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One Crazy Summer

Sometimes when you watch something from the past you’ll label it without a second’s hesitation as dated. This is especially true when it comes to the 1980’s movies with the characters wearing shorts way above their knees, goofy sunglasses, and of course typical 80’s music which scores over multiple montages. One Crazy Summer was released in 1986 and fosters this era of ingredients, but it’s not as blatant because the comedy is goofy and quite absurd.

John Cusack stars as Hoops McCann, an aspiring artist who just graduated from high school and hopes to go to art school. In an attempt to help Hoops find his way, his pal George takes him away to Nantucket for the summer. There a summer of craziness ensues as on the way they pick up a singer, Cassandra (Demi Moore), and try and help her save her home from a greedy family that plans to demolition homes. Laughs come barreling out from the onslaught of wild and crazy antics from a series of the talented type casted backdrop of actors.

With regards to the structure of storytelling and film, this movie for the most part works. It’s insanely absurd, but is acceptable because it stays within the realm of the rules it establishes in the beginning. I’m not saying what happens is believable, by no means is it. But I feel from the opening scenes we are presented with a world where strange and random things happen. For the first half of the movie, it’s strong and constant, but if I had to pinpoint the breaking point, One Crazy Summer falters towards the end. By no means does it fall flat on its face, but it gets a little bit over the top contradicting some of the established rules.

John Cusack reprised his comedic role as a straight man where he’s enveloped by crowds of comedic side characters that blurt out nonsensical jargon that in a way makes sense, but constantly has us falling to the floor holding our sides.

One Crazy Summer is a wild and out simple comedy that follows the structured traditional rules of film storytelling. It’s short and sweet and has characters that you can latch onto. Sure, it’s stupid on many occasions, but there’s a certain loveable quality as Hoops’ cartoons make their way on screen appropriately showing animation sequences. The random humor incorporated here probably was at least a subconscious source of inspiration for some of the animated comedies of today. So if you’re a fan of modern random funnies, it might be worth taking a look at One Crazy Summer to see that sort of humor generated by real flesh.

Written by: John Berkowitz

Reviewers Rating: 6
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