In the Summers

"In the Summers" is a film that spans through routine shots and similar environments over the course of multiple years to highlight how a parent's personal struggles can leave lasting impressions on children as they transition through the crucial phases of their developmental years. Instead of leaning on the "bad parent" trope that is often used in a story like this, director Alessandra Lacorazza Samudio chooses to portray this father figure in a more relatable light. Though flawed and seemingly stuck in one place, Vicente (played by Residente) shows an equal amount of love and adventurous care for his daughters as he does carelessness and anger. The main conflict of being a loving father vs. Being a good father, and not having the ability to maintain both, is at the forefront of each of these four chapters. There's a sense of reality and decisive empowerment that ultimately shapes the direction of this story leaving audiences with an emotionally reflective moment in the final sequence. The visuals are quaint and the score by Eduardo Cabra is collaborative rather than distractive which keeps this film completely grounded with the distinct message that it wants to share. A strong directorial debut for Samudio and one that'll act as a foundation for more stories to come.