User reviews

I liked the theme of personal growth and minor sexual liberation against the backdrop of Greece, specifically, Thira (Santorini). There is some decent, although very minor, treatment of the archaeology of the Minoan civilization on Thira. The performances were good and the scenery is stunningly beautiful. A good amount of toplessness and some minor full nudity is refreshingly well treated. Point in fact, I had similar experiences when I went to the islands in 1984. Entertaining and poignant.

The basic idea is that a committed couple vacation in Greece, and end up involved in a threesome. It is not predicated as a purely sexual thing (although sex plays a role). It is the emotional connection between the three main characters that is central to the plot.

For those who don't know what polyamory means, it is basically the ability to love more than one person, and the story does a good job of conveying that concept. Some people may be disappointed that it isn't more fantastic and dwell more on the passion, but the fact that it attends to the difficulties as well as the fantasies is a point in its favor.

In this sense, the movie progresses, as each character starts with certain notions that are evaluated and disposed of, or new notions that are adopted. It is, of course, somewhat simplistic, and the characters are a bit two-dimensional (with enough variation to be interesting, but with some elements that seem injected just because).

That said, it is a fun movie to watch. The setting is pleasant, and young, fit people are enjoyable to watch, especially when they go skinny-dipping in the Aegean Sea. It isn't something I necessarily want to watch again and again, and the general concept of an emotional threesome may be anathema to some people, but if you are interested in the general concept of polyamory, this might be a good way to get a feel for it.

Roger Ebert likes to say (paraphrased) that it's not what a movie's about, but rather how it goes about it. Often so, especially in retread after retread that go by every year, but with Summer Lovers it's the reverse, because there's really very little to compare it to. This is a film that struggles with limited (but attractive) talent, flamboyantly uneven direction and bad editing. What's worse, a film has to often use dialog in place of looks and feelings that take place and have meaning in a relationship, but that are lost to the observer, and the dialog here often fails.

But at the same time, Summer Lovers doesn't blink when looking into freedom of the body, and freedom in relationships. Some look at this as fantasy, but indeed there are a lot of people who have made the one-way trip down that rabbit hole and can understand what this film's really about.

I give it an E for Effort. I like it better for having failed in its ambition than having succeeded in a lesser attempt. It's definitely not for the uptight, but if you're sitting around some day in an expansive frame of mind, wondering if you're getting everything out of your life that you ought to, then maybe rent this one and have an enjoyable afternoon thinking about the possibilities.

How can you NOT love a movie that actually has a clip from a 3 Stooges short?

But seriously, this movie has a way of getting under the skin of many who view it. Like "Bagdad Cafe", and "Summer of '42" this movie has a certain 'magic' to it that stays with you for a very long time afterward. It's not due to any one element, but rather, the synergy created between the beautiful cinematography of the lush Greek scenery, the chemistry between the drop-dead gorgeous cast (all at their absolute peak of sexual/physical ripeness), a dynamic, inspiring soundtrack, and a subtle, well-crafted plot (if you can actually call it that...it is more of a skeletal framework...a backdrop against which to explore the issues at hand) It is a more mature examination, a graduate course, if you will, of the sexual revolution. It is a victory celebration of polyamorous relationships. It's the other side of the coin of 'Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice'. It is "The Harrod Experiment" coming-of-age. (To those of you who were 15 when you saw "Summer Lovers", I doubt you've heard of The Harrod Experiment. The casualness with which nudity is handled in this flick only contributes to the overall beauty of it. (I doubt the movie would have had nearly the same effect if the principals were Roseanne & Oprah, with Pauley Shore playing the male lead...) Funny thing, when it came out, prurient minds dismissed it as the quintessential sleazy male fantasy. There was just one problem with this knee-jerk review...Females liked it as much (if not more) than male viewers!!! This movie has confounded the critics since its debut...and still does so as it continues to win fans 22 years after its release. It is one of the few truly realistic depictions of an 'alternate lifestyle', handled with exquisitely good taste with just the right amount of restraint. Even the editing is exemplary. Truly a classic bit of film-making.

Warning: View it at your own risk. As I stated, the 'message' of this movie is insidious, and can cause one to re-examine some long-held social conventions. Subsequent viewings only enhance this effect. 5 years before "Dirty Dancing", there was Summer Lovers.

The sole tragic note to this movie is that Valerie Quennessen died only 7 years after its release.

In the early '80s I got my first car and being that the VCR was not around to slake my drive to see bad movies right away, I saw a lot of them in the local multiplex west of Pittsburgh. "Endless Love", "The Legend of the Lone Ranger", "Maria's Lovers", "Up in Smoke". This may be the only one of the bunch I don't regret plunking down my $2.50 to see.

