Humdrum Plumm Summer. Hum dee dum dum Plumm.
This was basically my main feeling about the family movie. A real thumb-twiddler. The movie that basically lacks any real association with any genre--it's neither drama, nor comedy, nor action film, etc.--had a sporadic theater stint and is now finding its way to DVD stands.
If this release was during wintertime, this movie wouldn't stand a chance. Not just because it has "summer" in its title, but because of the significant thumb-twiddler quality. Summertime for youngsters is prime for relaxation. It's a movie that doesn't need to keep you on the edge of your seat, because it's objective is to keep you slumped far into the back of your chair. Not just any chair. No. A Plumm Summer wants you deep into a thick-cushioned, plush recliner; drinks for the armrest cooler, sold separately.
The movie maximizes its status as a summertime show by making a slow moving film and a lot of outdoor shooting. The movie begins with Elliot (Chris Kelly, a young actor with no other real credits yet; he's definitely got the face for Hollywood) and his little brother, Rocky, walking in the sunshine.
Did you see Jerry Maguire? Rocky, played by Owen Pearce, is basically a brown haired version of the kid in Jerry Maguire. "Did you know the human head weighs eight pounds?" Jerry didn't. Neither did I. But that tidbit has stayed with me since 1996. Why, you ask? Two-fold. First, the character always stuck with me because of his cute round silver-framed glasses. And second, it was the little guy's voice. The speech impediment and the sloshy words that spilled out too quickly to be understood. You have him in your mind? OK. That's Owen Pearce in A Plumm Summer. For the first few minutes of the film, the young Rocky is talking a mile-a-minute to his big brother as they walk along a river under the Montana summer rays. I honestly thought the movie was in another language. I was fumbling for the remote's subtitle button to choose English. I mean, I speak a little French...but I'm sans practice.
But, after I caught up to what he was saying I was able to ease into his vernacular. The Plumm family is just like most with two sons, the two brothers doing as brothers do: a mixture of playing and fighting, fighting and playing. While Elliot has an interest in photography, the young Rocky has an interest in only one thing: Froggy-doo. He's the star of a local television show, a puppet operated by showman Happy Herb. The role this actor is most noted for also has a rather silly name-the Fonz. Yeah. Happy Herb is played by none other than Henry Winkler, and in Plumm you get to see him wear a silver sequin-banded top hat. What could be better? Seeing Winkler with the glitz was like Danny Zuko singing "Grease Lightning" in the Travolta musical. From leather to glittery glam in seconds.
In a show the Fonz...err...Happy Herb performs for a crowd full of kids, Froggy-doo is mysteriously kidnapped. This sends Rocky into a depression as deep as a four-year-old who lost his favorite puppet could go. Offering up a $700 reward for the safe return of FD (calling him Froggy-doo is getting ridiculous), Elliot goes to Happy Herb to tell him he's on the hunt for the Rocky's green friend.
As the movie unfolds, it balances its cheesy bits with its serious ones. For instance, the FBI gets put on the case to find the frog. It was nice that it was self-reflexive - in that it realizes the ridiculousness of having the Feds come to look for a puppet lost by a man who wears a sequin hat - but still very cheesy. Or the teenage Elliot falling for the blond girl who lives next door. Also cheesy. Plumm tries to balance all the family-friendly tackiness with a dramatic storyline: the alcoholic father (played by the lesser known Baldwin brother, William). The classic family-oriented push for drama would normally punch it up, but here it adds a very sluggish quality. I found myself waiting for these scenes to end. The moments were few and far between, what with all the cheesiness that had to be worked in, but when they came the crying sagas between father and son were just uncomfortable to watch. The actors didn't have much chemistry and the scenes felt clunky and forced.
Where the small gems lay were moments between the boys and Rocky's endearing childish longing for his puppet pal to come back home. For a family flick it's not bad, but mind you it must be watched in the summer season. So moms and dads, set your family up with this DVD and settle into that La-Z-Boy. If you stocked the armrest cooler (which I would recommend for this situation) don't hold the drink too tightly. Wouldn't want to miss the prime thumb-twiddling moments.
DVD Bonus Features
For a pretty dull movie I have to say the extras are pretty good. There's a commentary as per usual, but in addition there's a deleted scenes section and a gag reel. You should avoid the deleted scenes because let's face it: if they cut it from a mediocre movie, they must be awful (and they are). It's just a matter of simple logic. The gag reel is pretty cutesy which went hand in hand with the family-aimed movie. On top of that there's a behind-the-scenes on the "Red Carpet" featurette. This was pretty comical because the movie was so pointless it didn't seem to warrant all of the "press." It was pretty great though that the cast and all attendees at the promotion party referred to A Plumm Summer as a "film" while the only person to call it like it was, was the film's director. She didn't claim more than it was, calling it a "movie" throughout the spontaneous interview. And also, Owen Pearce, the Jimmy Maguire look-a-like was by far the best-dressed person there, wearing a three-piece suit, while all others wore the equivalent of a polo shirt. Well done little man, well done.
"A Plumm Summer" is on sale May 5, 2009 and is rated PG. Children & Family. Written and directed by Caroline Zelder. Starring Chris Kelly, Jeff Daniels, Owen Pearce, William Baldwin.
