It's earnest, if weighed down by drippy sentiments.
Stolen Summer (2002)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:57
Fresh:20
Rotten:37
Average Rating:5/10
Consensus: Stolen Summer feels like a sugary after-school special stretched out to feature length.
Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: After being selected as the winner of the PROJECT GREENLIGHT screenwriting contest, Pete Jones got the chance to make his script, STOLEN SUMMER, into a film while an HBO crew taped the process for... After being selected as the winner of the PROJECT GREENLIGHT screenwriting contest, Pete Jones got the chance to make his script, STOLEN SUMMER, into a film while an HBO crew taped the process for a reality TV series. The film tells the story of an Irish Catholic boy, Pete (Adi Stein), growing up in 1976 Chicago. Pete becomes concerned that, as one nun at school has repeatedly told him, he's going to go to hell. He decides that the way into heaven is to convert Jews to Catholicism and makes that his mission. The understanding Rabbi Jacobsen (Kevin Pollak) appreciates Pete's interest in religion and encourages Pete on his "quest." Their lives are further intertwined when a fire breaks out at the rabbi's house, and Pete's father, Joe (Aidan Quinn), a fireman, saves the life of the rabbi's son, Danny (Mike Weinberg). Danny and Pete become friends and think up ways for Danny to be accepted into heaven. STOLEN SUMMER demonstrates Jones' genuine talent as a filmmaker, particularly in the strong performances, while his moving script captures a boy's perspective on friendship and religious belief. STOLEN SUMMER was produced by actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, co-creators of PROJECT GREENLIGHT. [More]
Starring: Adi Stein, Mike Weinberg, Aidan Quinn, Kevin Pollak
Starring: Adi Stein, Mike Weinberg, Aidan Quinn, Kevin Pollak, Bonnie Hunt, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Brian Dennehy, Ryan Kelley, Lindsay Light
Director: Pete Jones
Director: Pete Jones
Screenwriter: Pete Jones
Producer: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Chris Moore, Patrick Peach
Composer: Danny Lux
Studio: Miramax Films
Reviews for Stolen Summer
Jones has tackled a meaty subject and drawn engaging characters while peppering the pages with memorable zingers.
It's like every bad idea that's ever gone into an after-school special compiled in one place, minus those daytime programs' slickness and sophistication (and who knew they even had any?).
As a movie, it never seems fresh and vital. It never plays as dramatic even when dramatic things happen to people. It labours as storytelling.
Even when his technique is amateurish, Jones' belief in the material is refreshing.
The behind the scenes series is more interesting than the resulting movie, but it's still worth taking a look.
The production has been made with an enormous amount of affection, so we believe these characters love each other.
A sweet story appropriate for the whole family, though it feels a bit like an after-school special.
The kids often appear to be reading the lines and are incapable of conveying any emotion.
Latest News for Stolen Summer
September 19, 2005:
Fox Demands to See Farrellys "Hall Pass"
Pete Jones' spec script for the comedy "Hall Pass" has been picked up by Fox, and the moviemakers are looking to hand it over to professional yuksters Peter &... More...
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