Coming of age stories about queer kids are still rare these days, rarer still a film about a queer kid that’s not just him coming out of the closet and the people in his life learning to accept him. Griffin in Summer, the feature debut of director Nicholas Colia, is a breath of fresh air, a hilarious and heartbreaking tale of queer youth and the all too common experience of crushing on an oblivious straight guy. Everett Blunck is a talented young actor who does a delicate balancing act between annoying and wistful. Because Griffin, as sympathetic as he might be, is extremely aggravating. And we love him for it!
Instead of going to summer camp, young Griffin (Blunck) hides away at home polishing his ambitious new play, which he intends to stage with his sort-of friends who may be outgrowing Griffin’s overbearing director persona. His mother Helen (Melanie Lynskey) is supportive but busy trying to keep a roof over their heads, as Griffin’s father seems to be more and more out of the picture these days. After a long day barking orders at his director/friend Kara (Abby Ryder Fortson), Griffin spots a handsome young man in his yard. Helen has hired Brad (Owen Teague) as their pool boy to help clean things up, sending Griffin into a tailspin. Naturally, the lad goes on an Internet stalking spree, learning that Brad is a performance artist in need of inspiration. One thing leads to another, and Griffin’s play suddenly has a new star.
Teague too is a star on the rise, one of my favorite young actors to watch. He plays Brad with great care, obliviousness cranked up with a yearner’s soul. Of course he has no idea Griffin is in love with him – he’s a kid! But he can’t pass up a chance to perform, even with a bunch of 14-year-olds. It’s a character that could easily become creepy, but Teague and the charming script hold steady. It’s remarkable how propulsive a little comedy set mostly in one house can feel. Griffin’s frustration at his own feelings getting in the way of his carefully laid plans is deeply relatable.
Griffin in Summer is a gay Bildungsroman that is vital representations for anyone who used to be a grating theater kid with big dreams unaware of how his words and actions affect those around him. Hopefully Griffin can take the lessons he learns this summer to heart before he goes out into the real world. There are more than a few gay guys out there who could use some Griffin-esque humbling…
Griffin in Summer
2025
Dir. Nicholas Colia
90 min
Available to rent or purchase on VOD Tuesday, September 16th!
