SUNDANCE REVIEW: “Chasing Summer” (2026)

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Those familiar with director Josephine Decker’s films might be surprised by “Chasing Summer,” her new comedy at Sundance. It’s a big departure from her usual style. While it’s great to see filmmakers try new things, this experiment doesn’t quite work, proving that venturing into new territory doesn’t always lead to success.

Although actor Vir Das’s performance has some weak spots, the biggest problem with the film is its script, written by Iliza Shlesinger. Das doesn’t seem comfortable with the material, which starts promisingly but quickly becomes confusing. The story ultimately falls apart due to an unbelievable twist that creates a massive plot hole, completely undermining the already fragile premise.

The movie begins by introducing Jamie, a woman in her forties who works as a relief worker helping those affected by tornadoes in Mississippi. While she’s there, her boyfriend of five years ends their relationship. With nowhere to go, Jamie moves back to her hometown in Texas to spend the summer with her parents.

Jamie has difficult memories of her hometown and hasn’t visited in twenty years. She left after a painful breakup with her ex-boyfriend, Chase (Tom Welling), and damaging rumors spread throughout the town, ruining her reputation. Now, she’s returned and must face her past, reconnecting with family, friends, and an old flame.

The movie focuses on Jamie grappling with her past and how it impacts her present, and this is most evident in her often uncomfortable encounters with people she used to know. Her parents, Layanne (played by Megan Mullally) and Randall (Jeff Perry), are particularly memorable as quintessential small-town characters who provide a lot of humor. We also meet Jamie’s blunt older sister, Marissa (Cassidy Freeman), who runs the local roller rink, and three of her former classmates (Aimee Garcia, Lauren Aboulafia, and Lindsey Moore)—all now married with families. And then there’s Chase, still popular around town.

Okay, so at first, this movie seemed like a really fun, classic screwball comedy – I was totally into it! But things quickly went downhill. It just became… messy and predictable, and honestly, sometimes it didn’t even make sense. The biggest problem? Jamie starts a relationship with Colby, this guy who’s way younger – like, fresh out of high school. And it’s not subtle! While age-gap romances aren’t unheard of, this one felt really awkward and like something out of a bad teen movie. And then, the plot took a turn that was so crazy, it completely ruined any chance of taking the story seriously. It was a real letdown.

“Chasing Summer” is a puzzling disappointment, feeling disjointed throughout. The film starts strong, but unfortunately declines, culminating in a weak ending that ultimately undermines it. While the initial collaboration between Decker and Shlesinger shows promise with a quirky yet relatable comedy, the movie ultimately becomes a bland and easily forgotten experience, best suited for streaming. It doesn’t represent the creative leap forward one would expect from a director like Decker.

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2026-02-03 18:57