5/5 stars
Close your eyes and imagine this unorthodox combination: The Hangover meetsMoonrise Kingdom. Throw in Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally — Ron Swanson and Tammy 2 on “Parks and Recreation” — and you’ve got The Kings of Summer. But director Jordan Vogt-Roberts makes it all work, expertly crafting a group of rowdy teenage boys with his own highly stylized charm in this already acclaimed coming-of-age film.
Timed perfectly for the beginning of summer, The Kings of Summer features teens Joe (Nick Robinson), Patrick (Gabriel Basso) and Biaggio (Moises Arias) who, tired of their overbearing parents, decide to move out and live off the land. They build a “house” (more like a shack) in the middle of the forest where they won’t be discovered.
The boys learn the hard way about construction, hunting and independence from their families. Joe is the group’s ringleader, desperate to prove his manhood to himself and his father (Offerman). His relationship with his father has been strained ever since his mother’s death, and it is Joe who initially decides to leave home to pursue a summer in the woods. Patrick and Joe are best friends, but their relationship evolves from friendship to brotherhood as they explore the woods and learn about themselves in the process.
Biaggio is the pint-sized equivalent of The Hangover’s Alan. Although he at first wedges himself into Joe and Patrick’s friendship, ultimately he becomes an equally valued brother. Although Biaggio provides constant comic relief, he offers unexpected wisdom that creates some of the film’s best moments.
Even in the woods, Joe and Patrick can’t escape all the problems of the real world. Joe’s crush on Kelly (Erin Moriarty) tests his relationship with Patrick, especially when Kelly chooses Patrick over him. During an overnight visit to the house, Kelly approaches Joe and Patrick’s bunk beds, and Joe’s eyes light up. A kaleidoscope of emotions passes over his face as he sees her ask Patrick to take a walk. It is a testament to Robinson’s talent that Joe’s despair takes over the scene.
Meanwhile, Joe’s and Patrick’s parents search for their children. Joe’s surly, unhappy father takes out his pain on his children, including his daughter Heather (Alison Brie). Patrick’s Type-A parents are the exact opposite, but all of the parents question how their sons became so miserable that they chose to run away.
The Kings of Summer is a complex, awkward, angsty coming-of-age tale that may not be as flashy as a traditional summer blockbuster, but still has a huge heart. It captures the good and the bad of a teenage summer, from cringe-worthy first attempts at love to the season’s atmosphere of jubilant freedom. Strong performances from the largely unknown young actors certainly deserve the praise they received at Sundance. The film is currently in limited release in select cities, but The Kings of Summer is definitely worth the trip.