Why? Not just because of the nudity; although the fact one gets to look at much better than Brooke Shield's body double or the highly overrated Bo Derek helps considerably.

Perhaps because it promises a great guy fantasy, and it delivers in spades. Sun, sand, cheap lodgings, drink, rock, and lots of bare bodies. True, nowadays the script would have ah, congress between Hannah and Quennessen. Still, not bad at all for the Reagan era. You'd have to be soul-dead not to want to book a trip to a Greek island after watching this one.

I think most people will enjoy "Summer Lovers" as one of those lowest-common-denominator fossils of the early-'80s. A young couple vacations in Greece, ostensibly to save their rocky relationship, falling rather innocently into a sexual menage with a beautiful archaeologist. Though made by competent professionals, the movie comes off as the most basic type of low-brow movie-making imaginable, filled with flashes of peek-a-boo nudity. Some of it is truly embarrassing, although the cast is squirrelly and fun, particularly Daryl Hannah (pre-"Splash") as one of those uptight American beauties who learns to loosen up with another woman in her bed. It's a clichéd role in a clichéd movie, but Hannah has a dryly sassy way with her dialogue and nearly creates a real character. "Summer Lovers" almost manages to mask its titillation aims with an innocent, nonchalant air that is rather attractive...but you'll hate yourself in the morning for sitting all the way through it. ** from ****

I really loved this movie. I watched it by accident one night, I usually only watch horror movies.I felt really good after watching this movie. The characters really get to you and you almost feel the emotions they are having.

I thought Darrell Hannah was beautiful as always and the location was beautiful as well.The type of story was offbeat and not the usual boring love story.I also liked the odd sorts of people that show up during the film.It is a great movie to watch on a rainy day or late at night.I would never have thought to watch the movie by the title so do not let the name fool you.

It is a movie I can watch over and over.

I was in my senior year of college when I saw this picture and had bought round trip tickets to France before I had seen this. It was my intention to go to France, Italy, Germany, the Greek Isles as my "Europe" adventure before entering the "great big world" of responsibility. After seeing this picture, I cancelled my trip and wondered how movies got greenlighted. Yes, I saw this as a total "guy" light porn fantasy film...lovely locals...two women...two willing women...better yet: one blonde one brunette...one foreign...one familiar...lots of abandon...lots of freedom...to me it equaled: lots of boredom. Now, many guys who have seen this film and are reading my little view will think.."ah, she's just saying this cause she's jealous". No, I'm reviewing this movie as the crap that it is. If it were done as a foreign film, it may have been more interesting and involving for men and women alike. Instead it looked like a film that some hollywood guy who had lotsa ties put together in hopes we would all accept what would go on in his mind as reality and sexual responsibility would play a huge role in how one chooses casual partners. Little did the folks who did this know that HIV and AIDS were bubbling and fantasy is just that...fantasy. But I have to admit the best parts of this film to me was seeing Hans van Tongeren in a short part because I loved him in "Spetters"...so I thought his career and notice was on the rise here in America (later I found out he died, what a tragedy!!!) and the song "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" by Chicago which turned out to be a big hit of that time since their career was ALMOST forgotten until this. Other than that, unless your a guy in his house -- alone -- with no date -- on a Saturday Night and nothing else better to do, Summer Lovers wont appeal very much to you.

Sometimes, one wants their movies to be an escape tool. That's what this movie was when it was made and what it has always been. Two young people vacation on a Greek Island and meet a French woman who has led a rather eclectic life. Educated, knowledgeable about life and just plain sexy she is. A love triangle ensues without all the recriminations that would result in the real world. The only "pain and suffering" is the normal feelings of sharing a lover with another.

The funniest part is the surprise visit from the American girl's mother and best friend. For all its risqué subject matter, the movie stays on the surface of all that and plays this for fun and laughter. It's just good old-fashioned escapism along the lines of "California Dreaming," "Hollywood Knights," and other movies of that genre. It serves to introduce us to Darryl Hannah and Valerie Quennessen, who was lost in an automobile accident in the eighties.

If you're looking for a movie that will give you a few laughs, a little titillation and some harmless sexuality, this is a good choice. Who knows, it may spark some interesting conversations between you and your significant other!

Delighful casual partial nudity and seascape scenery. Daryl Hannah looks better (and nuder) than in "Splash". Light plot and adequate performances showing young people enjoying life. "Summer Lovers" is a pleasant way to spend a light hour & a half.

Santorini, a beautiful island paradise with donkey rides to the top and a fun vacation. I made two visits, but never got to spend a summer there. That is reserved for those who are much more well off.

