SUMMER STORM — ** — Robert Stadlober, Kostja Ullmann, Miriam Morgenstern; in German, with English subtitles; rated R (sex, vulgarity, nudity, profanity, brief drugs).
There are at least a couple of disparate movies fighting for control in "Summer Storm."
Parts of this German import resemble a goofy sitcom with strong gay themes. But its coming-of-age elements are considerably more melodramatic, as are the sports drama portions.
But co-screenwriter/director Marco Kreuzpaintner is unable to combine them into anything coherent, and the film's sexual frankness (especially concerning homosexuality) ensures that it probably won't appeal much to those outside the obvious target audience.
"Summer Storm" follows a pair of best friends, promising rowing athletes Tobi (Robert Stadlober) and Achim (Kostja Ullmann). The two are attending camp for the local rowing clubs, though Achim has taken the opportunity to romance a female athlete, Sandra (Miriam Morgenstern).
That provokes surprising jealousy in Tobi, who seems oblivious to the effect he's having on Sandra's best friend, Anke (Alicja Bachleda-Curus). Tobi's even more disturbed when one of the teams in the camp competition turns out to be made up of young gay athletes.
The outcome of all this is predictable, and Kreuzpaintner wraps it up in the most convenient fashion possible. Still, it's a slick production, and Kreuzpaintner has some talent for music-video style and editing. (Furthering the music-video comparisons, the film's American release features soundtrack contributions from indie rock acts such as Nada Surf.)
The young cast offers solid performances, though the plotting forces Ullmann's likable Achim to pretty much disappear in the second half.
"Summer Storm" is rated R for scenes of simulated sex and other sexual contact (both gay and straight), crude sexual talk, including vulgar slang terms and strong sexual profanity, male and female nudity, and some brief drug content (including marijuana references). Running time: 94 minutes.
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