‘Summer Of 69’ Review – A Hilarious And Sentimental Subversion Of Sex Comedies

Sex comedies, for lack of a better phrase, can usually go one of two ways. One: outright raunchy and void of any substance. Two: it cranks up the raunch-o-meter, but manages to deliver all the feels, so to speak. Summer of 69 is unique because it is certainly not the former, and not quite entirely the latter. It exists in perfect limbo, almost as a gateway entry to other films in the subgenre. There are cliches and crowd-cooing moments, but more than anything, this is a buddy comedy. Perfect chemistry between its two leads and many laughs make this an enjoyable experience.

Abby (Sam Morelos) is an awkward, soon-to-be graduating high school senior. She has pined away for her friend Max (Matt Cornett) for years, but is too shy and inexperienced to tell him. After getting an idea to seduce him, Abby turns to an exotic dancer, Santa Monica (Chloe Fineman), for help. What begins as a tutorial on how to seduce a guy turns into a story of self-discovery and, ultimately, friendship. 

Brittany Runs A Marathon and 22 Jump Street star Jillian Bell pens the script. It is her directorial debut in a story less interested in making Summer of 69 a wannabe Superbad, but more inspired by Risky Business. This film borrows lovingly from the Tom Cruise classic and finds a way to tie it into the central narrative. This is not a raunchfest but a more sentimental story about friendship, which was surprising but ultimately rewarding. 

At the core, she pairs Abby, the awkward high schooler, with Santa Monica, the experienced stripper, in a story that does not seek to offer a stirring commentary or ruffle feathers. Instead, a lovely sisterhood between the two allows this film to rise beyond its simplistic aims. Fineman works well with Morelos, and their dynamic makes this film endearing. There is a feeling of a big sister trying to help out the naive younger sis by showing her the ropes. The camaraderie is worth its weight in gold stilettos, giving the film extra warmth and good fun. 

The humor is never forced. Bell lets her pen work to allow the jokes to arise from the situation’s absurdity. When Abby has the idea to enlist an exotic dancer in her quest to seduce Matt, her first reaction upon seeing Santa Monica is, “I found my sexual fairy godmother—in a strip club.” And of course, Santa Monica is not to be outdone and fires on all cylinders with quips of her own. When inquiring how Abby will pay her for her tutorial, she bluntly asks if she will be paid with Pez dispensers. 

The bond between Abby and Santa Monica is the film’s strongest element. Whether incorporating elements from Risky Business or letting the two toil in shenanigans, the film is ultimately better for it. There are a surprising number of sentimental moments in this film that give the story and characters weight. Everyone strives to understand themselves and find community. Abby living in her isolated silo finds her first true friend in Santa Monica and vice versa. 

The film has hilarious supporting players, each with their own personality and wit. Still, the movie is about Abby and Santa Monica; ultimately, the latter carries this picture. Fineman makes it look effortless. Her comedic timing is razor-sharp. She takes what could be a flat character in Santa Monica, serving nothing more than a plot device for Abby, and instead makes her a fully-rounded and intriguing character. There is a subplot centering on the fate of the club, Diamond Dolls, where she works. While this is a less gritty representation of exotic dancing, the situation we find in the movie has a charm and appeal that makes us want to see these characters again. 

Summer of 69 is on Hulu, and in some ways, it is a shame, because this film feels like it was meant to play before a large crowd. Certain moments call for the theatrical experience, and even its sentimentality brings to mind movies of this kind from a long-gone theatrical era. The film is not looking to reinvent the wheel, but commits itself to having fun and charming us all the way.  

Summer of 69 is currently available to stream on Hulu.