PG | 1 h 23 min | Comedy, Family | 2026
“American Summer” isn’t a film for those who’re cynical about songs like “America the Beautiful” or the sentiments expressed therein. It’s for those who’ll find in its simplistic coming-of-age tale the pastoral comforts of that song.
Producer-screenwriter-director Michael W. Gray’s film, which features the song in a key scene, is a childlike ode to small-town America. It’s as if Gray is praying with the songwriter for America:
“God shed His grace on thee … mend thine ev’ry flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law! … May God thy gold refine, till all success be nobleness, and ev’ry gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.”
Looking Back
In the film, it’s an adult Mikey (Steve Guttenberg) who sees beyond the years. He cherishes (through flashbacks) all that his 14-year-old self (Logan Gray) loved and learned during one distant summer in his hometown of Allendale, New Jersey.
He’s grateful for how his family and community refined the gold (goodness) within him, mended his flaws, and taught him self-control. With some understatement, adult Mikey says of his buddy’s grandma: “Grandmas are great. … Who makes brownies for everyone else but themselves?”
Baseball coach Eddie (Cullen Moss) straightens young Mikey out when he loses his focus on crucial baseball trials. Mikey discovers that he must work odd jobs and earn enough to pay those baseball bills his family hadn’t envisaged paying. Apart from the serious stuff, he recalls fun with his buddies, including cycling, pool-hopping, and savoring backyard barbecues.
Alongside his mom, Erica (Erinn Ruth), Grandpa (Dan Lauria), and kid brother, Mikey copes without his U.S. Army dad (Stephen Krahel), who’s missing in action overseas. To them, that includes sitting together at table and holding hands in silent prayer.
Mikey also falls for his school sweetheart, Kelly (Mia Talerico), who his adult self clarifies is “the” girl; she isn’t one among many but “the” woman (Christie Brinkley) he eventually marries.
This movie was filmed on location in Bergen County, New Jersey. Gray’s characters frequently break the fourth wall. This works … sometimes. Cinematographer Collin Brazie smartly captures character emotions, and editor Gregory Cusumano ensures an even pace, especially in the latter half.
If, in the opening scenes, the child actors appear stilted and less spontaneous, they settle into a rhythm soon enough. The opening credits being shown through home videos of a carefree childhood works well, but the retro ad insert of American Hot Sauce feels gimmicky. It may have worked better if other retro ads were woven into the narrative, instead of one just being duct-taped on.
The fluttering Stars and Stripes, though, is more than a gimmick. It’s a symbol running through the film, reminding people of who they are and what they ought to stand for.
Happily, the characters remind themselves that resilience is as American as it gets. Erica tells Mikey to continue to practice baseball; the family must live just as if he (Dad) were around so that by the time he’s back, Mikey can show him the progress he’s made.
Conspicuously missing from Mikey’s precious summer? Mobile phones. People talk (and listen) to each other, and not just more but better. They make eye contact and scan for nonverbal cues like smiles, frowns, and pensive looks.
People show they care by showing up, shaking hands, patting shoulders, hugging, or high-fiving; they’re not into emoji-ing or GIF-ing their way in or out of situations. Coach Eddie comes to the home to deliver the verdict on Mikey’s baseball trials in person.
On the field, Eddie reveres teamwork: “We win together, we lose together. … One of you slacks off, we all pay the price.” At home, Erica tells Mikey: “I need you on my side.”
Mentor Coach
It was because Eddie was such a great coach, adult Mikey explains, that even as a boy, he pushed himself to do better. In his dad’s absence, it was Eddie who mentored Mikey. Like baseball hitting, he explains, life too is about intent, timing, positioning, and a nice little follow-through.
Eddie shines in the most effective scene, proxying for Mikey’s dad when Erica is disciplining Mikey, threatening to rob him of the freedom he so enjoys.
Eddie swivels between boy and mother to ask, first, that the boy be more responsible, and second, that the mother allow him space as a teen to grow into the responsibility she desires for him.
He challenges Mikey: “If you’re not listening to your mom at home, how do I know you’re gonna listen to me on the field? … You wanna be a man, great; what kinda man do you wanna be?” He urges Erica: “He wants a little more independence. … That’s natural; give it to him.” Then, to Mikey, “You’ve got to prove that you deserve it.”
You can watch “American Summer” in theaters from Sept. 4, 2026.
‘American Summer’
Director: Michael W. Gray
Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Logan Gray, Dan Lauria
MPA Rating: PG
Running Time: 1 hour, 23 minutes
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2026
Rated: 3 stars out of 5
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