[Tribeca 2024] GRIFFIN IN SUMMER -- A Comforting Coming-of-Age Story About Growing Up Queer and Creative

Review by Tatiana Miranda

The best way to describe Nicholas Colia's Griffin in Summer is Theater Camp meets Rushmore meets Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. The movie centers around the titular Griffin, a 14-year-old aspiring playwright who is a bit of a jaded writer. His latest work, Regrets of Autumn, is described by Griffin as Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? meets American Beauty and centers around the downfall of a marriage. It's heavy stuff for a 14-year-old, but as the movie progresses and we meet Griffin's miserable mother, portrayed by Melanie Lynskey, and learn about his increasingly absent father, it makes sense why he would choose to base his play on such a subject matter. Although Griffin's plays might be a bit depressing, the film is anything but that.
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After alienating himself from his peers and long-time collaborators, Griffin meets Brad, an attractive 20-something handyman and former performance artist from New York City. While it isn't instant infatuation, Griffin quickly begins to look up to Brad and his former life in New York and discovers more about his burgeoning sexuality as he develops a crush on Brad. While it's no controversial queer romance like Call Me by Your Name, it is more of a comedic and heartfelt coming-of-age that focuses on growing up as someone a little unordinary through both their sexuality and interests.
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While Griffin in Summer can be a bit campy at times, it is ultimately a funny and relatable look at discovering yourself as a teenager. Incredible performances bring the story to life, with Everett Blunck portraying a standoffish yet passionate Griffin. His usual creative partner, Kara, is effectively played by Abby Ryder Fortson, best known for her role in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Even Brad's over-the-top girlfriend, portrayed by Kathryn Newton, is a comedic scene-stealer. While each character seems to fall into specific tropes to service Griffin's growth, it doesn't feel inauthentic or one-dimensional. Even though the movie centers on Griffin, each character is unique and well-developed while not taking too much attention away from the titular character and his arc. ​

Because of Griffin's niche interest, his passion for his art differs greatly from his peers, who would rather spend the summer at parties or, for Kara, with her new boyfriend than spend hours practicing for an amateur play. While these secondary characters might just as easily have been played off as pawns to signal Griffin's loneliness and disconnect, instead, they also have their individual stories of growth and change. Lynskey's performance as Griffin's mom is, although understated, a great insight into what makes Griffin the way he is while also establishing her individuality as a character.

Although Griffin in Summer is not necessarily groundbreaking in terms of coming-of-age films, it is a wholesome and relatable story about growing up and not fitting in. Griffin's solace in his art and dreams about moving to New York is something that most young, queer creatives in suburbia can relate to, and Brad's setbacks as an artist are also familiar to those who have followed their passions into adulthood.

Griffin in Summer premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, which ran from June 5-16 in New York City.

Rating: 4/5