Days of the Bagnold Summer

Released Feb 19, 2021

1h 25m

Comedy

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List

93%

54 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

50+ Ratings

Audience Score

Based on the critically acclaimed graphic novel, DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER is a funny yet sweet coming-of-age story about single motherhood and Metallica. Daniel was supposed to spend the summer with his dad and his dad's new wife in Florida, but when his dad cancels the trip Daniel and his mom suddenly face the prospect of six long weeks together. An epic war of wills ensues in their suburban home as Daniel just wants to listen to heavy metal and start a band while his mom hopes to rekindle the fun times they used to have together. Featuring original songs by Belle and Sebastian.

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Critics Consensus

Days of the Bagnold Summer draws on well-rounded performances from its leads to fill in the familiar outlines of its coming-of-age story with gentle humor and tender insight.

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Peter G

I was intrigued by the film‘s premise but in the end it really went nowhere for me. The lone sympathetic character was the mom & I became quickly annoyed with her son in the film who even though he claims that ˋmusic is my life ´ demonstrates little to indicate any motivation in this direction. A born slacker even at 15 (although he looks a good 3 years older) one may deduce that his absent lackadaisical dad may have something to do with this but his perpetual sleep walking characterization just drags the story down & despite her own dilemmas, leaves one rooting for the mother at the expense of her son which is likely not the film‘s intention. An artificial happy ending is not the answer either but developing an interest in the character‘s frustrations should be which is something that this inert enterprise fails to accomplish, IMO.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/18/24

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Mark C

Beautifully acted, decent cinematography and a sensitive soundtrack from Belle and Sebastian; but ultimately utterly pointless. A plot that seems to have withered on the vine during this yawnfest of a summer in which a despicably obnoxious teenager badmouths his desperately unloved mother, their dog dies four fifths of the way through, and he starts being a little bit nicer. If there was a poetic subtelty to the graphic novel, then Simon Bird has completely failed to capture it here, and it seems that, with luck, this may be the final nail in the coffin of his artistic ambitions. However, top marks to the stirling efforts of the cast and Belle & Sebastian,...not their fault.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/06/24

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Susanne M

Sweet, funny, sad, touching. Great performances. Loved, loved this movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/16/22

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isla s

I really quite enjoyed this film for how understated it is and the performance by Monica Dolan as the mother is really, really good. Its surprisingly thoughtful too, or I felt it was. There are some amusing scenes and a good cast including Rob Brydon and Tamsin Greig. It's not exactly a fast paced film or a particularly dramatic film but its a nice film with a slight sense of teenage nostalgia about it and moreso a good dose of sentimentality but not overly cheesy - a real British teen film which is a good piece of social commentary on a single mum trying to look out for her teenage son which I'd happily recommend.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

This is an ultra pleasant movie. It's so easy to watch and it flows very well. The way its minimalistic approach and contained story mesh with its characters' personalities is very satisfying. A parent/child movie is universally appealing and even more so when it's easy to relate to both characters like it is in Days of the Bagnold Summer. Both Sue and Daniel are such enjoyable and empathetic characters it was pretty tough not to love this wholesome movie.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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the s

I love a good independent film about nothing in particular. This one has all of the typical elements: the divorced couple, the dark, brooding loner teenager, the awkward, isolated mom. The Belle & Sebastian soundtrack. Unfortunately it still doesn't work very well. I think it's missing all of the nuance that gives the characters charm and the relatable situations that endear us to the characters. The acting is done well enough, it's just the characters aren't written well enough for us to empathize with them. After an hour of the brooding teen, it just makes you want to turn it off and say a silent prayer for not being stuck with a teen like that. I'm sure those types are out there but this one is written particularly difficulty. I write this all the time in reviews but it's still the biggest part of a film that kills it for audiences: you can write difficult and complex characters without making them wholly unlikeable. Even the most salty teens should have *something* endearing about them and something that allows us to empathize with them. Not all awkward mom characters have to be lost causes and morbidly and clinically depressed. Wes Anderson is an expert at this…without the nuance and quirks, sitting through his movies would be next to impossible. And it's not that hard…nobody is as simple as the worst stereotype a writer can dream up and they shouldn't be in film. Remember: you have to be able to relate to a character (or at least understand him or her) before you can find any interest in their situation. As good as the acting is, these characters are horribly, horribly cliched, simple and depressing. No upside, no asterisk. They're just very hard to tolerate and it makes the plot and the rest of the specifics almost impossible to get engrossed in. I guess I thought this would have some comedic elements. There are none. The only relief you'll get after you're done with this is the fact that you're not living their lives. And honestly just the fact that it's over.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Simon Bird

Director

Monica Dolan

Sue Bagnold

Earl Cave

Daniel

Rob Brydon

Douglas Porter

Elliot Speller-Gillott

Ky

Tamsin Greig

Astrid

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Days of the Bagnold Summer: Trailer 1

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The genre is well-worn, but smart writing and sterling supporting players (Rob Brydon, Tamsin Greig, Alice Lowe) inject it with heartfelt originality.

Jun 20, 2023

Full Review

Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

The film could do with more urgent pacing and structure, but it's meant to be minimal -- not much more than an acutely observed, achingly accurate slice of modern life.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 24, 2021

Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

It is about small moments, tenderly observed, and it gives full attention and understanding to all of the characters, even the one whose behavior is most inexcusable.

Rated: B+

Feb 22, 2021

Full Review

Charlotte Harrison

Charlotte Sometimes Goes to the Movies

The director debut of Simon Bird, this is a really charming drama about family and how being a teenager is really bloody awful.

Jan 11, 2024

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

This deceptively well-assembled movie has a lot on its mind and a refreshingly blunt way of letting you know it

Rated: 3/5

Nov 30, 2022

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Rob Aldam

Backseat Mafia

A warm-hearted family drama which leaves a pleasant aftertaste.

Apr 20, 2022

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Synopsis

Based on the critically acclaimed graphic novel, DAYS OF THE BAGNOLD SUMMER is a funny yet sweet coming-of-age story about single motherhood and Metallica. Daniel was supposed to spend the summer with his dad and his dad's new wife in Florida, but when his dad cancels the trip Daniel and his mom suddenly face the prospect of six long weeks together. An epic war of wills ensues in their suburban home as Daniel just wants to listen to heavy metal and start a band while his mom hopes to rekindle the fun times they used to have together. Featuring original songs by Belle and Sebastian.

Director: Simon Bird
Producer: James Appleton, Reinhard Besser, Will Clarke, Walter Mair
Screenwriter: Lisa Owens
Distributor: Greenwich Entertainment
Production Co: Particular Crowd, Stigma Films, Storyhouse, Trigger Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English (United Kingdom)
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 19, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 19, 2021
Runtime: 1h 25m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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