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Summer City |
List Price: $6.99
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Reviews |
Features:
Description:
Mel Gibson's film debut is a low-budget Australian beach movie with a heart of darkness (an alternate title is Coast of Terror). Set in the 1950s, the film follows the exploits of four youths on a holiday road trip that takes an ugly turn. The end product is a sort of Beach Blanket Bingo in hell. Panoramic Endless Summer-type shots of Mel and the boys hanging 10 and scenes of teens bopping at a rock & roll hop frame a plot involving statutory rape and murder. Gibson plays Scollop, the carefree, sweet one in the group. He's a genuine beach boy: blond and tan and obsessed with surfing. Sandy (John Jarratt), a dour fellow on a last fling before marriage, asks Scollop what he's going to be doing in 10 years' time. Scollop replies: "I'll be doing something in 10 years' time. So I guess in 10 years' time that's what I'll be doing." It's logic worthy of Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Scollop's twin in spirit. Gibson's ease in front of the camera and natural acting talent shine through even here. He brings his trademark breezy charm and a surprising emotional range to this beach bum role. It's no wonder that he went on to become an international superstar. --Laura Mirsky
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