Is This One Summer Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2023)

🎬 The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

This One Summer, a standout production of 2023, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Comedy, Drama landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Every summer, 10-year-old Dune goes with her parents to the south-west coast of France, where she meets her best friend Mathilde. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy, Drama are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Every summer, 10-year-old Dune goes with her parents to the south-west coast of France, where she meets her best friend Mathilde. Together, they explore pine forests, contemplate the shape of clouds, follow teenagers and crash their parties, and secretly watch horror films. But this one summer is special for Dune – last year, the family skipped their usual holiday without her knowing why. She feels that something has changed. As childhood becomes a little more distant, she begins to see adults and teenagers differently and understand their secrets."

🎭 Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. In This One Summer, we see Rose Pou Pellicer utilizing their established screen presence to carry the story forward. It is a solid, workmanlike performance that serves the director's vision without overshadowing the larger narrative goals.

The direction by Eric Lartigau is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 99 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

🤔 Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is This One Summer truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, Drama, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 5.4/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

⚖️ Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, This One Summer explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2023 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Eric Lartigau respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

🏆 Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, This One Summer is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Rose Pou Pellicer or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, This One Summer is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.