Movies

Summerland

Catholic News Service

This is a scene from the 2020 film “Summerland.” Rated: O, PG. LIONSGATE | CNS

CROP_20200811T0945-MOVIE-REVIEW-SUMMERLAND-1003525.jpg

summerland

This is a movie poster for the 2020 film “Summerland.” Rated: O, PG. LIONSGATE | CNS

What might have been a charming story about a reclusive, brusque expert on mythology (Gemma Arterton) who, during World War II, is forced to take in a schoolboy (Lucas Bond) evacuated from London because of the blitz and eventually bonds with him is spoiled by contradictions of biblical truths about faith and morality. Thus the dialogue in writer-director Jessica Swale’s polished drama has the scholar class Christianity with the pagan ideas she studies as unscientific, reject the existence of God and heaven and deny the objective sinfulness of relationships like the one she shared with a woman (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who eventually left her in the hope of becoming a mother. Although their lesbian romance is handled discreetly, the film’s explicit message goes well beyond a plea for tolerance and dignity.

Watch out for:  Denial of Christian teaching, a benignly viewed homosexual relationship, a same-sex kiss, a mild oath, a couple of crass expressions.

Rated: O, morally offensive; MPAA: PG

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