Cruel Summer

A freshly dumped man finds out his ex was sleeping with an autistic boy at school, so he grabs two friends and sets out for him. This was a slow burner that was well done. It sucks you right in and then mortifies you. The flick is along the same lines as Bully and Boys Don't Cry but a little more dark and is based on a true story. I was waiting to hear the Bananarama song Cruel Summer but there must have been some rights issues so you don't hear it. It does get heavy at he end so it might not be for everybody but all around a good flick.

This film actually left me feeling like totally shocked. It brings it all to home how petty lies can cause so much damage. The whole movie felt like a documentary. It's not what I would class as a horror but it will be keeping me awke tonight.

This film implies it's based on a true story which I think is dishonest. It's loosely "inspired" by a few different notable violent crimes. Presenting it as based-on-a-true-story is a cheap way to make their movie seem more legitimate. The main characters are trashy and uninteresting. No depth. No real emotion. To the reviewer favorably comparing this to Bully and Boys Don't Cry, you are either part of the film crew or completely ignorant when it comes to filmmaking and story telling. This film is somehow managed to be pretensious and trashy at the same time.

I have autism although not as much as the lead but I'm quite quirky. Hard to watch cause the low budgeted style but pretty enjoyable especially seeing the kid gather camp supplies and have a peaceful time they should've showed him more instead of the bullies! Cruel Summer is pretty good for what it is even though it's effed up!

I can't remember the last time I had trouble getting through a movie. The brutality against Danny was so very hard to watch that I had to walk away from it twice. I liked Danny, and there were periods where I had to turn away because I didn't want to see what was going to happen to him next. I had a visceral reaction, alternating between sadness and anger, often within seconds. The abrupt ending was a letdown, but it's beautifully shot, the script is strong, the acting is exceptional - and I never want to lay eyes on this movie again.

The description of the movie says that Danny's Bullies wanted to see him suffer. This movie shows Bullying at its finest and good acting for all involved. Sad thing is that in real life,this happens everyday in these days and times. Bullies should watch this movie along with counseling, to change their behaviors before it is too late.

The poster and title - sooo misleading. In fact, it's pretty CRUEL they used a horror-movie themed advertisement to sell a dramatic story that takes place in less than 24 hours, let alone a whole "summer." Movie posters and trailers are often deceptive, but it's their job to sell their product. The actual substance of this "true story," is NOTHING like the Friday the 13th-type poster and title. Thankfully, I was not tricked as I had read the synopsis before clicking on this movie to watch. But, looking back, while writing this, I'm appalled at the artwork for the film and title. I mean, as stated, this all takes place in less than 24 hours, not the typical 3-months of summer. Another flaw, if you can call the person who named this and advertisers "flaws" for the film, itself, is the substance. The movie is incredibly short for such a horrific "real life-inspired" event and even at its 80 minutes, the actual movie ends at minute 72 with 8 astounding minutes of credits. Additionally, all-but nothing happens for the first 45-50 minutes, so you'll have basically 22 bona fide minutes of actual substance of the "inspired events." Now, that all said, those approximately 22 minutes are extreme, shocking and further detriments the title. It wasn't "cruel," it was inhuman. "Disgustingly evil" would describe those last 22 minutes. Basically one hot head loses his mind and reverts back to pre-primate thinking after a break up. He concocts a lie with one of his blokes after he hears of another lie of a young autistic boy sleeping with his now ex. The entire premise of the lies is weak, but apparently, the hot head needs his vengeance out on someone and the power he absorbs by manipulating and controlling a girl who fancies him and his mate is intoxicating to him. Meanwhile, the autistic boy, probably his first ever trip out alone from his parents in the wilderness is completely content with his accomplishments of camping alone. He truly looks at peace. And that's what makes the events that follow, that fateful Saturday, when the 3 bad teens meet up with him and punish him (BAD) for absolutely nothing...all the more unbelievably torturous to see. Anyone getting mistreated by bullies is bad enough, but to see how this completely innocent and at peace autistic boy is tortured so one alpha male can release some anger...is an abomination. Not sure the intentions of the filmmakers. To tell the story of the non-eventful events leading up to the tragic story and show the monsters these pricks were, or to cash in on the event for film-rights. For, once the story concludes - and believe me, I was completely and utterly emotional, it just abruptly ends, giving us a description of what happened next in 3 short sentences for what probably dragged on for months, if not years. I will say this: despite any intentions, the movie was beautifully shot, well-acted, believable and those last 22 minutes, including the VERY last 3-4, were so emotional for me, it's almost worth a recommendation. But, it's hard to tell someone else to see this when probably no one should ever. Unless they want to know true evil of some dumb bloke. *** Final thoughts: Since this movie is so heavy, I'd like to finish on a lighter note: I loved the song "Cruel Summer" by BOTH Bananarama and Ace of Base in my younger days. That's all. Nothing about the movie and no, they play neither song in the movie. Spoiler? Ha.

Based on a true story we pretty much know the ending from the opening plot spoiler teaser. Danny Evans (Richard Pawulski) is a likable autistic man who is going camping on his own. Meanwhile Nicholas (Danny Miller) a high testosterone individual, has been booted out by his girlfriend Lisa. He visits Julia (Natalie Martins) a hot looking friend who wants Nicholas, who doesn't want her. Julia informs Nicholas his virgin Lisa was no angel and had sex with Danny before him. Nicholas goes into a rage and wants to meet Danny, Julia succumbs. Danny enlists the help of Calvin (Reece Douglas) informing him that Danny is a "peed-o-phile" and needs to be punished vigilante style. From the opening spoiler clip, we know where this leads. This is your basic blood and torture film done slowly and only one guy and no women get their tops ripped off. Odd how real life is that way. Difficult to watch at times with some cringe worthy scenes, even though it doesn't actually show the penetration, just the swinging and results. Guide: F-word. No sex. Near male nudity.

Cruel Summer is very much along the lines of Eden Lake. A young adult with autism goes camping for his Duke of Edinburgh award to find himself at the mercy of a young thug with revenge on his mind. This is a small budget film and a simple plot but nevertheless it's extremely well made and always engrossing if exceptionally uncomfortable viewing. I thought it was very realistic and all the actors involved did a great job. Danny Miller has received rave reviews for his performances in the British soap Emmerdale and it is clear that he is a hugely talented actor that if he wants can go far. The rest of the cast are less well known but all convince. I found this quite emotionally draining and pretty upsetting and it will live long in the mind. The fact things like this happen makes it all the more sad. The ending was heartbreaking and beautifully done. This is an unsettling film and not a film to necessarily enjoy as such and therefore won't appeal to everyone. Still for those with the stomach for it this is a brutal but impressive film.

It would seem this movie was inspired by the "scythe killing on camping holiday" of Terry Hurst in 2004/5? which does indeed make it all the more frightning - Unfortunately despite some great camera work the acting is absolutely terrible , most noteworthy Danny Miller as the lead protaganist Nicholas Natalie Martins and Richard Pawulski are slightly better - According to interviews with some of the cast - there were a lot of improvised dialogue and it does show - where did they get the "actors" who played Danny's Mum and Dad from ???? It was a brave attempt to tell this story - but I feel with a better cast and director it could have been so much better.