals or representation of those with disabilities then this ones for you.