Film Of The Month: Summer of 85 is A Coming-Of-Age Drama That Balances Love, Life & Death
PUBLISHED June 8th, 2021 05:00 am | UPDATED June 15th, 2021 08:30 pm
Based on the 1982 novel, Dance on My Grave by Aidan Chambers, Summer of 85 (Été 85) is a melting pot of film genres all bundled into one. Is it a mystery, drama, or coming-of-age film? The answer to that question is simply, yes. Directed by French film director and screenwriter François Ozon, who’s known for exploring human sexuality in his films, Summer of 85 portrays this well between its two leads.
The premise follows Alexis Robin (Félix Lefebvre), who we quickly learn likes to go by Alex – just one of the points of symbolism alluding to his story arc. After going out sailing, Alex’s boat suddenly capsizes, where he’s soon rescued by David Gorman (Benjamin Voisin). This begins the titular “summer of 85,” where David transforms into Alex’s so-called ‘friend of his dreams’ – and something more, as their relationship develops.
The film cuts from a coming-of-age nostalgia with plenty of boardwalks and beaches, against saturated 80’s style neon-lit scenes, to a bleak ‘present-day’ where audiences find out Alex is at the police station. And it has something to do with a corpse – David’s to be exact. Suddenly, this quirky and explorational film is undercut by an off-kilter mystery of how David died. That’s where the mystery, or perhaps, murder-mystery comes in, depending on the way you watch it. The causes of David’s death and Alex’s arrest remain unknown till the very end.
Much of the film spends time delving into David and Alex’s misadventures as two teenage boys living life along the seaside of Normandy, like sailing through blue waters on breezy days and nighttime carnivals. We see both boys young and fresh-faced, doing as teenagers do – having a good time during summer. If you’re an 80’s baby, it’s just an added bonus that the soundtrack of Rod Stewart, Bananarama, and The Cure will probably make you reminisce your greatest memories.
But there’s an unsettling feeling brimming at the surface of Alex and David’s relationship, most of which is attributed to David’s strange mannerisms. This, coupled with the flash-forwards of a pale and disorientated Alex after David’s death, only leads to more questions. The film leads you to think, what did Alex do to David? And also, what did David do to Alex?
Both their friendship and relationship is dominated by David, as the older and more confident one of the two. He allows the shy and naive Alex to discover both summer experiences and personal experiences throughout their relationship. He also makes the moves on Alex first, which eventually leads to their summer fling. Charming and charismatic, David is everything Alex dreamed of, but is it all a façade? Because just as quickly as David brings Alex happiness, he easily takes it away as well.
The ideas of love and death are interrelated within this film, maybe a little too closely as both boys seem to have no problem talking about either topic in an alarming detail. If you aren’t watching because of the 80’s love story and sweet summer vibes, you’re watching to find out the mysteries surrounding David’s death, and vice versa. The film may be categorised as a ‘drama,’ but it has many layers to uncover as you watch. Summer of 85 wraps romance, mystery, and drama all into one.
Watch Summer of 85 at The Projector.
Top image: Summer of 85
