Summer School

Summer School is an affable 80’s comedy directed by Carl Reiner, with an entrancing blend of humor, charm, and heart. The film stars Mark Harmon as Freddy Shoop, a high school gym teacher who finds himself tasked with an unexpected obligation. The movie was released in 1987 and tackles the, sometimes dubious, notions of what constitutes effective teaching and who is, in reality, teaching whom.

Freddy Shoop, a laid back and fun-loving gym teacher, has plans for a Hawaiian summer vacation that are swiftly derailed when he’s coerced into teaching remedial English over the summer. Shoop's dreams of a tropical escape are tossed aside, and he finds himself responsible for a group of misfit students who all failed their English class.

However, Shoop is far from the conventional teacher archetype. His teaching methods consist mainly of taking his students to amusement parks, the beach and other unserious field trips, a far cry from conventional schooling, hence the title "Summer School". These practices, as any educational official might predict, draw the ire of the diligent Vice Principal, Mr. Gills (played by Robin Thomas) which forms the plot’s central conflict.

In its essence, the film provides the audience with a vibrant congregation of colorful characters. The students in Shoop's class are a diverse bunch, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. There's the football jock, the pregnant teen, the dyslexic boy, the horror movie buff duo that loves gory makeup, a foreign exchange student unfamiliar with the English language, a narcoleptic young woman who falls asleep at the most inopportune moments, and a go-getter stripper studying for her General Education Development (GED). This eclectic mix of individuals offers much of the film’s humor and warmth.

Complementing this mix is Kirstie Alley, who plays Robin Bishop, a staunch, disciplined, and dedicated teacher working in the same school. She serves as a love interest for Shoop, even while she deeply disapproves of his methodology. Yet they bond over the summer, and their relationship forms the basis of several of Shoop's character developments.

"Summer School" delves into the idea that education isn't just about what's listed in the syllabus. It's about learning real-world skills and broadening perspectives, valuing individual strengths rather than judging students based on standard tests. The comic essence is the film’s main appeal, but the narrative has its gentle spikes of serious tenderness, making us reflect on the importance of unconventional methods of teaching and the ability to resonate with the students. It underpins the transformative power of teachers, even those least expected to succeed, and the notion that everyone is capable of growth and change.

Mark Harmon’s easygoing, charismatic performance in "Summer School" is a true highlight of the film. He exudes a natural charm that renders his character, Freddy Shoop, believably likable and relatable. The character of Shoop is written very smartly, having enough facets to be compelling, showing genuine concern for his students while maturing from his initial nonchalance. The conflicting pressure on him to simply get the students to pass the test, versus actually teaching them in a more meaningful way, forms the crux of the film.

"Summer School" is an enjoyable exploration of unusual educational methods, unlikely friendships, life lessons, and the journey of a man who learns that he can care about more than just himself. Despite its lighthearted demeanor, the film artfully juxtaposes humor with heartfelt lessons about digging beneath the surface to truly understand and help individuals. Its appealing cast, along with director Carl Reiner's delicately smart and silly touch, delivers a film that's more thought-provoking than one might initially suspect.

Overall, "Summer School" is a heartwarming comedy that floats like a lazy summer day, filled with charm, humor, and a unique quirkiness – an ode for anyone who has ever endured, relished, or skipped the phenomenon known as summer school.