Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Summerland review says it’s breath of fresh air for those who revel in picturesque British village TV series — and for those who don’t.

With most of our vacation plans put on hold or being severely edited, it’s a welcome getaway substitute to watch a sentimental story that takes place in one of the myriad lovely seaside British villages with eccentric characters and secrets to be revealed. The sweet and sentimental Summerland could be the closest most of us get to a British seaside vacation this year.

Of course Summerland takes place during WWII, which makes it a vacation from time as well as place. Here we find Alice, a seemingly misanthropic writer, living alone in a quaint cottage on the cliffs in Southern England. She is extremely reluctant when asked to take in a young London evacuee (as people did in those days) and parts of what happens from there are obvious, others are charmingly surprising and wonderful, especially in this day and age.

Gemma Arterton, is lovely as the crispy writer, and the incandescent Gugu Mbatha-Raw steals the show whenever she’s on screen. British favorites Penelope Wilton (Downton Abbey) and Tom Courtenay (The Dresser) also star, all aptly directed by Jessica Swale, who, with Summerland, serves notice she’s up and coming.

I predict this film will be seen and enjoyed On Demand by far more people than it would have been if it got a traditional theatrical release. Quality independent movies are actually benefitting from the current movie-going situation. We can feel good about welcoming these warm and wonderful characters into our homes, and allow them to transport us to theirs.

Not Rated

1 Hour 40 Minutes

If this Summerland review makes you feel like donning your jumper and wellies and watching, find out how and where at Rotten Tomatoes.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Summerland review says it’s breath of fresh air for those who revel in picturesque British village TV series — and for those who don’t.