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remember him by. However, Tony, who is actually a high school football player, is burdened by the responsibility of winning the upcoming
Homecoming game for his coach, who is also his father figure, as well as his school. Sage is constantly on the move with her two mothers, Kate and Gillian, who work as drug dealers selling medicinal marijuana. Tony plants his seeds in a memorial for his late parents.
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cheerleader who becomes her friend. Unfortunately, Beth, the conniving captain of the cheerleading squad, hears of Sage's arrival after trying to seduce Tony to become her
Homecoming King. Beth taunts Sage for her Vermont heritage, but Sage tells Nancy and the other girls at school of her summer with Tony, who tells his fellow jocks of his special time with Sage.
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drug dealing and that they're trying to steer clear of the law before showing him her flower garden. As
Homecoming approaches, Sage prepares Tony for a dance, while at school, the latter and the athletes prepare for the Homecoming game. Meanwhile, Beth uses Cody's phone to track down Sage, discovering the marijuana her family is growing.
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arrive, and
Gorinsky discovers the garden but is fooled. As Sage discovers, Tony has switched the weed with sunflowers from his parents' memorial, leaving two to honor them. All the while, Tony's big brother Kevin shows Coach a video of Tony as a kid celebrating his late mother's birthday, which is why he dreamed of becoming a dancer.
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confesses to Sage that he was lying to her to get through the summer to cope with his reputation and he has to win
Homecoming, which his school hasn't done in twenty-five years. Crushed, Sage leaves the school and vents her frustrations. She fakes sick to stay home, but reluctantly goes back under her mother Kate's encouragement.
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Unfortunately, Beth, realizing that Sage and Tony know each other and jealous of Tony's relationship with her, devises a scheme that involves driving a wedge between the two lovers. Beth injures Nancy by deliberately fracturing her arm and lies to Sage that Nancy was killed in an accident so Sage can
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As the
Homecoming game begins, Sage and Tony reunite and go to Mount Abe so Tony can win for the school. Unfortunately, Beth confronts Sage in the hallway, preparing to trap her, but Nancy comes to her rescue and pummels Beth, giving Sage enough time to get to Homecoming. Just when it seems that the
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At school, on
Homecoming Day, Beth calls the police to report Sage's family's drug dealing to get her arrested, but Sage throws her cell phone into the toilet out of revenge. When she gets home, Officer Gorinsky, the town cop, goes in to investigate Sage's family's cannabis farming. Kate and Gillian
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The next day, Tony runs into Beth, who threatens to post the photos she took of the weed if he doesn't go along with her offer. Not wanting to turn Sage over to the police, Tony takes Beth's side. Later, Coach, having discovered that Tony went to
Lakeview for the summer, reprimands him for doing so.
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selected the film as a Critic's Pick and wrote, "This is the kind of movie that vibrates with the energy of the people who made it, whose enthusiasm radiates from the screen. The actors and filmmakers seemed to have had an extremely good time bringing 'Best Summer Ever' to life. Watching it made me
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The film begins with aspiring dancer Tony
Michaels practicing for a dance at Lakeview Dance Camp. As the camp season comes to an end, he and his girlfriend, Sage, bid each other farewell, but not before she gives him sunflower seeds to plant in a special place. Tony gives her his eagle necklace to
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Tony asks Sage for another chance and takes her to the tool shed in his backyard, telling her that his coach became his father figure after his parents passed away, football isn't the only thing he's passionate about, and he's afraid of being honest with his coach. Sage tells Tony of her family's
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At the pep rally, Beth humiliates Sage in front of the whole school. The jocks run in, and Sage realizes that Tony is actually the football star. Outside the gym, Beth blackmails Tony to join her for
Homecoming, threatening to put photos of him dancing on blast if he doesn't comply. Later, Tony
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Sage dreams of settling down in a new home and aspires for a normal life. After her family's trailer breaks down when they head for a new spot to sell marijuana, Sage senses a golden opportunity to get an education at Mount Abe High School. When she arrives, Sage is greeted by Nancy, a bubbly
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Mount Abe Eagles are losing, Tony arrives in time to pull off the dance he and Sage were working on before reconciling with his coach and winning the game. Afterwards, the whole high school comes together to celebrate the Homecoming win, with Sage and Tony finally achieving their dreams.
