Review of Last Summer (2023 Film):

I believe the initial intention of “Last Summer” was to make the audience a bit uncomfortable and challenge their view on a controversial topic. However it is the lack of dynamics and tension that makes this film plain and dull. Eventhough the story itself is outrageous and shocking, that sadly doesn’t translate to the narrative. The scenes that should have been the most intense just pass by and the tale goes on. Personally I think what could have helped to build some gradation was to add some background music (there is no film score at all), that would have helped to depict the atmosphere of the scene more accurately. Something positive that I can say about “Last Summer” is the focus on the portrayal of female gaze and female pleasure, that is still missing in some productions today. But unfortunately overall it felt monotonous and I would also say incomplete…

It’s the story of a pedophile, perverted and manipulative woman who tries to keep her family intact while continuing incest with her step-son. She manipulates her husband and blackmails her son-in-law, all in a bourgeois provincial environment. Of course, as she is a pedophile woman, the director shows us this abject relationship as a beautiful love story! What is completely funny is that the woman who is a lawyer deals with cases of mistreated adolescents and victims of abuse! Great line-up of actors who play the characters with nuance and authenticity. I got completely into the story despite the deviant content of this film.