Summertree (1971)

The 1970s yielded some remarkable films but this relic isn’t one of them. Nothing dates a film faster than topicality and SUMMERTREE is mired down in a 1960s sensibility that seem antiquated in the 21st century. If the film were any good at all it it wouldn't matter but it’s so simplistic in its execution and morality that even in 1971, it couldn’t have looked good. Produced by Kirk Douglas and directed by actor Anthony Newley (DOCTOR DOLITTLE), it’s about this guitar playing child of the 60s (Michael Douglas) trying to find himself while images of Viet Nam rage over the TV and radio airwaves. He’s lost interest in college and spends his time mentoring a young inner city youth (Kirk Calloway who’s embarrassingly bad) and romancing a married nurse (Brenda Vaccaro). As the threat of being drafted looms, he must make some life changing decisions. Outside of Calloway, the actors are quite good but they’re floundering around with an insufficiently written script and Newley’s pedestrian direction. With Jack Warden, Barbara Bel Geddes, Rob Reiner and Teri Garr.