"The Summer Book"

 2025 * Not Rated * 1h 35m I frequently check the streaming service Kanopy to see what films have been added. When I noticed a film starring Glen Close, adding it to my queue was a no brainer. I don’t think Ms. Close has ever made a movie that was less than great. The legendary actor has made a career out of challenging roles in films such as “Fatal Attraction,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” and “The Wife.” This is definitely up there with the best of them; actually it’s probably the finest performance I’ve seen from her.

“The Summer Book” is based on the 1972 best-selling novel of the same title by Tove Jansson. The screenplay was by Jansson and Robert Jones and the film was directed by Charlie McDowell (“The One I Love,” “Windfall,” and “The Discovery”). Hania Rani contributed one of those subtle yet effective scores that beautifully enhances the overall tone of the movie. And the brilliant camera work of Sturia Brandth Grovlen, masterfully captured the breathtaking location—especially the glorious sunrises and sunsets.

This is one of those magical films that gently washes over you like waves lapping against a rocky shore. There’s very little action and it’s character and dialogue driven. But that okay. We need a healthy dose of films like this to rejuvenate our souls once in a while. “The Summer Book” is a film that makes you a bit jealous of a family’s summer vacation. How amazing would to be to spend a summer on rocky island in the middle of nowhere?!

A father (Anders Danielson Lie), his daughter Sophia (Emily Matthews), and her Grandmother (Glen Close), return to their cabin on a remote island off the coast of Finland. As they enter their family cabin, they spot a straw hat hanging on a coatrack. Grandmother quickly snatches it and puts it away. It’s a subtle hint that the wearer (Sophia’s mother) is no longer with us. We learn later that she recently passed away.

Almost as soon as they arrive, father sets to work on a project. He’s an artist and is usually to be found at his drawing board, working on a series of illustrations. He seems a little distant and sad, and you feel he’s using his work to help put off dealing with his grief. He doesn’t intentionally ignore his daughter, he’s just totally engrossed in his work.

While father toils away at his illustrating, Sophia and Grandmother spend their days exploring the island. The rich flora and fauna are a delight, and the cinematography is almost like something you’d see in a National Geographic TV special. Grandmother admits that she was largely responsible for bringing the Girl Scouts to the country and she proves to be a fount of information, much to Sophia’s delight. She also tells amusing tales of her youth, especially the time she spent on the island.

There are a couple scenes that I especially enjoyed. One is when Sophia and Grandmother take the rowboat out and visit a neighboring island. They’re greeted by a “No Trespassing” sign which they duly ignore. Then the owners, a young couple and their son arrive. I was sure that they were going to prove to be annoying outsiders who were on a mission to modernize their island and destroy its natural beauty. I was pleasantly surprised when they proved to be strict conservationists. They invite them into their home for a snack and have a great time together.

Another delightful scene is when one afternoon Sophia and her dad leave the island for the day. Grandmother takes advantage of the situation and has a grand day to herself. She takes a dip in the ocean. Smokes a cigarette. Prances through the forest in the buff. And spends some time lying on her back, gazing at the sky and reminiscing about her youth. It’s a segment that you simply don’t want to end.

When Ms. Close makes her first appearance in the film, I was shocked. “She can’t be THAT old,” I said to myself. Well, she isn’t. The makeup artists spent hours to make her appear in her mid-80s. If there’s an Oscar for makeup, the crew involved in this movie certainly deserve it, hands down! But a good deal of kudos also goes to Ms. Close. Her facial features did as much communicating as her voice—which had a perfect Scandinavian accent, I must say. She also nailed the stiff gate of an octogenarian. And her eyes just sparkle with amusement when she tells Sophie about her past.

I absolutely love this sweet, gentle movie. It’s one of those timeless tales that could have taken place just about anywhere or any time in history. Everything in it was sheer perfection. It’s a film the whole family can enjoy. As with quite a few of the movies I review, I can’t for the life of me figure out why it isn’t better know. I think once you’ve seen it, you’ll tell your friends about it.

5 out of 5 stars

Streaming for free on Kanopy with your library card and to rent on Apple TV, Fandango, YouTube and other streaming services.