Stolen Summer

Stolen Summer is a heartwarming yet emotionally profound drama film directed by Pete Jones and produced as a result of the HBO series "Project Greenlight," which documented its creation from script to screen. The film stars Aidan Quinn, Kevin Pollak, and promising newcomer Amara Balthrop-Lewis, among other talented cast members.

The main plot of Stolen Summer takes place in the 1970s, and revolves around an eight-year-old Catholic schoolboy named Pete O'Malley. The young boy is played by Adi Stein, but it's the riveting performances of Aidan Quinn as Joe O'Malley, Pete's hardworking father and a firefighter, which leaves an indelible imprint in the heart of the viewer. Kevin Pollak brilliantly portrays Rabbi Jacobsen, a man of wisdom who guides the young Pete throughout his spiritual journey and Amara Balthrop-Lewis showcases a promising talent in her portrayal of the rabbis' daughter, Sarah Jacobsen.

The movie starts with Pete, who, after a lesson about hell and damnation at his Catholic school, decides to embark on a mission of faith to guarantee his place in heaven. Troubled by his priest's sermons about the consequence of sin, Pete becomes obsessed with the idea of helping someone get into heaven. He naively concludes that he could assist a Jewish person in converting to Christianity, thus optimizing their chances of avoiding divine punishment according to his understanding.

This is how Pete meets Danny Jacobsen, a Jewish boy who suffers from Leukemia. The Jacobsen family is introduced to us through Danny, their critically ill son, and the plight of the family evokes deep empathy. Kevin Pollak, as Rabbi Jacobsen, is stoically supportive of his son’s strange new friendship with Pete, recognizing the need for his young son to explore and question during the late stages of his illness.

Stolen Summer delves into the sensitive and well-traveled territory of religious faith and prejudice. It deals with hard-seeming issues like mortality, the afterlife, interfaith relationships, and belief during times of crisis. It does so by using the innocence of young Pete, his earnestness, and his compassion as a lens through which we perceive these complexities. The story is as much about Pete's journey towards understanding the distinction between faiths as it is about grappling with the innocence lost in childhood.

Aidan Quinn, as Joe O'Malley, deals with the conflict of allowing his son's seemingly innocent friendship and his fear of interfaith complications with admirable ease. Bonnie Hunt, who plays the role of Pete's mother, excels in her portrayal of a mother who tries to support her son's faith inspired efforts but is deeply concerned about his understanding of death and the afterlife.

Each of the characters in Stolen Summer is relatable in their efforts to handle faith, friendship, prejudice, and personal loss, making it a deep-seated emotional journey. A well-narrated story backed by strong performances, Stolen Summer manages to tackle heavy subjects while maintaining its sobriety.

Director Pete Jones, in his debut effort, concocts a mix of compassion, innocence, faith, and understanding, all within the realm of a family drama. He keeps the narrative tight without losing sight of the emotional quotient, making the movie a compelling watch.

Furthermore, the film's cinematography and music deserve special mention. They manage to beautifully capture the '70s in a small American town and enhance the mood of the story.

Stolen Summer eventually is not just a film about religion or a debate on whose path to heaven is right. It's a story of the human spirit, exploring life and afterlife, friendship, family, and, most importantly, understanding and acceptance. It's a tale that compels you to reflect on faith and interfaith dynamics, but without preaching or bias. It provides a balanced perspective, all while tugging at your heartstrings.

In conclusion, Stolen Summer is a beautifully made movie about faith, friendship, and acceptance. It has strong acting performances, especially by the leads, Aidan Quinn and Kevin Pollak. It's an insightful, endearing, and deeply emotional journey aided by well-crafted characters and a well-narrated story that stays with you long after the movie ends. It's a must-watch for those interested in character-driven dramas dealing with profound questions of life and faith.