That Summer! (1979)

“Steve” (Ray Winstone) has been in some bother in his youth and so now discharged by the authorities, he heads to Devon where there is an open water swimming contest. He is working his passage in the local pub whilst training hard and it’s on the beach he meets deckchair attendant “Jimmy” (Tony London) and they hook up with “Angie” (Julie Shipley) and her pal “Carole” (Emily Moore) who have come down to work the summer as hotel chambermaids. He’s trying to keep himself out of trouble, but that might prove difficult as a group of lads from a Glasgow swimming club are also in town - bent on causing some mischief. Quickly, “Steve” has to juggle the unwanted provocation from “Tam” (Jon Morrison) and his pals with his developing fondness for “Angie” and his dedication to winning the race - and that’s quite some plate-spinning exercise. Despite the adult themes, this really reminded me of an edition of “Minder” combined with a slightly more hormonal Children’s Film Foundation effort. It features some pretty basic photography, extended establishing scenes and acting that, though not bad, is all a little bit amateur as it delivers quite a thin short story that seems overly extended to fit ninety minutes. For me it is too episodic and never really gets going. Winstone does bring a certain charm to his role, but I reckon for just about everyone involved it’s more of a creative starting point for careers that might not deliver for all of them. It’s ok, but nothing special.