"Summertime" is one of the best films of the 1950s when it comes to its cinematography. The film is simply gorgeous and it creates an amazingly romanticized view of Venice. The colors, camera-work and setting all work together to create a real work of art. So, in this sense, it is a great film. It also creates a very romantic world with its actors (Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi) and the lovely music. Again, all what you'd like for a great film. However, the film suffers when it comes to the story--and I seem to be in the distinct minority on this one after I read through the reviews.
Hepburn is well-cast as a spinster American who has come to Venice. She has romantic visions in her mind but she also turns out to be very, very lonely. After all, what joy is there in this city if you have no one with which to share it? However, she meets a very handsome man (Brazzi--who is perhaps too handsome for the part to be believable) and he eventually sweeps her off her feet and they have a very brief encounter (some pun intended). The problem is that he's already married--and this is the huge problem I have with the film. In "Summertime" you are expected to care about the characters and empathize with them. But, in real life, if you were the wife or knew the folks, would you be so quick to see this affair as something good? Sure, Brazzi SAYS he and his wife live apart, but I assume most cheaters use this or some similar excuse to justify their behaviors. The bottom line is that the film looks great, is magnificently directed by David Lean and is about a couple selfish jerks! I just cannot get past that. I also cannot get past Criterion's decision to have no captions on the DVD--that I cannot understand (especially since my daughter is deaf and I am a bit hard of hearing).
Hepburn is well-cast as a spinster American who has come to Venice. She has romantic visions in her mind but she also turns out to be very, very lonely. After all, what joy is there in this city if you have no one with which to share it? However, she meets a very handsome man (Brazzi--who is perhaps too handsome for the part to be believable) and he eventually sweeps her off her feet and they have a very brief encounter (some pun intended). The problem is that he's already married--and this is the huge problem I have with the film. In "Summertime" you are expected to care about the characters and empathize with them. But, in real life, if you were the wife or knew the folks, would you be so quick to see this affair as something good? Sure, Brazzi SAYS he and his wife live apart, but I assume most cheaters use this or some similar excuse to justify their behaviors. The bottom line is that the film looks great, is magnificently directed by David Lean and is about a couple selfish jerks! I just cannot get past that. I also cannot get past Criterion's decision to have no captions on the DVD--that I cannot understand (especially since my daughter is deaf and I am a bit hard of hearing).