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gave the film a positive review, writing "Imagine a world where people with disabilities didn't have to talk about their disabilities. A world where they're just people...'Best Summer Ever' is a feel-good musical and a big win for disability inclusion."
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also gave the film a positive review and wrote, "...it's hard not to get swept up in the cast and crew's joyful insouciance. Plus, the cheeky showtunes, co-written by onscreen villain MuMu and executive producer Peter Halby, are a hoot."
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At school, Coach confiscates Tony's phone after catching him looking at a video of Sage. He hands it back and reminds Tony that winning Homecoming is his responsibility. That night, Tony proposes that he and Sage run off together.
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Tony argues with him over his chosen future and attempts to kick the ball, but ends up starting a fight instead. Tony runs into town to vent his frustrations, then discovers that Sage had torn up her garden, giving him an idea.
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take her place at the cheerleading pep rally. Meanwhile, Cody, the school quarterback who holds a grudge against Tony for taking his spot as the football star, swipes Tony's phone and hands it to Beth.
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festival and was named an official selection at the 2021 SXSW festival as well, winning the special jury and screenwriting awards. In March 2021, it was announced that
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Mumu, Holly Palmer, Rickey Wilson Jr., Jacob Waltuck, Eileen Grubba, Emily Kranking, Aj Murray, Bradford Haynes, Shannon Devido & The Zeno Ensemble
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Rickey Wilson Jr., Shannon Devido, Zeno Ensemble, Mumu, Jacob Waltuck, Eileen Grubba, Holly Palmer, Emily Kranking, Aj Murray & Bradford Haynes
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is the sort of movie that may be fun and frothy, but it's also needed in order for bigger studio films to consider more inclusive casting."
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Rickey Wilson Jr. as Tony Michaels, the main male protagonist and an aspiring dancer who is the star kicker of the Mount Abe Eagles
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gave the film a positive review, calling it "an irresistibly appealing musical comedy brimming with inclusivity and exuberance."
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acquired North American distribution rights to the film. It was released on DVD and digital platforms on April 27, 2021.
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727:"'Best Summer Ever' Review: An Irresistibly Appealing Musical Comedy Brimming with Inclusivity and Exuberance"
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consists of eight original songs, written by Mumu and Peter Halby. The score was composed by Jamie Lawrence.
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MuMu as Beth, the diabolical captain of the Mount Abe cheerleading squad and the main antagonist
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Shannon DeVido as Sage, the main female protagonist and the spirited daughter of drug dealers
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973:"'Best Summer Ever' Review: Song, Dance, and Disability Delight in Heart-Warming Musical"
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Jacob Waltuck as Cody, the envious school quarterback who has a bone to pick with Tony
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931:"'Best Summer Ever' is a feel-good musical and a big win for disability inclusion"
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also gave the film a positive review and wrote, "Both realistic and aspirational,
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Phil Lussier and *Eric Folan as Phil and Eric, the sports announcers for Mount Abe
829:"Maggie Gyllenhaal's 'Best Summer Ever' Musical Lands at Freestyle Digital Media"
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Mumu, Shannon Devido, The Zeno Ensemble, Rickey Wilson Jr. & Jacob Waltuck
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631:, 89% of 19 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.9/10.
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film directed by Michael Parks Randa and Lauren Smitelli. The cast features
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Bradford Haynes as Coach, Tony's surrogate father and the school coach
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graded the film a B and wrote, "By not acknowledging differences,
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Drive-In in October 2020. The film was shown online at the 2020
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Lawrence Carter-Long as Officer Gorinsky, the town police officer
855:"'Best Summer Ever' musical acquired by Freestyle Digital Media"
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as Kate and Gillian, Sage's mothers who sell medicinal cannabis
912:"'Best Summer Ever' Review: Not Just Another Song and Dance"
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takes a generic premise and makes it feel spunky and fresh.
