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The Summer Book (film)

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The Summer Book
Directed byCharlie McDowell
Written byRobert Jones
Based onThe Summer Book
by Tove Jansson
Produced by
Starring
CinematographySturla Brandth Grøvlen
Edited byJussi Rautaniemi
Music byHania Rani
Production
companies
  • Free Range Films
  • Stille Productions
  • High Frequency Entertainment
  • Helsinki Filmi
Distributed bySF Studios (Finland)
Release dates
  • 12 October 2024 (2024-10-12) (BFI)
  • 31 January 2025 (2025-01-31) (Finland)
Running time
90 minutes
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Finland
LanguageEnglish

The Summer Book is a 2024 drama film directed by Charlie McDowell, written by Robert Jones, and starring Glenn Close, Emily Matthews, and Anders Danielsen Lie. It is based on Tove Jansson's 1972 novel of the same title. A co-production of the United Kingdom, the United States, and Finland, the film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 12 October 2024.

Cast

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  • Glenn Close as Grandmother
  • Emily Matthews as Sophia
  • Anders Danielsen Lie as Father
  • Ingvar Sigurdsson as Eriksson
  • Pekka Strang as Mr. Malander
  • Sophia Heikkilä as Mrs. Malander

Production

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In March 2023, it was announced that Close and Lie were cast in the film.[1] The film was shot in the summer of 2023 in Finland, for example in the archipelagos of Kotka, Porvoo and Espoo located in the Gulf of Finland.[2]

In July that same year, it was announced that the filmmakers were granted an interim agreement by SAG-AFTRA to allow production to occur since the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike was occurring at the time.[3][4]

Release

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The Summer Book premiered at the BFI London Film Festival on 12 October 2024.[5][6] The North American theatrical debut was at the AFI Fest on 27 October 2024 in Hollywood, California.

Glenn Close and Charlie McDowell at the North American release of The Summer Book on 27 October 2024.

Its distribution rights in the Nordic countries are held by SF Studios, which is set to release it in Finland on 31 January 2025.[7]

The Summer Book is currently one of 15 films shortlisted out of 1,794 feature film submissions for the Tiantan Award as part of official selection of the Beijing International Film Festival.[1]

The Summer Book premiered in cinemas in Jansson's native Finland on January 31, 2025, and was the number one film at the Finnish box office during its opening weekend. By March, film tickets in the country had surpassed 100,000.[8]

Reception

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The Summer Book has received generally positive reviews, with currently a 73% rating from 15 critics the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.[9] Critics have called the film "light in story but heavy in mood" and an "evocative drama that finds life in death and death in life"[10], while also describing it as "infinitely gentle"[11] and "an appealing throwback to old-fashioned family dramas of a more innocent era."[12]

Glenn Close's performance has received particular acclaim. IndieWire described Close as "the film's secret weapon"[13] while The Hollywood Reporter praised her "finely etched characterization"[14] and Variety noted that, "attentive to characterful details of accent and posture, Close plays this tender-tough old bird beautifully."[15]

References

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  1. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2 March 2023). "Glenn Close To Star In Charlie McDowell's Feature Take Of Finnish Novel 'The Summer Book'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  2. ^ Lehmusvesi, Jussi (24 September 2024). "Suomalainen saaristo on pääosassa amerikkalaistähden uudessa elokuvassa – Tältä Tove Janssonin Kesäkirja näyttää Glenn Closen esittämänä" [The Finnish archipelago plays the main role in the American star's new film: this is how Tove Jansson's 'The Summer Book' looks like with Glenn Close]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  3. ^ Kay, Jeremy (20 July 2023). "Glenn Close Finland-set drama 'The Summer Tale', 'Tehran' among latest indie projects to get SAG-AFTRA go-ahead". Screen Daily. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  4. ^ Kroll, Justin (24 July 2023). "Glenn Close Indie 'The Summer Book' Among Latest Films Given SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreements". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  5. ^ Ntim, Zac (5 September 2024). "London Film Festival: 'The Summer Book' & Joshua Oppenheimer's 'The End' Among Titles Added To Lineup". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  6. ^ "The Summer Book". BFI London Film Festival 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  7. ^ Leffler, Rebecca (24 September 2024). "Charades boards 'The Summer Book' starring Glenn Close ahead of BFI London Film Festival premiere (exclusive)". Screen Daily. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  8. ^ Kira (6 September 2024). "A look at Summer Book film - official trailer released". Moomin. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  9. ^ "The Summer Book - Movie Reviews | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  10. ^ "AwardsWatch - 'The Summer Book' Review: Charlie McDowell's Delicate Finnish Tale Gives Way to a Compelling Performance from Glenn Close | London Film Festival". AwardsWatch. 12 October 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  11. ^ Bunbury, Stephanie (19 October 2024). "'The Summer Book' Review: Glenn Close Stars In Gentle Story Of Bereavement, Parenting & The Healing Power Of Nature – London Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  12. ^ Rooney, David (12 October 2024). "'The Summer Book' Review: Glenn Close Gets Back to Nature in Charlie McDowell's Delicate Reflection on the Cycles of Life and Death". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  13. ^ Mehta, Ritesh (27 October 2024). "'The Summer Book' Review: Glenn Close Shines in a Gentle, Mossy Take on a Finnish Literary Classic". IndieWire. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  14. ^ Rooney, David (12 October 2024). "'The Summer Book' Review: Glenn Close Gets Back to Nature in Charlie McDowell's Delicate Reflection on the Cycles of Life and Death". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  15. ^ Lodge, Guy (17 October 2024). "'The Summer Book' Review: Glenn Close Takes a Healing, Very Hygge Holiday". Variety. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
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