A Plumm Summer
A Plumm Summer Image
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User Score
9.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 5 Ratings

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  • Summary: Froggy Doo, the wisecracking marionette operated and voiced by Happy Herb, is loved by all the kids – all the kids except young Elliott Plumm. Elliott (13) has outgrown the show and no longer believes in Froggy Doo; in fact, he doesn't believe in much of anything anymore, least of all himselelf, which causes a considerable amount of tension between him and his five year-old brother Rocky, who believes in everything – especially Froggy Doo. What's real for Elliott is the anxiety he feels at home. His father, Mick, an ex-boxer, treats his oldest son as though he’s invisible, and secretly blames the boy for his not going to the Olympics thirteen years ago. His mother, Roxie, loves him dearly, but is so busy trying to keep the bills paid, her husband sober, and her marriage together that she doesn’t have much time left for her firstborn son. Initially, Elliott has no interest in the Frog-napping, but when an odd-looking trailer pulls onto the empty lot next door carrying young Haley (a new neighbor, junior sleuth, and Trixie Belden fan), everything changes. Soon, Elliott, Haley, and Rocky band together and embark on a mission to find Froggy Doo. And what starts out as a lark for Elliott becomes increasingly essential as the stakes for him rise dramatically: if he can crack the case before the FBI, he could win the heart of the girl he's falling for, bond with his little brother, give his mother the reward money, and maybe, just maybe… earn his father's love. But the journey is never what we expect, and by the end of the road, everyone has learned a lot more than just who kidnapped Froggy Doo. (Freestyle Releasing)
    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Lael Loewenstein
    70
    Montana-set, reality-inspired picture feels like an homage to a bygone era of moviemaking: It takes its time to build character and story, there's hardly a CG effect in sight, and there's nothing high-concept about it.
  2. L.A. Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ella Taylor
    60
    A Plumm Summer isn't remotely in the same league as "My Dog Skip," "Fly Away Home," "Lassie" or any of the handful of traditional family dramas that have restored luster to a genre that's been overtaken by techno-acrobats.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    50
    This family film is willing to tackle important issues such as burgeoning sexuality, alcoholism and a troubled home life but does so in a bland and unconvincing story.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. LauraP
    10
    I just bought this movie for my kids and what a TREAT. We all loved it. We cried and laughed together and had one of the most enjoyable family movie nights nina long time. I highly recommend this movie to any family who is look to truly enjoy a film with their kids. My kids range in agree from 5 to 11. Treat yourself with this special film. I wish there were more films like this out there, the pickings are very limited when it comes to good family films. Thanks to the filmmakers!!… Expand
  2. DeliaM
    9
    Very good family movie. It's much different from all the glitzy films out now, and in that sense it's incredibly refreshing. Some awkward moments w/ Lisa Guerrero, but everyone else does a fantastic job.… Expand
  3. DavidM.
    9
    I saw this at a preview screening Thursday night. It's clearly not a Hollywood blockbuster with a huge budget, but the filmmakers do a lot with the money they have. The film had done well at family-oriented film festivals, but I wasn't expecting much from a first-time director and a bunch of actors who I mostly hadn't heard of. Instead, I was quite impressed with what they accomplished. There are minor technical flaws, but normal people aren't going to notice them. If you're expecting a typical "cool" and "hip" indie flick, this isn't for you. But if you're interested in something that is (quite literally) appropriate for all age groups, you might enjoy it a lot. You might especially leave smiling about a 5-year-old who plays one of the lead characters. He's adorable enough in this that it'll surely get him work in bigger-budget films soon. Overall, I'd say this is very much worth seeing, particularly if you're interested in something family-friendly.… Expand
  4. DavidC
    8
    This is quite an appealing movie and particularly refreshing right now with the current overemphasis on computer animation. My nine year son loved it, but I practically had to bribe him to get him to go --- he had seen the TV spots for it and the Froggy Doo references gave him the impression it was for younger kids. I thought the acting was quite strong, particularly William Baldwin as the hard drinking father, and the kids are all super. Somehow the flow of the movie needed one last polishing to my mind, but all in all it succeeds with a rather ambitious mixture of themes. Despite some farcical elements, it is ultimately a serious and thought provoking film. I hope it will find wider distribution.… Expand

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