Is Summer on the Frontline: A Boy's Story Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2015)

📖 The Core Premise

Summer on the Frontline: A Boy's Story returns to the screen in 2015, bringing a fresh narrative to the Drama genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Keisuke, 15-year-old junior-high school boy, has been forced to live as refugees with his family in temporary housing apart from a hometown as a result of the Great East Japan Earthquake.In 2012, he belongs to a broadcasting club of his junior-high, to which he has to be admitted for the earthquake. He spends time with some fellows of a club. But all equipment to make their works of it has been washed away by the tsunami. He decides to give up his filmmaking in this summer, which will be the last time of his junior-high days to make a work.But one day a man who lives in a small village in Heilongjiang, China donates the equipment for filmmaking to Keisuke's school. Also Keisuke, his fellows and his teacher have been invited by him to shoot a film in China. And they are travelling to shoot around the boundless Chinese land."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In Summer on the Frontline: A Boy's Story, Ryûichirô Shibata delivers a serviceable performance that keeps the narrative moving. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Drama. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Summer on the Frontline: A Boy's Story worth your time? If you appreciate Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Summer on the Frontline: A Boy's Story is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 94 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.