Summer Rental

Summer Rental is a classic American comedy that debuted in 1985, shedding the limelight on versatile actor John Candy. Directed by the skilled Carl Reiner, and written by Jeremy Stevens and Mark Reisman, the movie presents a pleasant amalgamation of humor and family dynamics.

John Candy dons the role of Jack Chester, an overworked air traffic controller, inundated with the strains and stresses of urban living. In a bid to recuperate, he decides to take a much-needed family vacation. He takes his wife, Sandy (Karen Austin), and their three children for a sojourn in the sunny sands of Florida, hoping to spend a peaceful, idyllic summer by the blue Gulf Coast.

The quintessential family man packed with his clumsy, good-natured charm, Jack Chester soon finds his holiday plans upended. The Chesters' rented vacation home, initially thought to be a private beach house, was mistakenly doubled booked. And that's not their only issue; the house is not as pristine as it seemed but is, in fact, a ramshackle space nestled amidst the rowdy locals.

The robust hilarity begins as a series of misadventures ensues – from dealing with obnoxious neighbors to various beach mishaps. One such unforeseen escapade comes in the form of the arrogant, wealth-dripping local sailing champion, Al Pellet (played by Richard Crenna). A confrontation with Pellet sets the wheels in motion for a classic underdog story.

No summer comedy is complete without an eccentric character, and Rip Torn fulfills this role perfectly as Scully, a one-eyed, larger-than-life local restaurateur with a penchant for pirate mythology. His offbeat character provides the right dose of contrast against John Candy’s personality and forms an unlikely friendship that weaves another layer to the storyline.

Just like any quintessential feel-good comedy of the '80s, drama and light-heartedness play a considerable part in Summer Rental. From navigating boating blunders to their fumbling journey in trying to fit into the coastal Florida culture, the Chester family in their trials and tribulations exhibits the peculiarities and ties of family life. As Jack Chester realizes that the lifestyle and the laid-back, beach-going Floridians are not what he expected, hilarity ensues.

The Chesters' summer vacation becomes anything but relaxing as they are thrown into the whirlwinds of summertime chaos. Yet, the narrative beautifully encapsulates Chester's transformation, highlighting his love for his family, his evolution in understanding the true essence of summer vacation, and the importance of shaking off the burden of corporate lifestyle and embracing the soothing, albeit chaotic, beach life. A heated sailboat race becomes the culmination of their vacation, The Chester family, along with newfound friends, including Scully, chooses to stand against the elitist Pellet.

The movie has a strong supporting cast, including Joey Lawrence and Kerri Green, whose performances maintain the natural and believable dynamic of a regular suburban family, making the narrative more relatable. The film's pacing is just right, capturing the essence of '80s era comedy — heartfelt, funny, and entertaining without being overly slapstick.

While Summer Rental primarily dips its toes into the pool of humor, it also touches on themes like resilience, determination, overcoming personal limitations, and creating blessings out of misfortunes. It unveils the reality that vacations are not always the picture-perfect experiences we anticipate, blending into this message doses of humor and wholehearted family interactions.

In a nutshell, Summer Rental presents itself as a charming comedy with its humorous narrative and engaging performances. John Candy’s capabilities as a comic actor shine throughout the film as his character transitions from an overworked, underappreciating gentleman to a more relaxed, tenacious, and appreciative man. It provides the audience with good old family fun, making it an enduring comedy classic from the '80s.