The picture deals with a attractive spinster secretary (Katherine Hepburn) from Ohio who goes to holiday and has ultimately made it to Venice , for her long-awaited dream . Never-married , likable middle-aged Jane is a self-described "independent type" who's content , or so she claims , to go it mostly solitary , wielding her movie camera throughout the city when she meets a antiques merchant (Rossano Brazzi) . Jane soon discovers that even in a town as marvelous and riveting as Venice , going it alone can still leave one feeling unfortunately alone . She's trapped in an idyllic romance until that's realised of the reality . She also befriends a helpful beggar boy who pursues her everywhere .

The film plot is plain and simple but abounds the surprises . The various highlights movie include : the spectacular downfall of Hepburn into the Venice canal or when the lovers watch how the flower dropped to water is going away and of course the sensitive and exciting final in the train and station . Impressive and breathtaking cinematography by Jack Hyldyard ; David Lean , in fact , had only used four photographers throughout his career . The other cameramen have been Guy Green , Ronald Neame and Freddie Young , everybody notorious color specialists . Katherine Hepburn's interpretation is top notch , she's sympathetic , romantic , attractive , memorable but also sad and vulnerable . Rossano Brazzi as a Latin lover is awesome . The support cast although relatively known -Darren McGavin, Isa Miranda , Marie Aldon- is very secondary , the film is principally interpreted by the excellent pair : Hepburn and Brazzi . Production set by Vincent Korda is spectacular , Korda is considered the greatest British designer . The motion picture is well directed by David Lean , author of many cinema classics . The picture will appeal to romantic movies fans . Rating : Above average . Well worth seeing .

"Summertime" is one of the best films of the 1950s when it comes to its cinematography. The film is simply gorgeous and it creates an amazingly romanticized view of Venice. The colors, camera-work and setting all work together to create a real work of art. So, in this sense, it is a great film. It also creates a very romantic world with its actors (Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi) and the lovely music. Again, all what you'd like for a great film. However, the film suffers when it comes to the story--and I seem to be in the distinct minority on this one after I read through the reviews.

Hepburn is well-cast as a spinster American who has come to Venice. She has romantic visions in her mind but she also turns out to be very, very lonely. After all, what joy is there in this city if you have no one with which to share it? However, she meets a very handsome man (Brazzi--who is perhaps too handsome for the part to be believable) and he eventually sweeps her off her feet and they have a very brief encounter (some pun intended). The problem is that he's already married--and this is the huge problem I have with the film. In "Summertime" you are expected to care about the characters and empathize with them. But, in real life, if you were the wife or knew the folks, would you be so quick to see this affair as something good? Sure, Brazzi SAYS he and his wife live apart, but I assume most cheaters use this or some similar excuse to justify their behaviors. The bottom line is that the film looks great, is magnificently directed by David Lean and is about a couple selfish jerks! I just cannot get past that. I also cannot get past Criterion's decision to have no captions on the DVD--that I cannot understand (especially since my daughter is deaf and I am a bit hard of hearing).

David Lean was, and still is, a wonderful director, one of my personal favourites. Summertime may not be one of his very best but it is still a very good film.

All of the films seen so far from him (Lawrence of Arabia, Bridge on the River Kwai, Great Expectations, Brief Encounter, Oliver Twist, Hobson's Choice, In Which We Serve, Summertime, Doctor Zhivago, Ryan's Daughter, A Passage to India and Blithe Spirit),in order of preference) have ranged from very good to outstanding, and Summertime is around the middle of those films.

There is very little to dislike here, the story is a bit thin and a little slow in places and the secondary cast, while good still, don't have a lot to do and do feel very secondary. The ending is also a touch abrupt. However, there are two main reasons to see Summertime. One is Katharine Hepburn, initially it does seem like unlikely casting but seeing the film it turned out to be inspired casting, in a sensitively vulnerable, poignant and very charming portrayal it is to me among her better performances from the middle of her very long career. The other reason is the scenery of Venice itself, it is simply gorgeous, aided by Jack Hildyard's fabulously sumptuous cinematography and quite rightly treated like a character itself.

On top of being so visually pleasing, it is very sensitively directed by Lean and the music is remarkably evocative and pleasing on the ear. Summertime is also a very well-written film, with some sparkling, witty moments and a lot of nuanced poignancy, and while the story could have easily been nothing special it has so much sweetness, charm and nuance that elevate it to a greater level. The ending, while a little abrupt, is also exciting and poignant with a Brief Encounter influence, while the touch with the flower is remarkably tender and the romantic chemistry between Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi is very sweet.

Brazzi has been known to be wooden, but he is far from it here, instead he brings suavity and charm to a smarmy character. The characters may not be the most sympathetic or well-developed in the world, but they're so well played it doesn't hinder the film at all. There have been films where the lack of likable characters has been a problem, but these characters were never supposed to be, at least they don't do anything stupid, are over-acted or underplayed to the point of their acting being non-existent or have irritating personalities or voices, so in this case this criticism is not a fair one.

In conclusion, while not one of Lean's best Summertime is still a very good film, that has Hepburn's performance and the beauty of Venice as its prime attractions. 8/10 Bethany Cox