"Fenster zum Sommer" or "Summer Window" is a 5-year-old German/Finnish 95-minute movie by writer and director Hendrik Handloegten based on Hannelore Valencak's novel. I have not read said novel, so i am not sure if Handloegten or Valencak is to blame for this film being a disappointment for the most part. The script has its moments, but every time it goes into detail, it becomes pretty flawed. The general premise is an interesting one with a woman having traveled back in time getting the opportunity to change a few things for the better that went wrong. Still I have to wonder why all the things she did during her attempts to turn things goo have no impact at all, but that's a general problem with stories like these. It only changes exactly what they want to be changed and that is not realistic. The problem is not that the entire concept of traveling in time is absurd, the problem is that the writer did not elaborate on these issues convincingly.
Another problem here is the cast. I think Hoss was almost miscast here and Haberlandt proves once again that the way she constantly goes over the top with seemingly likable characters can be pretty annoying. I don't see great range in her, it's all down to charisma and her fitting the quirky nerdy girl always facing so many problems. Also the romance parts in here were fairly uninteresting and I personally never felt for the characters or hoped they would find happiness. What the do, of course. This is another of these films that sacrifice all realism for a feel-good ending. I also felt that the actors had very little chemistry in here, which hurt the overall picture and Hoss was far from good enough to carry this film on her shoulders to becoming a success. If you want to watch a quality movie about similar struggles between humans that is actually well thought through and convincing, I suggest "About Time". "Summer Window" is underwhelming during almost the entire film and I don't recommend it. Thumbs down.
Another problem here is the cast. I think Hoss was almost miscast here and Haberlandt proves once again that the way she constantly goes over the top with seemingly likable characters can be pretty annoying. I don't see great range in her, it's all down to charisma and her fitting the quirky nerdy girl always facing so many problems. Also the romance parts in here were fairly uninteresting and I personally never felt for the characters or hoped they would find happiness. What the do, of course. This is another of these films that sacrifice all realism for a feel-good ending. I also felt that the actors had very little chemistry in here, which hurt the overall picture and Hoss was far from good enough to carry this film on her shoulders to becoming a success. If you want to watch a quality movie about similar struggles between humans that is actually well thought through and convincing, I suggest "About Time". "Summer Window" is underwhelming during almost the entire film and I don't recommend it. Thumbs down.