So, here we have well off Peter Gallagher (Short Cuts, American Beauty) and his girlfriend Daryl Hannah (Splash, Kill Bill Vol. 2) spending the Summer on Santorini. Is there anything in the world you could imagine that would top that? Why would you even want to? Well, it seems that Michael (Gallagher) isn't satisfied with a hot girl on a beautiful island and wants to add Lina (Valérie Quennessen) to his life. Naturally, Cathy (Hannah) objects, but eventually agrees after becoming friends with Lina. Right I can just imagine the crazy mind that dreamed this up. Every girl would share her man. And, no, there is no hot lesbian sex going on to seal the deal. It's share with no benefits.

They move in together and become a loving family. They even get depressed and cut their vacation short by two weeks when Lina disappears. Are these two mental? Yes, we see Darryl in her skin debut as she sunbathes nude, and she has a fantastic wet-t-shirt scene, and there are babes galore on the beach topless and fully nude, and on and on, but face it, if you suggested this to your girl and she looked like Daryl Hannah, she would probably tell you to take a hike.

I must have seen this movie 20 times since 1991 when I first saw it. Nothing else to be said, but perfect!!! Perfect and yet, very simple! Music is fantastic,the cast is perfect. Locations are only to wish for. Dialogs- humorous. I could go on and on about it. I never actually analyzed the plot (my wife dislikes the movie mostly for its threesome theme) but one should never analyze something as perfect looking as this. It is a real poetry of film-making! And don't get me wrong, because I've seen Sofia's choice, Traffic, Blade Runner and all bunch of stuff with all kind of themes and complexities! This is the movie you WATCH and Enjoy! All the time! Every time! I strongly recommend it especially Greece and beach lovers.

Randal Kleiser brings some of that same kinetic energy he brought to his film version of Grease at times in Summer Lovers, but you have to get past a pretty slow opening act. It's basically the story of an attractive couple who vacation in Greece and the guy becomes obsessed with a woman who lives across the way from them. For a second, you'd be forgiven for thinking this would turn into some Hitchcockian thriller, but the film goes its own way and the mysterious woman and man end up having sex. The rest of the film is him trying to convince his girlfriend that he's not a bad guy and that they could have an open relationship. This mysterious woman soon moves in with them and they all become the best of friends.

No, this never leads to any hot lesbian action, bros, but there's plenty of naked flesh (male and female) on display throughout. The film has a great soundtrack, though (I shudder to think how much the music rights cost them) and the story is charming enough even if one can't help but think we're supposed to admire Peter Gallagher's character who cheats on his girlfriend the first time she leaves him to fend for himself. Get some self-control, buddy.

Summer Lovers is slight, but frequently entertaining if you're in the right mood and go in without expectations. It's not really moving or funny or sexy enough to stand out much from other 80's movies, but I've had worse times.

(1982) Summer Lovers DRAMA

Written and directed by Randal Kleiser with young couple of Michael (Peter Gallagher) and Cathy (Darryl Hannah) just arriving to the Greek Islands beaches and so forth the trip itself was supposed to be her graduation present. Cathy is an inspired photographer and while she was doing that, Michael becomes infatuated with another young lady Lina (Valérie Quennessen) nearby, while he was skinny dipping off of another isolated resort. Once Cathy becomes aware of this affair she becomes accustomed to Lina as well. I do not mind the conflicting drama between the three leads where one character assumes the chemistry is supposed to be one way and then it turns to be something else, but it is the ending to me is a put off.

Okay, okay. It's a thin plot with a lot of Chamber of Commerce scenery. But it took me back to Greece as I had seen it. Santorini is unmatched anywhere. (Mykonos is also very beuatiful.) The beaches have more than their share of full-tan bathers. It's real. It's their culture. So what? It's not a reason to dish the movie. The movie brings in top musical productions of the era and three budding stars. In the "Isn't it Interesting Category" it's notable that Daryl Hannah (Cathy) states that her fantasy "is to be a mermaid." Voila! The mermaid she became vaulted her career forward. The biggest disappontment that I got from the movie is finding out that the beautiful Valerie Quennessen died in an auto accident in 1989. She played the European free-spirit role well. She had stunning eyes - mindful of Princess Di. God bless her!

American couple Michael Pappas (Peter Gallagher) and Cathy Featherstone (Daryl Hannah) rent a Greek villa for their summer holidays. They are struck by the sexually liberated culture. He's intrigued by archaeologist Lina (Valérie Quennessen) while Cathy does her amateur photography. He tells her about Lina. They test out having outside relationships. Cathy gets frustrated and confronts Lina. Lina turns out to be friendly and they become three best friends and eventual summer lovers. The threesome is interrupted by the arrival of Cathy's mother.

