Something Like Summer – A Journey Through Love, Identity, and Growing Up
Something Like Summer (2017), directed by David Berry and based on the acclaimed novel by Jay Bell, is a heartfelt coming-of-age drama that traces the evolving relationship between two young men over the course of several years. Set against a backdrop of self-discovery, heartbreak, and personal transformation, the film delves into themes of love, identity, and the complexity of growing up queer in a world that often offers no easy answers.
At the heart of the story is Benjamin Bentley (Grant Davis), an openly gay teenager in suburban Texas who dreams of love and connection beyond the ordinary. When he becomes infatuated with Tim Wyman (Davi Santos), a handsome and popular athlete who appears to be straight, Benjamin’s life is set on a course filled with intense emotion, hope, and longing. Despite initial denials and hesitations, a secret romance blossoms between the two, one filled with both passionate highs and painful lows.
But this is no simple teen love story. Something Like Summer spans over a decade of Benjamin’s life, chronicling his emotional growth and the relationships that shape him—most notably with Jace Holden (Ben Baur), a kind and stable flight attendant who represents a more grounded, enduring kind of love. As the years pass, Benjamin is forced to confront his own insecurities, the lingering wounds from his first love, and the choices that define who he becomes.
What sets the film apart is its structure and emotional complexity. Rather than offering a linear love story with a neat resolution, Something Like Summer paints a more realistic portrait of love and loss over time. Benjamin's journey is messy, full of mistakes and moments of vulnerability, but it is also deeply human. The film explores how first loves can haunt us, how people change, and how love sometimes means letting go.
Visually, the film uses music and color to emphasize emotional beats, with several musical numbers that highlight Benjamin’s inner thoughts and dreams. These sequences add a unique, theatrical flair to the film, reinforcing the theme of self-expression. While the musical moments may not appeal to all viewers, they serve to enrich the character’s emotional world and give the film a distinctive identity.
The performances—particularly by Grant Davis as Benjamin—carry the emotional weight of the film. Davis brings sincerity and charm to a character who is both endearingly romantic and frustratingly flawed. Davi Santos as Tim captures the inner conflict of someone torn between societal expectations and genuine desire, while Ben Baur offers a warm, mature contrast as Jace, grounding the story with his steady presence.
Something Like Summer ultimately speaks to the resilience of the heart. It portrays the bittersweet nature of love: how it can grow, fade, return, and transform us. While not without imperfections in pacing and tone, the film offers a rare and earnest depiction of a gay romance that spans years, evolving with the characters rather than ending in tragedy or sensationalism.
In the end, Something Like Summer is a tender, hopeful film about finding yourself, loving others, and learning to move forward—even when it hurts.
