Best Summer Ever (2021): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Best Summer Ever is a 2021 musical directed by Lauren Smitelli and Michael Parks Randa, starring Shannon DeVido as Sage, Rickey Alexander Wilson and Eileen Grubba. It runs 1 hour 12 minutes and earned $629,451 worldwide. Critics gave it 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 12m (72 min)
- Directors
- Lauren Smitelli and Michael Parks Randa
- Genre
- Musical
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- Freestyle Digital Media
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Best Summer Ever About?
The premise of Best Summer Ever without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
This vibrant musical follows Sage and Anthony as their cherished dance camp memories lead to unexpected reunions and the complexities of high school. Their romance is challenged by social cliques, intense rivalries, and hidden secrets. They must navigate the difficulties of balancing their passions and personal identities while confronting the realities of growing up and the pressures of adolescence.
Best Summer Ever Cast & Characters
Shannon DeVido leads the cast as Sage, with Rickey Alexander Wilson as Tony Michaels and Eileen Grubba as Kate. Directed by Lauren Smitelli and Michael Parks Randa; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Lauren Smitelli
- Co-director Michael Parks Randa
- Shannon DeVido as Sage
- Rickey Alexander Wilson as Tony Michaels
- Eileen Grubba as Kate
- Holly Palmer as Gillian
Also Starring in Best Summer Ever
· 16 moreBest Summer Ever Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Best Summer Ever 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 72 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 72/100, strongest in art & craft (80) and weakest in story & flow (60).
Best Summer Ever Echo Score Breakdown
The film’s strength lies in its inclusive casting and joyful energy, offset by a predictable narrative and uneven audio quality. Reviews note the celebratory tone and diverse representation that give the movie a distinctive charm, even as its plot relies on familiar tropes. While the pacing remains brisk and the visual design is vibrant, coherence varies across scenes. In summary, Best Summer Ever offers enjoyable moments and thematic inclusivity, tempered by technical and narrative inconsistencies.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 80
In terms of art and craft, the film excels with a vibrant visual palette and dynamic production design. Reviews highlight the golden light and candy-colored aesthetic that capture the feel-good ambience of classic teen musicals. While some sequences feel overly stylized, the overall direction and cinematography maintain a cohesive sense of joy. Netting out, the visual execution consistently supports the film’s exuberant tone.
- Character & Emotion 75
When it comes to character and emotion, Best Summer Ever is buoyed by its diverse and inclusive cast that brings earnest enthusiasm to each role. Performances resonate through palpable chemistry, even if certain portrayals occasionally strain credibility. The emotional warmth stands out, fostering viewer engagement despite casting choices that stretch age authenticity. Overall, the character dynamics deliver a heartfelt connection grounded in representation.
- Story & Flow 60
Regarding story and flow, the narrative adheres to familiar high school musical tropes with predictable plot beats. Critics note the brisk pacing keeps the film moving but offers little in terms of originality or depth. While the steady rhythm retains engagement, moments of narrative sameness emerge. Ultimately, the storyline provides a light, fast-paced framework, though it stops short of delivering substantive surprises.
- Sensory Experience 70
In sensory terms, the movie offers catchy songs and a lively soundtrack that often linger memorably after viewing. The sound design, however, suffers from inconsistent mixing that undermines the overall auditory experience. Visually, the cohesive color scheme and set pieces enrich the musical atmosphere, while audio inconsistencies occasionally distract. Overall, the sensory elements oscillate between infectious musical numbers and technical limitations.
- Rewatch Factor 75
As for rewatch factor, the film’s upbeat soundtrack and inclusive presentation encourage repeat viewings. The memorable tunes and vibrant atmosphere offer enduring appeal, especially for audiences drawn to musical nostalgia. However, the predictable storyline and minor technical flaws may lessen enthusiasm over subsequent viewings. In conclusion, Best Summer Ever delivers sufficient charm for multiple watches, though its replay value is modestly constrained by narrative repetition.
-
Rotten Tomatoes 85% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 94%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 72 Metascore
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 67% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.3 /5
1 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Best Summer Ever Plot Summary
What happens in Best Summer Ever from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with Tony Michaels, an ambitious dancer, diligently preparing for a routine at Lakeview Dance Camp. As the camp season draws to a close, he and his girlfriend, Sage, share a heartfelt goodbye. She gifts him sunflower seeds to plant in a meaningful spot, while he gives her an eagle necklace to remember him by. However, Tony is also a high school football player grappling with the weight of expectations from his coach, who serves as a father figure to him, and the entire school, as they look forward to a Homecoming game that he feels compelled to win. On the other side, Sage balances her nomadic life with her two mothers, Kate and Gillian, who run a medicinal marijuana business.
Full summary
The whole story of Best Summer Ever, scene by scene
Best Summer Ever Box Office
Best Summer Ever grossed $629,451 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$629.5K
- International
- $629.5K
Best Summer Ever Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Best Summer Ever.
How Well Do You Know Best Summer Ever?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What secret passion does Tony Michaels have besides dancing?
Best Summer Ever Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “The Homecoming: A Musical” and “Ready to Ride”.
- Also known as
-
- The Homecoming: A Musical
- Ready to Ride
- Самое лучшее лето: Мюзикл
Seen Best Summer Ever?
Best Summer Ever FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Best Summer Ever, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Best Summer Ever?
Best Summer Ever runs 1 hour 12 minutes (72 minutes).
When was Best Summer Ever released?
Best Summer Ever was released on April 27, 2021.
Who directed Best Summer Ever?
Best Summer Ever was directed by Lauren Smitelli and Michael Parks Randa.
Who is in the cast of Best Summer Ever?
Best Summer Ever stars Shannon DeVido as Sage, Rickey Alexander Wilson as Tony Michaels and Eileen Grubba as Kate, among 20 credited actors.
How much did Best Summer Ever make at the box office?
Best Summer Ever grossed $629,451 worldwide.
How is Best Summer Ever rated?
Best Summer Ever has 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 72 on Metacritic, 67% on TMDB and 3.3/5 on Letterboxd.
Does Best Summer Ever have a post-credit scene?
No. Best Summer Ever has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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