Synopsis
Released in 2015, Staten Island Summer is a coming-of-age American comedy that embodies the spirit of youthful fun and the essence of that last magical summer before transitioning into adulthood. Directed by Rhys Thomas and written by Colin Jost, the film depicts an intertwining of youthful escapades with poignant transitions, all set to evoke the unrestrained nostalgia of suburban teenage life on the cusp of transformation.
The plot follows a pair of young adults, Danny Campbell and Frank Gomes, who have just graduated from high school and are now working as lifeguards in their last summer before college. From Staten Island, Danny is a reserved and bright teen ready to pursue his dreams of marine biology at Harvard in the fall. His best friend Frank, on the other hand, is more easygoing and spontaneous, which makes it even harder for him to decide what he wants to do in life. Nevertheless, he is determined to make the most of his summertime.
Together with a colorful assortment of their equally eccentric co-workers, the pair spends their summer manning the pool at the Great Kills Swim Club on Staten Island. Some of the most notable characters are Mary Ellen, the stern but caring female lifeguard; Skootch, the perpetually stoned outcast; Anthony, the buff scandalous lady’s man; and many more who turn each shift at the pool into a glimpse of the youth culture that makes Staten Island so unique.
For years, Danny has had a soft spot for the stunning Henry Krystal Manicucci, a girl who is beyond his reach since her father is a dangerous mafia figure. Towards the end of the summer, Frank and Danny planned an outrageous pool party for the season’s final celebration. This was a chance for Danny to confess his love to Krystal while Frank could enjoy one last hurrah before adulthood hits.
A stressful existence marked by the transition from youthful innocence to grown up responsibilities was laden with neglectful yet protective parents, amusement and perplexing boldness from eccentric neighbors, run-ins with gangsters, and the overwhelming reality of aging marks critical characters throughout the film. Every character uniquely faces pivotal life decisions that ultimately lead them down diverging paths.
Primary Cast:
Graham Phillips takes the role of Danny Campbell, the overachieving student in the featured film. The character is designed to resonate with teenagers and young adults, to enjoy the last bite of summer.
Zack Pearlman steps into the shoes of Danny’s jovial best friend Frank Gomes—the character known for his over-the-top antics and surprisingly tender moments.
Ashley Greene plays the role of Krystal Manicucci, an ordinary but not-so-ordinary exceptional sultry high school student, whose father has ties to the mafia.
Cecily Strong features in the role Mary Ellen, the veteran lifeguard monikered and the de facto older sister figure to many.
Bobby Moynihan takes on the role of Skootch, a pool worker who is perpetually high ridden and manic in ways comical and sinister.
John DeLuca plays Anthony, the stereotypical gentleman who is more of a woman chicken than a rescuer.
Supporting Cast Includes
Jim Gaffigan and Kate Walsh as the In-laws
Dany
Vincent Pastore
Fred Armisen
Will Forte
Kate McKinnon
Colin Jost in adding the absurdity and foolishness required midst the ludicrous framework of the film.
Method Man twists the banlieue genre when he plays Konko, a local crook uma oposição stupefiante ao decor suburban.
Crew:
Director: Rhys Thomas has mastered the art of snap samonds out of SNL and applies sketch timing to the film.
Writer: Staten Island gets more renowned with Colin Jost, writer for SNL. The entire script revolves his experience back in the island.
Producer: Lorne Michael takes the presenter role after being rounded SNL’s producer. Vouches the film hides a lethargic flip tone.
Music: John Swihart digs into the theorem of the youthful New Yorker scent the season without captureing the comlicated body of work the Guidelines formatative shape.
Scored by Film Youth captures John as cited.
Cinematography: Anthony Wolberg
suburban bus stops an coastline gloos, blissful sets are like frames the heart of ze amor.
Editing: the heart of **
Steve Edwards and Adam Epstein control the crescent of fury that becomes pulse slowing sweetly at times and buying hi underestimating a challenge. classroom editor sets challenge into the equation but prim add.
Tone and Style
Like any classic summer teen movie, Staten Island Summer follows a similar structure as other films in the genre, featuring crude humor, awkward sexual romps, and some absurd reflection blended with over-the-top comedy. Films like Superbad or American Pie come to mind, but with Staten Island’s local flavor.
The film relies on its SNL cast members to further pepper supporting roles with better sides and energy. Each character comes with random bursts of laughter and absurdity that keep the film afloat during its patches devoid of coherent movement.
Reception
Overall reception for Staten Island Summer is not positive. While attempting to praise the film for honoring older teen comedies, some critics said it heavily relied on cliches without a distinct narrative and was unoriginal. Describing it as inconsistent, the humor was called out for overly depending on common themes of sexually driven teens, goofy older figures, and outrageous party scenarios.
Nonetheless, the film attracted a small following among younger audiences seeking easy laughs. The charm of the characters and setting is likely to be appreciated by viewers who lived in suburban areas or worked summer jobs at local pool facilities.
Not having an original story to tell is offset slightly by energy, charisma, and nostalgia. Some viewers took comfort in summer-drenched nostalgia and appreciate the familiar rhythms, even if some would argue said rhythm was too leisurely, evoking memories of carefree, sun-soaked days filled with chaos and threlaced with clam.
Distribution and Box Office
Instead of a broad theatrical release, Staten Island Summer was primarily distributed through digital and streaming services. The film became available for digital purchase in June 2015 and shortly thereafter, premiered on Netflix. This directly-digital approach means there are virtually non-existent, though still limited, box office figures. If there were any financial returns from the movie, they would stem from streaming viewership in conjunction with the sizeable popularity of the cast.
The film was not set to succeed in theaters; it was marketed as a summer streaming film aimed at audiences who enjoy light comedies, teen flicks, and alumni of Saturday Night Live.
Conclusion
Staten Island Summer is an outrageous yet simple and heartfelt coming-of-age comedy that attempts to document a sliver of suburban youth culture. While it does not reinvent the genre, it definitely uses the familiar settings, humorous stereotypes, and relatable summer experiences to its advantage.
The film stands as a tribute to the banal yet poignant markers of the end of youth—the embarrassingly unrequited crushes, the vague hopes for the future, and the friendships that might not survive growing up. For the fans of ensemble comedies revolving around copious amounts of swimming pool antics, Staten Island Summer is more than enough to provide the escapism needed during the summertime.
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