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Shannon Devido, Rickey Wilson Jr. & The Zeno Ensemble
999:"BEST SUMMER EVER (SXSW21) – Review by Leslie Combemale"
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also named it as one of their ten favorite movies at
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Ajani A.J. Murray as Kevin, Tony's loyal big brother
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756:"'Best Summer Ever': Film Review; SXSW 2021"
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217:. Gyllenhaal and Sarsgaard, along with
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491:"Ready to Ride Dream Sequence (Score)"
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508:Rickey Wilson Jr. & Zeno Ensemble
341:Christine Bruno as Midge the Mechanic
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997:Combemale, Leslie (March 31, 2021).
801:Hufstader, Louisa (April 19, 2021).
754:Felperin, Leslie (March 24, 2021).
335:Terra Mackintosh as Principal Donna
1003:Alliance of Women Film Journalists
699:Alliance of Women Film Journalists
575:"Better Without You (Bonus Track)"
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971:Lopez, Kristen (April 27, 2021).
827:Vlessing, Etan (March 19, 2021).
950:Truitt, Brian (March 21, 2021).
929:Oliver, David (April 27, 2021).
910:Marsh, Calum (27 April 2021).
725:Leydon, Joe (April 29, 2021).
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1079:American films about cannabis
1084:American coming-of-age films
1064:2020s English-language films
853:Magee, Ny (March 19, 2021).
1109:Films about school bullying
561:"Battle Cry (Bonus Track) "
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1089:American high school films
603:The film premiered at the
421:"More Than Worth the Wait"
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1099:2020s coming-of-age films
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161: (Martha's Vineyard)
1094:2020s high school films
613:Freestyle Digital Media
519:"Final Victory (Score)"
139:Freestyle Digital Media
1074:American musical films
833:The Hollywood Reporter
760:The Hollywood Reporter
647:The Hollywood Reporter
435:"The Necklace (Score)"
407:"Beyond Glory (Score)"
338:Sophia Bratt as Daphne
1114:2020s American films
1069:2020s musical films
644:Leslie Felperin of
201:is a 2020 American
102:Michael Parks Randa
46:Michael Parks Randa
30:Michael Parks Randa
916:The New York Times
880:"Best Summer Ever"
781:"Best Summer Ever"
637:The New York Times
609:South by Southwest
379:"Best Summer Ever"
301:Eileen Grubba and
128:Zeno Mountain Farm
16:2020 American film
684:Kristen Lopez of
625:review aggregator
605:Martha's Vineyard
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547:"Closing Credits"
477:"One Last Chance"
315:Maggie Gyllenhaal
207:Maggie Gyllenhaal
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73:Maggie Gyllenhaal
58:Andrew Pilkington
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505:"Ready to Ride"
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533:"Homecoming"
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303:Holly Palmer
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170:Running time
146:Release date
100:Frank Snider
895:January 14,
114:Peter Halby
98:Sam Adelman
64:Katie White
60:Leah Romond
53:Produced by
27:Directed by
1059:2020 films
1053:Categories
709:References
655:Joe Leydon
219:Ted Danson
174:78 minutes
120:Production
40:Will Halby
37:Written by
977:IndieWire
957:USA Today
936:USA Today
687:IndieWire
675:USA Today
669:USA Today
619:Reception
95:Edited by
890:Fandango
641:happy."
627:website
187:Language
107:Music by
69:Starring
859:TheGrio
731:Variety
660:Variety
623:On the
599:Release
449:"The G"
203:musical
190:English
179:Country
157:2020-10
155: (
122:company
785:Amazon
681:2021.
371:Length
591:39:26
365:Title
1033:IMDb
1010:2021
984:2021
897:2024
866:2021
840:2021
814:2020
767:2021
738:2021
679:SXSW
581:3:49
578:Mumu
567:3:12
564:Mumu
553:2:05
539:3:20
525:1:20
511:2:56
497:1:29
483:3:21
469:2:31
455:3:44
441:1:25
427:3:48
413:1:08
399:1:39
385:3:33
278:Cast
237:Plot
213:and
112:MuMu
1042:at
1031:at
657:of
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516:11.
502:10.
361:No.
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