The Hottest Summer

A light-hearted and entertaining film, but in some parts also surprisingly tender and moving. Definitely not what I expected! Story-wise, is simple yet clear and very effective, never predictable and witty. Pilati's direction serves the story well: it's a film that never takes itself too seriously, even the most dramatic scenes always have a little irony in them (e.g. When the girls have a catfight in the middle of the night we hear actual cats fighting and also someone yelling at the window telling them to shut up, I found it really funny!).

Very good performances from the cast: Gianmarco Saurino is one of Italy's most interesting actors, newcomers Nicole Damiani and Alice Angelica (but also dancer/choreographer Giuseppe Giofrè and all the other young people) give credible and strong performances; comedian Nino Frassica is funny as usual and screen legend Stefania Sandrelli is just sublime.

The music is gorgeous, Sicily is so beautiful I need to book a flight and go there.

"The Hottest Summer" is much more than a young adult summer movie.

I loved this sexy, deep and overall thoughtful comedy. Gianmarco Saurino is not only a handsome guy but an actor who can express well the nuances of a troubled priest. The two leads, Nicole Damiani and Alice Angelica, are great in their debuts and their bickering is textbook. As a Sicilian, I am happy to see breathtaking landscapes, dialogue FINALLY written in a realistic manner and without clichés about the region. The direction is elegant and the writing at times hilarious. The co-stars are also very good, Frassica has some brilliant moments, Sandrelli is a living legend but everyone (also Michela Giraud, dancer Giuseppe Giofré, Mehdi Meskar) works well. There is a lot of synergy among the boys and sometimes it seems to see them playing secretly, with each other, without the filter of the camera.