Summer Storm

Ah, the woes of teenage angst. The litany of gay films is filled with coming out stories simply because that time period makes for great drama. The German film Summer Storm is one such entry in the genre but is unique in a couple ways. One, it tackles the topic of what if you're not only gay but hopelessly in love with your straight best friend and two, it has a rather unique setting in that it takes place at a Rowing Club retreat. 

Tobi (played by Robert Stadlober) is secretly nursing a serious crush on his best friend Achim (played by Kostja Ullmann). Tobi and Achim are very close friends and Achim roughhousing and playful teasing have only encouraged Tobi that maybe, just maybe his friend feels the same way. The two of them are members of the local rowing team and about to depart on a weeklong rowing retreat that ends with a big regatta with several competing teams. Many of the teammates are anticipating their arrival as there is supposed to be an all girls team from Berlin there, but to their shock the girls team dropped out due to illness and was replaced by a team "Queerschlag", a team made up exclusively by gay boys. Tobi catches the eye of one of the boys from the gay team, the sensitive Leo (played by Marlon Kittel). Despite the affection shown to him by Leo, Tobi still has eyes only for Achim as both a literal and figurative storm is brewing amongst the rowers. 

I really enjoyed Summer Storm when it was first released back in 2005. Despite the film being from another country and being in another language, the emotion of the piece still rings out. The agony that Tobi puts himself through trying to let Achim know how he feels is palpable throughout the film, as is the frustration when Tobi just won't let go even as it becomes clear it will never happen between him and Achim. It's a balancing act, but Robert Stadlober does a good job never making Tobi seem creepy, just lovesick and confused. As I watched it, I kept wishing that Tobi would just get over Achim and give poor Leo a chance, who seemed like a far more viable romantic candidate. But, alas, the heart wants what it wants and I get the feeling Tobi was pretty much oblivious to any outside opportunities. 

The film was directed by Marco Kreuzpaintner from a script by him and Thomas Bahmann. They treat the story with sense of tenderness, letting the heartache of the situation ring through. The film is also punctuated with a couple of comedic interludes as the other gay rowers take great delight in messing with Tobi's homophobic teammate (because of course there has to be one). Not only are they not phased by his remarks, they take delight in messing with him at any chance, making for some humorous moments to break up the angst. The film is beautifully shot, taking place mostly at the rowing camp and captures the German countryside wonderfully. 

Overall, Summer Storm is a tenderly told coming of age/coming out story that is wonderfully acted and breaks free from the usual offerings of this sub-genre to break free and be a little bit more unique as it mixes in the ever-relatable feelings of unrequited love. It was a film I enjoyed because to a certain point I could relate to it's main character (although, unlike Tobi, I can take a hint).