Indian Summer (1996)

Director:

Nancy Meckler

Writer:

Martin Sherman (writer)

Release Date:

25 July 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

Love is the ultimate kick

Plot:

A passionately committed young dancer is forced to re-examine his career and life when faced with death...

Plot Keywords:

Dancer | Lover | Death | Dance Studio | Pain

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Jason Flemyng	...	Tonio
Antony Sher	...	Jack
Dorothy Tutin	...	Luna
Anthony Higgins	...	Ramon
Bill Nighy	...	Tristan
Philip Voss	...	Duncan
Diane Parish	...	Millie
Aiden Waters	...	Vincent
Natalie Roles	...	Catherine
Freddy Douglas	...	Luke
Kenneth Tharp	...	Howard
Michael Keegan-Dolan	...	Alan
Ruth Lass	...	Night Nurse
Linda Bassett	...	Doctor
Hilary Reynolds	...	Nurse

Also Known As:

Alive and Kicking (UK) (alternative title) (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for some strong sexuality, and for nudity and language.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

France:U | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Aegina, Greece

Company:

Greentrees Films

Movie Connections:

References My Own Private Idaho (1991)

At the "end of the day," love is really all that matters

Shown here on HBO Signature as "Alive and Kicking," I've seen this film twice now, and I marvel at how well it was put together, and how incredible it is that it never received the notices or exposure it should have...but not that incredible. My guess is that States-side audiences, gay and otherwise, weren't quite ready for such an unconventional love story, in which AIDS is definitely an issue, but not the sole focal point of the story.

The tale revolves around the coupling of an HIV-infected, self-absorbed dancer (is there any other kind?) with the bearish, balding, hard-partying AIDS therapist who was treating one of the dancer's closest friends, who has just passed away as the movie unfolds.

Gay American filmmakers who didn't get a clue from movies like BEAUTIFUL THING, PRISCILLA or THE LOST LANGUAGE OF CRANES should've paid more attention here. The barriers between these two radically different people are given an honest presentation, and AIDS just happens to be one of them. No one is more surprised or stunned than these lovers are, (except maybe the audience), at the level of passion, tenderness, concern and brutal honesty that they unearth from one another's bodies and souls.

Rather than the idyllic romance of two Soloflexed beauties, the differences in personality and body type both clash and compliment the two men, and the excellent performances by Jason Flemyng as Tonio, the dancer, and the curmudgeonly-yet-cuddly Antony Sher as his new love keep the scenario real without disintegrating into queenly histrionics or maudlin manipulation.

The entire supporting cast is excellent, but special mention should be made of stage-and-screen vet Dorothy Tutin as Luna, the founder and lioness of the dance company of which Tonio is a part. Experiencing her own 'Indian Summer', the once-innovative choreographer is only spared the agony of watching in helpless anguish as this century's plague continues to decimate the ranks of her once vital company, due to the ironic cruelty of an ever-advancing case of Alzheimer's. Tutin never plays the role for obvious laughs, and the ghost of a once-great creative force that she shows us does elicit smiles, but sad, nostalgic ones.

Lovers of films "off-the-beaten-path" of any sexual persuasion should give this one a try. The rewards are worth it.