Summertime (2021)

After his impressive debut feature Blindspotting, director Carlos López Estrada follows it up with this film that is what you get when you make a film entirely out of spoken word poetry. Summertime is a love letter to the real L.A. not the Hollywood/Beverly Hills/Compton stereotypes the rest of the world sees as L.A. but the L.A. that is lived in by real Angelenos. And it is rather glorious. 

This freeform narrative about intersecting lives through the City of Angels is rapid-fire and hits multiple emotions all at once as we careen through moments, little yet powerful moments, and come out the end having experienced something unlike what most movies offer. I can't speak to the authenticity of the Los Angelas experience captured here but the explorations of extraordinary moments in a day feels very authentic. It is about joy. I haven't felt such a joyous movie in a long time.

The characters speak beat poetry throughout, and it may take a few viewings to truly appreciate each piece but most of what I heard was impactful and engaging. 

Shot without a famous cast, Summertime highlights very real feeling personalities. One of the standouts here is Tyris Winter, who appears to be making a name for himself recently, and here he truly shines. If anything I wanted more of him on screen. But he's not alone. Everyone face here is watchable. You just want to know these people. 

Summertime is gorgeous and sweeps you up in its rhymes and joy, the kind of lyrical film that you can watch again and again to appreciate all it brings to the table.  Bring it on Estrada, whatever film you want to make next. 

Summertime
Starring: Tyris Winter

Director: Carlos López Estrada

Writer: Dave Harris