Summertime

Watch: Summertime

6/21/19551h 40m

Theatrical Release (US)

~ All the pent-up yearning of her life was finally fulfilled ... amid the splendor of the world's most fabulous city! ~

Overview:

Middle-aged Ohio secretary Jane Hudson has never found love and has nearly resigned herself to spending the rest of her life alone. But before she does, she uses her savings to finance a summer in romantic Venice, where she finally meets the man of her dreams, the elegant Renato Di Rossi.

Director:

David Lean

Status:

Released

Language:

English

Buget:

$1,100,000.00

Revenue:

$6,500,000.00

Key words:

venice, italy
gondola
longing
sightseeing
vacation
love
young boy
loneliness
attraction
canal
american tourist
lonely woman

Cast

Katharine Hepburn

~ as ~

Jane Hudson

Rossano Brazzi

~ as ~

Renato de Rossi

Isa Miranda

~ as ~

Signora Fiorini

Darren McGavin

~ as ~

Eddie Yaeger

Mari Aldon

~ as ~

Phyl Yaeger

Jane Rose

~ as ~

Edith McIlhenny

MacDonald Parke

~ as ~

Lloyd McIlhenny

Jeremy Spenser

~ as ~

Vito de Rossi

Gaetano Autiero

~ as ~

Mauro

Virginia Simeon

~ as ~

Giovanna

View full cast & crew

Reviews (1)

CinemaSerf
Written 2 year(s) ago
7
This is a fine double header featuring an on form Katharine Hepburn and the charming and addictive Rossano Brazzi. The former is "Jane", a middle-aged American lady who is holidaying in Venice when she encounters the latter - "Renato" - a slightly roguish but intriguing antiques dealer who gradually sets his sights on her. "Jane" is a bit of the archetypal spinster. She has always lived her life alone and feels she has few skills to deal with the attentions of her new beau. That said, she is also appreciative that Venice, and all it's beauty, needs to be shared - and "Renato" might just be the man to help her evolve as a woman. Quickly, we learn, though, that "Renato" has quite a big secret that will undoubtedly affect their relationship! Hepburn is perfect for the role - she manages to demonstrate a curiosity and a willingness to develop as a person whilst also appearing vulnerable and almost as fragile as the Murano glass she frequently admires. Brazzi has the charm and sophistication ok, but he also has an humanity and charisma to him that makes this an easy to watch love story that is enjoyably devoid of sentiment, and that - though complicated - never comes across as manipulative or sleazy. Jack Hildyard and David Lean make great use of their stars and of their venue to create a stylish and classy feature that, coupled with an original and well complementing score from Alessandro Cicognini create a story that works really quite well. I'm not so sure the title helps it much, it's a little on the flat side, but the film is a stunning to watch outing for two people who just click from the start.