Review #1 | "Summer In February" (2013)

Starring Emily Browning, Dominic Cooper, and the charming Dan Stevens, "Summer In February" tells the true story of AJ Manning, Gilbert Evans, and Florence Carter Wood. Set in 1913 in an artist's colony in Cornwall, England, Florence joins her brother in the pursuit of becoming an artist. There she meets AJ Manning and Gilbert Evans, with whom she forms an immediate friendship. Blinded, perhaps, by her ambition of art, she decides to "give [her] heart away so lightly" to Mr. Manning.

The second half of the film flows in stark contrast to the first half. Although the film is a romantic drama, the pacing and circumstances of the second half almost feel like a mystery puzzle, waiting to see what will actually happen. The first half could have been written to serve as beginning stasis and background information instead of complications and crises. However, the denouement is ambiguous enough for the audience to imagine alternative endings and what-could-have-beens, much like the characters.

Cooper, Browning, and Stevens are an ensemble and bring a breath of fresh air to every character relationship. Browning truly gave the performance that this character needed. I was never bored with her performance and always entranced. Dominic Cooper harbors immense talent and subtlety, however he may be falling into "DiCaprio-ism," where the actor is seen as opposed to the character. However, that man can read poetry better than anyone.

The main appeal of the film is Dan Stevens. In one of his first, if not the first, project of his release after "Downtown Abbey," this is a very typecast choice, but it is good to see he is diversifying and branching out. His next release is "Beauty and the Beast" opposite Emma Watson.

Overall, a very moving piece. For anyone who is a fan of the inner struggle, here you go.

_____________________________

"Summer In February" is not rated.