Hot Summer Nights (2018)

(79/100)

There should be more films made that take place in the 90s. And they should all star Timothee Chalamet and Maika Monroe. They're electrifying in Hot Summer Nights. This film is a bit of a mess at first, tonally jarring, and feels like Scorsese/P.T.Anderson-lite at times. But if you're going to borrow, borrow from the greats. It has a great soundtrack and is surprisingly dark by the end, ending on a note both mysterious and melancholic. It's these surprising elements and a bit of depth that makes Hot Summer Nights a pleasant summer diversion. There would be no film, however, without the magnetic chemistry and charming performances by Chalamet and Monroe. Kudos should also go to the soundtrack.

Timothée Chalamet and Maika Monroe carry this film, there chemistry is top notch, and their relationship progression is infectious. The story is far-fetched and over the top, I have a hard time believing a high school kid can create a weed empire over the course of a couple months. And what was he supposed to do when he had to return to his moms after the summer? Despite the story's flaws, this movie was incredibly enjoyable with excellent performances by our two leads, plenty of laughs, cut romantic quirks, and some downright scary scenes.

Score: 68%
Verdict: Good

“Daniel” (Timothée Chalamet) is a quiet teenager who spends much of his time people watching the folks who summer on Cape Cod. His encounter with “Hunter” (Alex Roe) injects a little more fun to life when he is recruited to start selling them weed. It turns out to be quite a lucrative little venture, and soon the pair scale it up and begin to make some decent cash. This attracts them to local dealer “Dex” (Emory Cohen) and next thing the young “Daniel” has a shiny red sports car. He’d also like a girlfriend, but it transpires that the gal of his dreams “MyKayla” (Maika Monroe) is the estranged sister of his business partner and that means she’s a no-go area. Well, in theory anyway. With hormones raging and the money rolling in, it can only get better for the pair? Well the problem with success is that it’s just as addictive as that which they are peddling to their punters, and so when “Daniel” takes a next step into something altogether more toxic, he risks all. There’s nothing at all memorable about this coming-of-age story and were it not for the fact that Timmie is amongst an otherwise very ordinary cast, I doubt anyone would give it house room. What starts as a mischievous arrangement selling pot to posh boys whilst having a bit of nookie on the side becomes increasingly far-fetched, violent and blandly scripted. It’s set against the backdrop of a looming category 4 storm but sadly that doesn’t come anywhere near quickly enough to liven up this dimly lit and pedestrian story of brotherhood/sisterhood/neighbourhood that’s instantly forgettable. Sorry.