Parents' Guide to Summertime

Prospective viewers of Summertime should know off the top that this bold film is like a musical -- except instead of musical numbers, there's poetry. It's really good poetry, but Summertime still might not be for you if you're not a poetry fan. (Confession: Poetry isn't this reviewer's favorite thing.) But if you are into poetry, specifically spoken word or slam poetry, then Summertime is right up your alley.

The poems are introspective and relevant to issues that are both specific to Gen Z and more universal. Some of the themes include fissures in relationships between parents and children, self-discovery, the pains of adulthood made worse by an increasingly capitalistic society, and longings for acceptance. Darker themes -- including mental, emotional, and physical abuse -- are also present in the poets-turned-actors' spoken pieces. The characters take turns being in the proverbial spotlight, and while it may seem hard to follow at first, eventually you see the culmination of all of their stories creating the fabric of Los Angeles, where dreams, hopes, and unsavory realities collide into a relatable, inspiring, film about finding the freedom to be yourself.