To call The Kings of Summer a ‘coming of age story’ could very well be construed as laziness, but actually it’s an entirely fitting description of this wonderful little indie comedy. While not groundbreaking in its narrative, the movie’s strengths lie in its cast and sharp writing.
Teenager Joe (Nick Robinson) is sick of everything. His frosty relationship with his sad-sack Dad (an excellent Nick Offerman) is the catalyst for him to run away from home with best pal Patrick (Gabriel Basso). Upon stumbling upon a idyllic woodland clearing, they set about building their own home, using everything from stolen timber to bits of corrugated iron. Along with their tag along weirdo buddy, Biaggio (Moisas Arias) they construct an impressive two story home – the ultimate dream treehouse, complete with makeshift conservatory and maisonette.
Soon, they’re fending for themselves, attempting to hunt and maintain their home. Joe’s aim is to become a man, to take control of his own destiny and live for himself. For a while, things are great and the film bathes in the golden sun as the boys adventure. Their woody home is shot lovingly, the camera gliding past the flora and fauna with ease.
Unsurprisingly, things don’t stay smooth for long. The boys stubble begins to grow, as does their animosity over, you guessed it, a girl. Joe invites school-friend and obvious crush Kelly (Erin Moriarty) to come see what they’ve built, hoping to woo her with his new-found masculinity. She, however, has eyes for Patrick. Meanwhile, Nick’s Dad is growing to understand his own failings as he worries about his son’s whereabouts.
Narratively, The Kings of Summer plays out exactly as you’d expect, with few surprises. That isn’t to its detriment in the slightest, as it’s off-beat comedy is beautifully delivered by a uniformly triumphant cast. Anyone who’s seen Parks & Rec will already be familiar with Offerman’s comedic superiority, but he’s more than matched here by his younger cast. More than this, we get to see him exercise his dramatic muscles – his portrayal of a man who’s unaware of just how miserable he is is genuinely affecting.
Ultimately the movie feels familiar in a warm and comfy way. It was criminally under-screened on theatrical release in the UK, so the current DVD release should give opportunity for more people to view this glowing indie gem.
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