Talking about Staten Island Summer, a 2015 film that was released under the category of comedy and was written by Colin Jost and directed by Rhys Thomas, captures vividly the rascality of youth along with the nostalgia of the teenage years surrendering and bowing down to adulthood, and thus needs to be classified as a coming-of-age tale. Taking a loose inspiration from Jost’s working history as a lifeguard in New York, this film manages to fuse an age-old coming-of-age story touch with bizarre humor, quirky characters, and a sense of lazy summer chaos.
While the film itself does not attempt to bring anything groundbreaking to the stereotypical plot of coming-of-age films, its goal to achieve crudeness and sentimentality alongside laughter is met. Filled with a cast of Saturday Night Live and other comedic circles, Staten Island Summer is oversaturated with outlandish caricatures that set a uniquely humorous tone to the film. Overall, the film feels more personal than exaggerated, combining true experiences with odd cinematic twirls.
🎬 What is the Film About?
The film follows Danny Campbell (Graham Phillips) who is the main character along with Frankie (Zack Pearlman) his best friend. It is set during summer on Staten Island. While Danny is a brainiac high school graduate with plans of going to Harvard, Frankie is the polar opposite. He is devoted to partying and needs to indulge himself in girls while being academically less inclined. The duo works as lifeguards at the local public pool, which is set in a dysfunctional and eccentric stoner slacker, and pervert filled staff.
As summer sets in, Danny becomes infatuated with an older ex-classmate, now a daughter of a local mobster, Krystal Manicucci (Ashley Greene). On the other hand, Frankie is busy planning a wild send-off party at the pool, hoping to solidify their legacy before life takes them in different directions.
This film chronicles their misadventures featuring failed romances, peculiar encounters, and even Anthony: a bizarre pool manager whose obsession with rules extends to lifeguard ethics. Also included are Mary Ellen and coworkers who bring forth crushing sarcasm combined with extreme sex-positivity.
Throughout the film, Danny struggles with romantic idealism alongside a fear of growing up, all while feeling bound by loyalty to Frankie. The summer party serves as a stand-in for the last hurrah of adolescence, and by the end of the film, all must come to terms with summer’s inevitable end.
🎭 Main Cast and Performances
Graham Phillips as Danny Campbell: As the film’s straight man surrounded by a cast of vibrant characters, Phillips brings sincerity and charm to Danny. His journey through love, friendship, and uncertainty serves as the emotional backbone of the film.
Frankie as Zack Pearlman: Much of the film’s humor comes from Pearlman. While Frankie is rude, crude, impulsive, and loud, he is also fiercely loyal and endearing. Pearlman portrays him like a younger Jonah Hill which brings a surprising amount of heart and humor.
Krystal as Ashley Greene: Greene portrays the sexy, somewhat unattainable figure of Danny’s desire. Although her character is underwritten, Greene infuses enough charm to elevate Krystal beyond a one-dimensional character.
Cecily Strong, Bobby Moynihan, Fred Armisen, Will Forte: These SNL veterans contribute to the film with supporting roles that are diverse, ranging from bizarre to hysterical. Particularly, Moynihan has standout scenes as the over the top sweaty pool manager, Anthony.
Danny’s father is played by Jim Gaffigan, who offers some grounded and nurturing moments that provide balance to the chaotic narrative.
🎥 Direction and Style
The tone and pacing of the film are akin to sketch comedies, a style of Rhys Thomas, who directed the film and is a seasoned Saturday Night Live veteran. The quick pacing of the narrative often relies on gags, awkward humor, and swift jokes rather than deeply developed narrative arcs. The structure is more episodic in nature, weaving through subplots and comedic setups until arriving at the final party.
The sunny, nostalgic aesthetic weaves throughout the film’s visuals. Characters fill the pool which serves as the main setting. The ambiance captures a languid summertime feel, mirroring the fleeting juvenile season the film explores.
A more juvenile crude sense of humor dominates the film. It includes sexual innuendos, toilet jokes, nudity, and pranks. Although some jokes hit, many overshoot their target, uninspired and outdated – a hallmark of 2000s teen comedies.
🎯 Themes and Tone
Staten Island Summer centers around the last phase of adolescence, which is the period just before genuine adulthood commences.
Coming of Age: As the introspective and romantic immature adult, Danny is a more complicated character. His desire to stay in his hometown and pursue romance speaks to a common fear of change.
Friendship and Loyalty: The crux of the film revolves around the friendship between Danny and Frankie. Despite their contrasting personas, the strength of their loyalty shows how friendships shift as people mature.
Nostalgia and Escapism: The film portrays suburban summers with warmth, capturing the languid days filled with shallow pastimes: crushes, mischief, and lounging by the pool.
Comedy and Exaggeration: The silliness of the supporting characters and over-the-top swimming pool drama increases the comedic level while still staying grounded. There is an enhanced reality in which restaurant owning mobsters operate in the neighborhood and lifeguards are treated like local legends.
Small-Town Identity: Staten Island serves as more than just a setting; it’s part of the film’s personality. The community’s sociological interactions, their attitudes, and idiosyncrasies become integral to the characters’ identity.
📊 Reception and Legacy
Critically engaging with the film, review aggregators, and audiences suggest Staten Island Summer had mixed reception in July 2015 following its Netflix release. Reviewers appeared charmed and entertained, praising the film’s likability, but often pointed to issues with a lack of cohesive structure and over reliance on cliché devices. For fans of SNL-styled humor or light comedies, it was a nice summer watch, albeit forgettable.
Despite the lack of critical acclaim, the film found a modest audience, especially among younger viewers who connected with its coming-of-age elements or enjoyed the crude humor. Due to streaming availability and association with popular comedians, it gained a small cult following.
Cemented as a “relatable slice of life comedic film,” its strength remains its humor. Almost anyone who has gone through the strife of summer jobs, high school infatuations, or the anxiety of venturing out on one’s own will find it easy to connect with.
🔚 Conclusion
Staten Island Summer does not aim to be a genre-defining comedy, and it does not attempt to do so. It is a snapshot of a fleeting phase in life—amusing, silly, and brimming with opportunities. The film captures the essence of youth with a blend of nostalgia, sincerity, and irreverence, serving as a gentle tribute to the turmoil and splendor of being young and carefree.
For those seeking a lighthearted summer comedy, Staten Island Summer offers an enjoyable experience with absurd characters and relatable moments.
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