This wasn’t a typical summer! Based on a short film with the same name and director, this is another Canadian movie I recently viewed after seeing quite a few others. It's a small production, not because of its length, but due to the cast and how it was made. The story centers around three boys during their summer vacation—a time when kids often experience significant changes. This film certainly fits that pattern, and I enjoyed it considerably. The title suggests several possibilities, but one interpretation aligns with a coming-of-age narrative. What I mean is, suddenly gaining understanding can profoundly alter your perspective, leading you to behave differently in response. As with many films about teenagers, there’s plenty of fun to be had here. The adventures are enjoyable, though not particularly thrilling; they reflect the kinds of things kids typically do. However, a scene involving harm to insects bothered me greatly—it was quite disturbing. I almost didn't want to finish watching it. The film begins immediately with no introduction, and the story progresses straightforwardly because it’s easy to follow. The narration doesn't consistently adhere to any single point of view, although it mostly reflects Adam’s perspective. He travels with his parents to their cottage on the Canadian side of Lake Erie, where he spends the summer with two friends, exploring the area for fun. While Adam is a good person, his companions are not so decent, and through them, he begins to adopt their way of enjoying themselves. But there’s a limit to everything, and once that boundary is crossed, the story shifts direction toward its conclusion. > ❝Should take the opportunity while it's open, before it closes.❞ The plot was predictable—not necessarily in terms of specific scenes or dialogue, but regarding what would happen next. I suspect not everyone will agree with this assessment. From the very beginning, I sensed that something significant was on the horizon, and had to wait until the end for it to unfold. Although I haven’t seen the original short film, this story seems perfectly suited to a longer format. The expansion worked well, adding details that fleshed out the characters and their situation. The writing presented a challenge; it wasn't particularly clever, but it was convincing. There are always subtle hints about what might come later, characteristic of straightforward storytelling—you essentially watch with anticipation for that upcoming event. Despite this predictability, the film proved interesting enough to hold my attention. The characters were memorable and distinct, which helped make the movie work well. Some of the dialogue could have been better; it seems much was improvised, which occasionally felt unusual in a cinematic context. Nevertheless, everyone involved did a commendable job, especially the three boys. For viewers who aren’t dedicated cinephiles, the ending might be surprising due to the lack of clear indications about where the story would lead. It's a good film for teenagers, but perhaps not suitable for younger audiences because of its thematic content—there are references to sex, though no nudity is shown. The fact that it’s Canadian may explain why it hasn’t received wider recognition, but it deserves better than it has gotten. This isn’t an isolated case; many other fine films have suffered a similar fate. I'm almost certain you haven't heard of this title before. However, if you enjoyed movies like 'The Kings of Summer' or 'Paranoid Park', then give this one a try. It might not be your favorite film of the year, but it’s unlikely you’ll dislike it. 7/10

Source on TMDB