This is cheesy 80s fare. It's a little fun and has plenty of nudity. The characters are likable. Nobody is too annoying with too much personal drama. This is basically a guilty pleasure. I have no problem with people complaining about a general emptiness. The acting is basically good enough. The story is better than softcore porn. This is not the highest of dramas.

Stupid film. An American couple (Peter Gallagher and Daryl Hannah) take a vacation to the beautiful Greek islands. There they meet a French girl named Lina (Valerie Quennessen) who falls for Gallagher. Rather than fight with him over Hannah she suggests they share him (!!!). Just like real life huh?

This is just a Playboy fantasy for straight men. For instance--there are countless nude shots of Hannah and Quennessen but none of Gallagher (only once from a great distance). And what straight guy wouldn't fantasize about having two beautiful women as lovers on a Greek island? As a gay guy I couldn't really identify with that and the movie comes off as absolute drivel. Yes, the scenery is stunning and all three of them have attractive bodies--but the plot is silly beyond words. There's no talk about STDs, AIDS (it WAS around in 1982) or anything realistic. We just get a seemingly endless travelogue of Greece. It gets boring pretty quickly.

The acting--well who really cares? No one is gonna watch this for the acting (they're all pretty bad BTW). The only interesting thing about this is that director/writer Randal Kleiser thought he was making a serious movie! He said he cut out a sex scene between the three leads because it wasn't necessary for the plot. Ummmmmm-what plot? Boring and stupid. It gets a 5 for the absolutely gorgeous scenery and a really nice soundtrack.

I can't remember where I was when I saw summer lovers but I remember how bored I was. This was mighty different then what I heard it was, instead of a sweet love story it was kind of just-well just about nothing much. I remember how flat the story was and what poor pacing it had. Probebly the most disapointing of 80's movies of this genre-for me anyway. Now I have looked at all the positve reviews and am frankly a bit surprised but I'd be willing to give it another chance, it's possible I just didn't appreciate it back then.

For me, the pace of a movie is as important as almost anything. I just remember this as sort of blah. Nice scenery aside-frankly it just bored me. Nothing here that was memorable in the slightest. I won't call this a bad movie as much as completely forgettable and not what it appeared to be. If I ever see it again I'll do another more in depth review. I had really looked forward to seeing this back in the 80's and didn't get much back in the way of entertainment.

This sex comedy/travelogue focuses on the beauty of Greece with its aerial photography of the island of Santorini (a.k.a. Thera). It is a picture-postcard fantasy of Greece. The production values are high and the scenes are colorful and crisp. A lot of its comedy comes from the fact that it's so embarrassing to watch, in a good way. There are a lot of cheesy moments that I wouldn't want to miss. It's 70's/early 80's alternative lifestyle style, which includes a group disco romp where everyone holds hands at the same time! Then there is that scene with the nude body builders... The film is well worth seeing if you've ever dreamed of going to Greece.

Okay - all the reviews on this movie on this site are pretty positive - I think it's rating around 4/10 is justified. (In fact, 4/10 is being kind.)

The plot of the film is so preposterous the only reason I kept watching until the end is to see if it would somehow salvage itself with some wicked twist. Alas, the ending of the film was somehow even worse than what I was anticipating halfway through.

The story and characters are a tacky framework for a movie which really only has 2 things going for it: beautiful scenery of Greece and nudity.

Un428ly, this movie doesn't make it into the "so bad it's funny" category either. Avoid.

No pun intended - and there is so much love that can be found in Greece. Ok so I may be a bit biased - being Greek myself that is. Of course I was born and raised in Germany, so maybe I can point to that and still get away with it? Well you decide ... but the movie is about love in summer ... yes I know the title gives it away ... a little bit.

That all being said, the actors in the main roles ... I had no idea D. Hannah did this ... with nudity and all that. I think she is a good actress - and this does not change my opinion of her. Hopefully you are able to detect that too - whether you knew her from before or having a first time seeing her.

The movie is a drama and the relationship between our three main characters ... well some things are not being said ... and there are some hot scenes ... sometimes in the love department ... sometimes in the jealousy department ... there is quite a lot to unpack ... even when they are not wearing any clothes that is. An interesting and satisfying ending too ...

Came across this picture on Encore Love while channel surfing to Encore Westerns. I watched it out of curiosity to see if the stories I had heard about it are true.

They are. The only good thing about this film is the cinematography of the Greek Isles. Otherwise, it's just a movie version of a pictorial from a men's magazine, although the script (such as it is) has a few touches of Cosmopolitan.

You'll love this film if you're into soft core porn, Darryl Hannah, or European brunettes. Otherwise, you'll find it boring or offensive. Note: at last report, 47% of female American college students were infected with human papilloma virus (HPV or genital warts) spread by the promiscuity that this picture celebrates.