Review of The Kings of Summer (2013) by Brian B — 07 Dec 2013

The Kings of Summer is VERY funny in parts but unfortunately it struggles to sustain the high laugh-rate throughout. It is a coming-of-age film about three friends Joe, Patrick and Baggio who decide to live in the woods for the summer.

Moises Arias, who plays Biaggio, delivers some of the best lines in a delightfully droll manner; "I met a dog the other day that taught me how to die". There is an air or the tragicomic but it is all very ironic and self-aware.

This is where Kings of Summer is most successful. During the first half of the film in particular it has the capacity to surprise and catch the audience off-guard. It also contains a self-depreciating manner, personified by its lead characters.

Notably it is the kind of zany comedy that was rife in American comedy cinema during the 60s and 70s, as opposed to the mean-spirited gross out comedy that is so prevalent today in films like The Hangover.

This film only suffers when the humour dries out and it attempts to do the life affirmation part, with limited success, in the final third. Despite this it is a refreshing experience to see a genuinely funny and kind-hearted comedy film.