Preview: Summer Hours (2009)

Synopsis:

Three young adults must decide what to do with their mother's house, a place they could all come together and escape their lives and find civility among family, after her death.

• Poster: C+

Review:

I'm sure this is a scene from the film, but what it is in relation to is hard to figure out. The colors and layout are pleasant to look at, but it doesn't seem to evoke many emotions that relate to the picture itself.

• Trailer: B

Review:

With Juliette Binoche and Jeremie Renier, it's possible this could be a popular flick in the foreign art house circuit, but I doubt it can cross over to mainstream America without some serious end-of-year consideration and even then, it may be too familial and not explosive enough for most even if it does seem to be a nice examination of family dynamics.

Oscar Prospects:

A lot depends on how well it performs on the indie circuit and also whether France decides to submit the film for Oscar consideration. If it does, it could very well have a chance at a nomination and maybe a win like Barbarian Invasions, but it may be just as likely to miss out there but earn recognition in the screenplay category.

Release Date:

• May 15, 2009

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (April 12, 2009) Original