Curzon Home Cinema, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Sky Cinema and BFI are offering a rich selection of films this summer, spanning comedy, drama and cinematic masterpieces. Among the standout titles is a fresh adaptation of Jane Austen's 'Emma', starring Anya Taylor-Joy as the misguided heroine. Directed by rock photographer turned filmmaker Autumn de Wilde, the film remains faithful to Austen's original while adding subtle tweaks. Taylor-Joy's Emma Woodhouse meddles in her friends' romantic lives, but is blind to her own heart. Johnny Flynn plays Mr Knightley, and their chemistry is electric, with the period rom-com ticking all the boxes with sumptuous costumes and settings.
Woody Allen returns with a romantic comedy starring Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning as college sweethearts whose planned weekend in New York turns into a series of amorous adventures. The film is full of wisecracking banter, though Chalamet's character sounds more like Allen than a millennial. Fanning's portrayal of a clueless nitwit is hilarious, and the movie offers huge fun despite its fogeyish spirit.
Simon Bird, best known for 'The Inbetweeners', makes his directing debut with a bittersweet comedy-drama based on Joff Winterhart's graphic novel. The film follows a divorced mother, Sue Bagnold (Monica Dolan), and her heavy-metal-loving son Daniel (Earl Cave) as they are forced to spend the summer together. Daniel's plans to visit his father in Florida fall through, leading to a series of gently toe-curling moments. The film blends humour with tender insight, set to a soundtrack by Scottish indie group Belle and Sebastian.
For music enthusiasts, a documentary about LA's Laurel Canyon scene in the mid-1960s offers a nostalgic trip, highlighting the era's radiant jangle of the Rickenbacker guitar. These films, available on various streaming platforms, provide ample inspiration for a summer watchlist.
