Summer Scars (2007)

Studio: TLA Releasing

DVD Release Date: September 30, 2008

Directed By: Julian Richards

Cast: Kevin Howarth, Ciaran Joyce, Amy Harvey, Jonathan Jones, Darren Evans

Deadly DVD Rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

Review By: Marc Patterson

Summer Scars is the latest film from the Danger After Dark line from TLA Releasing.  For anyone who hasn’t been following the progression of this newer label, you should start paying attention.  Danger After Dark has been having a steady line of success releasing some quality niche films for the horror genre.  This newest release sits on the edge of what you might characteristically expect from the line, being a bit more dramatic than it is horrifying, but nonetheless surprises with its raw edgy feel. 

This story by British filmmaker Julian Richards (The Last Horror Movie) is a fast paced coming of age story, based upon actual events.  It’s a classic “day in the life” tale that chronicles what would have otherwise been a typical afternoon for a group of disillusioned youths.  On this particular day they’ll meet an interesting character who will change their lives forever.  

The film opens as an urban hip hop soundtrack accompanies our youth as they split from school and head to a hangout in a nearby wood at the site of what was likely a house or building of sorts.  All that’s now left is some foundation brick, which provides a perfect backdrop for graffiti plastered walls strewn with beer cans littering the area.  Replete with a fire pit made from discarded bricks, milk crates for seats, and a random chair from an automobile, this is the perfect hidden away hangout spot.    

Two of the youths have decided to steal a moped and zipping through the trees on their stolen trophy they make their way to the camp.  A couple of the boys, impressed with their friend’s feat decide to take the moped out for some joyriding through the woods.  While cruising along they suddenly crash into a man who appeared from nowhere.  Panicked and not knowing what to do they take off back to their hangout.  Soon after the man, a disheveled looking character named Peter (Kevin Howarth), finds them and appears fairly unharmed and forgiving enough.  With no harm done he employs the help of the kids in the search for his lost dog, “Jesus”, and the boys, enthusiastic to help their new friend head off into the wood.  Peter oozes with creepy fascination.  You don’t know whether to be entertained by him, or just plain scared.  He moves from creepy to psycho right back into a childlike kid with ease, making his character that much more of a menace.  Back at the camp, Peter breaks up a fight between the kids and a pair of bullying skateboarders by pulling out an old pellet gun and in a swift move the film takes a turn for the worse heading towards a darker place in a very Jack Ketchum kind of way.  Ultimately the kids are confronted with their own adolescence, and face a choice that will forever change their lives. 

Summer Scars does a great job of packing a full film into a truncated span of 67 minutes.  While the short run time might initially be disappointing for those who are looking for something feature length, don’t let that dissuade you.  The pacing is right on keeping the film moving at the appropriate speed.  The story quickly sets up our youth showcasing their delinquency, yet also their vulnerability.  They’re brassy enough to steal a moped, but young enough to still get beat up on by a pair of skateboarders who happen along their area in the woods.  These duplicities are constantly brought to the forefront to emphasize the fragile nature of these kids, which we are reminded of as the female youth Leanne (Amy Harvey) yells at the Peter, “They ain’t men.  They’re kids.  We’re all kids.”   

Summer Scars is a slightly atypical film for the Danger After Dark brand, which has in the recent past released such diverse films as Meatball Machine, Hell’s Ground, and STORM, but despite this retains the independent spirit and skillful filmmaking that has made this line of films a constant treat to watch.  It’s a dark and haunting film and certainly comes recommended.