Staten Island Summer

🎥 Synopsis

Set on Staten Island, the film portrays two high school graduates, best friends Danny and Frank, who work as lifeguards at a local pool and are preparing for college. It’s “Danny”s last summer before he heads off to Harvard Law School, and “Frank” is preparing for a summer full of parties.

Their lives seem full of sunlight, daydreaming, and even a bit of casual romance. With the ambitious undertakings of “Frank” planning to throw the finest end-of-summer party Staten Island has ever seen and “Danny” secretly crushing on the older lifeguard “Krystal”, things are sure to become hectic.Thrilling challenges such as turf warfare with rival lifeguards, illegal keg deliveries, and parental oversight force the guys into chaotic coming-of-age scenarios.

The summer Danny and Frank spent on Staten Island wasn’t just a summer they had wished for, it turns out to be their only chance at living freely, before everything changes.

🌟 Lead Performers

Graham Phillips in the role of Danny – Phillips shines as a lovable high school nervous wreck “Danny” trying to navigate the world at full speed into adulthood.

Zack Pearlman in the role of Frank – Pearlman’s over-the-top comedic antics ─ which send up visions of a younger Jonah Hill├ will dominate the action of the film, providing enough for a caring idiot Frank derives.

Ashley Greene as Krystal – She plays Danny’s love interest, and warms her way into everyone’s affections with shocking tenderness that adds depth to the “hot girl” stereotype.

Supporting Cast – The film is filled to the brim with insane supporting characters, as it features a slew of SNL alums like Bobby Moynihan, Fred Armisen, Cecily Strong, and Will Forte.

🖋️ Themes and Tone

Staten Island Summer focuses on:

Coming of age – The very last moments of childhood before life gets serious.

Friendship through transition – The Danny and Frank friendship as they approach diverging paths in the future.

Sexual awakening and awkward crushes – Experienced through the lens of a teenage comedy, albeit one with more affection than sleaze.

Escaping small-town inertia – The need and the fear to leave home.

The text is light, naughty, and nostalgic in the manner of the teenage bravado and the vulnerability we associate with adolescence.

🎞️ Style and Cinematography

Staten Island Summer’s director Rhys Thomas, a Saturday Night Live veteran, approaches the pacing and picture from a sketch-comedy angle. The movie has a laid-back, sun-drenched look, centered around Staten Island’s working-class areas, suburban swimming pools, and yard parties which serve as raw, honest settings.

The bright, unfussy cinematography reflects the comedic tone of the film and is complemented by party anthems and indie rock that capture the youthful chaos of summer.

🔥 Reception

Although Staten Island Summer had a quiet release on Netflix, it quickly developed a cult following among fans of SNL humor and teen comedies. It was also praised for its regional charm when compared to Superbad and American Pie.

“Heralded for Its” Endearing characters who serve as lovable underdogs. Buddy-comedy core.
Supporting cast bursting with comedic talent.
Authentic island flavor and local setting.

“Criticized For” Overly formulaic for the genre.
Weak humor that leans too heavily on crassness or cliché.

Regardless, it met the mark on its goal—an endearing, and goofy, yet chaotic celebration of adolescence—done right.

📝 Conclusion
Staten Island Summer isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and you can tell by the local charm sprinkled throughout. With an incredible pool party to wrap things up it gets its point across; it’s about those carefree summer months between childhood and adulthood that feel like anything is possible, even if everything begins to go downhill by fall.