The young stars are too cute; the story and ensuing complications are too manipulative; the message is too blatant; the resolutions are too convenient.
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
Plays out with a dogged and eventually winning squareness that would make it the darling of many a kids-and-family-oriented cable channel.
Jones has tackled a meaty subject and drawn engaging characters while peppering the pages with memorable zingers.
A delightful surprise because despite all the backstage drama, this is a movie that tells stories that work -- is charming, is moving, is funny and looks professional.
Stolen Summer is no disaster, though. It's merely one more misfire fortunate enough to attract actors like Bonnie Hunt and Aidan Quinn, who almost make it work.
Ultimately ... the movie is too heady for children, and too preachy for adults.
Nearly all the fundamentals you take for granted in most films are mishandled here.
Stolen Summer isn't a home run, but it's a solid line drive up the middle.
Pete’s screenplay manages to find that real natural, even-flowing tone that few movies are able to accomplish.
The background and conditions under which this film (part of HBO's Proejct Greenlight) was produced and documented (with step-by-step accuracy, humor, and cynicism, and self-importance) overshadow by far its underwhelming artistic merits; it's a clunker
Taken on its own, Jones' first feature is a small thing, and no indicator of what he might do in the future with the TV lights turned off.
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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