Summer Lovers

Before Marion Cotillard, before Audrey Tautou, before Juliette Binoche, before Isabelle Huppert became famous... there was Valerie Quennessen.The 5-star rating is meant and only meant for Valerie Quennessen, who played the French archaeologist Lina. Without her, the film would be one big male, ménage à trois fantasy cliché, albeit with awesome 80s music and cinematography. The first time she appears on screen is like magic, like all the blue sea water of the Mediterranean evaporated and settled in her eyes. No wonder Peter Gallagher's character was bewitched... because she really was mesmerizing... she walks around Santorini and you would want to follow her; she smiles and you could feel the sun smile with her; she cries and you would feel like your heart is breaking. And those eyes... those eyes... they simply take your breath away.Ms. Quennessen graduated from the Paris Conservatory - she was not some lightweight French actress who got by on her accent alone. She was the real deal. She had that distinctly European insouciance; yes, she was cool before being cool was fashionable. And that Quennessen charm carried this otherwise forgettable film. She made it unforgettable, and you would be in love with her by the time the end credits roll.What could have been? Would she have reached the pinnacle of fame, or remained true to her love of stage? Would she have been content being a maman and revel in obscurity? Maybe one day, when you walked along the Left Bank, and felt the fleeting essence of a woman with the Mediterranean Sea in her eyes, your heart would take flight and you would not even know why.Sadly, Valerie Quennessen died in a car accident 30 years ago, on March 19, 1989. We will never know to what worldly heights she could have ascended, or the depths of failures she could have descended and risen from, but it doesn't matter: she already had an ethereal beauty that did not belong on this earth. The Heavens simply took back what was rightly theirs, and the world is a little less bright because of it.

Finally, after all these years, they recaptured and remastered this great film into it's original 1.85:1 aspect ratio instead of the horrible pan and scan used in all previous releases. The picture quality is stunning compared to the original release. Better color, better detail definition and it even sounds better. This has always been one of our favorite movies and we're very happy to see it as it was originally meant to be seen by Kleiser and the screen writers. The full beauty of Santorini is shown along with the full beauty of the relationships of the 3 main characters. Very very well done.UPDATE!! This remaster also has a very nice additional surprise - HD surround sound! Brava!

It will make you want to drop everything, and run to Greece. I saw this in 1982, and know that someday, I would get to Greece, and because of this and then Shirley Valentine, there was no stopping me. Summer Lovers is gorgeous to look at. The people are beautiful. The scenery is stunning. The music is fun. The plot, dialogue, and acting are atrocious.....who care?!?!?!?!?!??!?! You can have this playing in the background while cleaning, and the next thing you know, you'll be booking a flight to the Greek Islands..........

Twilight Time did a great job with their limited edition Blu-ray of Summer Lovers. You get a terrific high def transfer of the movie in its original aspect ratio and a nice selection of extras. The extras include a director's commentary, a rare making-of doc, an isolated score and some amazing audition footage. A booklet is also included to round out the package.The movie itself features some amateurish acting and a screenplay that has a tendency to meander, but that's okay! This movie is like vicariously experiencing an amazing vacation in the Greek isles with a bunch of hot young people and some gorgeous views. It's definitely a product of its time, and it could only have been made in the early eighties. It manages the feat of being sensual without being raunchy. The soundtrack is great if you like music from the '80s (if you don't, you might find it intrusive).

if your young. if your rich. if your beautiful. if you go to Greece. you too can be in summer lovers - part 2. the film is the same as when It came out and I first saw it. only I have changed. I never did get to Greece, but I did get to Canada. uh...…..not the same, right? enjoy

Movie is actually pretty good - I saw it once on one of the movie channels a long time ago - this dvd has bee edited I am pretty sure. based on my memory there were parts which have been removed or shortened - I would probably not buy it again if I had know it was not full length

This is a beautiful little film that was overlooked back in the 80's. A young couple spend the summer on a blue sea picture perfect Greek Island, and all should BE perfect, but the boy Michael (Peter Gallagher) develops a wandering eye for a sexy neighbor. His girlfriend Cathy (Daryl Hannah) is the jealous type, but she is about to overcome that in unexpected ways.The movie is sexy, sensual and tasteful. Be prepared for naked beaches. It is really a coming of age story and interesting to see how these young people all develop their sense of identity and self esteem. The acting is a bit forced at times, but overall the movie flows and there are some really funny moments. Fantastic cinematography will make you want to pack your bags and head for Greece.What is 'love', what is a 'family', how should we love and how do we define ourselves and our relationships? A thought provoking film that probably would be better accepted now than at the time it was made. If you are open minded and love sun, sensuality, cute boys and beautiful women, this film is for you!

This movie is one of my 'cult favorites', I've liked it since it was released, and so I was willing to pay the high price.The bluray is 16x9, and the scenery looks great. It is a bit less sharp than a modern bluray made from a 4k master, butstill much better to look at than the DVD.

a pleasant surprise to find this film available after all these years. Only ever seen it when rented on VHS. This is not an 80's sex comedy where virginal young men (usually) go on holiday to try and "get laid" (as was the term back then) with hilarious (!) results. This as the director points out in his commentary early on, his homage to the 1970's French films where sexuality is explored sensitively not exploitatively. (interesting to see a trailer for BLAME IT ON RIO a remake of one such French film which did not have the charm of the original, making it more creepy in a sexual sense). Of course nudity plays a part in this film but mainly in the background of real backpackers whom were in Greece to shed there clothes/inhibitions. The main trio of characters we never see making love with gratuitous scenes of "humping" but just jumping into bed or waking the morning after. The recent commentary tells of the deaths of 2 of its stars and also of those behind the scenes that did not live to see the 90's, which is sad. Mark Watney the hero of THE MARTIAN would not enjoy the disco soundtrack, as the director picked mainly songs that were around at the time. The use of one of Chicago's ballads for the finale was fitting. Amusingly the director reads out a few thoughts of bloggers on the film, some saying it's disgusting (whom can't watch modern day reality T.V.) many whom say it inspired them to find themselves by travelling to Greece etc. Yes it's of its time, before aids and still quite innocent evading any issues of unwanted pregnancies/S.T.D.'s/drunken brawls/muggings/ruining the environment etc.

Summer Lovers DVD arrived on time pack which was fine DVD was fine I love the movie this product came on time will buy again

Excellent service and fast. I've been looking for this movie for years. Was delivered quickly and a great price

Muy buena película, me encantan los paisajes de Santorini, Grecia

As advertised, too expensive.