Winter Spring Summer or Fall (2024)
Starring Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White known for “Wednesday”, in this Tribeca Film Festival release, the two are seniors unsure of where their relationship could or should go.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Summary
Despite going to the same school, Remy and Barnes have been strangers. However, after seeing her across from his friend’s house while smoking, Barnes takes an interest and takes advantage of seeing her again on a train to New York.
Initially, she isn’t interested since she and her family have plans for her to go to Harvard and become a lawyer, and she has committed to this since 5th grade. But Barnes is charming and nice, and while he isn’t as ambitious, for a time, she thought she could just hang out. However, as time goes on and her grip on her feelings and life loosens, so comes the question of whether room can be made for Barnes or if he should be treated as a dalliance.
Cast and Characters
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Barnes | Percy Hynes White |
| Remy | Jenna Ortega |
Barnes
A military brat, Barnes isn’t sure what’s next for him in life but is sure he loves music, especially local bands, and having a good time.
- The actor is also known for their role in “My Old Ass.”
Remy
Since she was 5, college, Harvard in particular, has been what Remy was molded for. By 5th grade, to know Remy is to know her college ambitions, and from a Google recognition to her studying habits, it seemingly has made her gain this mysterious mystique and has left her slightly isolated.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Miller’s Girl.”
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing) – Recommended
Good If You Like
- Young Adult romances
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Highlights
Percy
Between watching “Winter Spring Summer or Fall” and “My Old Ass,” it’s clear that Percy has the makings of becoming a heartthrob. Granted, credit has to be given to Dan Schoffer for the script, but you can’t discount the boy next door appeal, the slightest of hesitation, even when taking the initiative, and the overall feeling that, as bold as he might be, there is always the possibility of rejection.
It leads to a unique charm that fits the perceptions of Gen Z being more cautious in dating while reminding us that, often, for something to happen, the guy had to make the first move.
The Challenge Of Young Love’s Timing
Your late teens, the end of high school, is a huge jump. Your life and schedule have been controlled by your parents and your school, and now you find yourself thrust to take the reins as if your biggest responsibility thus far wasn’t taking out the trash or watching a family member, at least in the case of Remy and Barnes.
So imagine the sudden ability to control your life. Will you move from New Jersey to Boston for Harvard? What about this boy? If he can take a gap year, why can’t you? What about volunteering in Costa Rica? The madness of your first love, your first major decision, taking on debt as a long-term investment in yourself to set up the foundation for potentially the rest of your life? It’s a lot.
Acknowledging this allows you to give grace and understanding as Barnes and Remy make decisions that, as an adult, may seem inane, but for them, it can make sense. After all, as often quoted by us from a Refinery 29 interview with Rowan Blanchard:
“[…] we forget that when you’re a teenager, everything is literally happening for the first time. Growing up is dramatic! It’s emotional, it’s sad, and it’s really amazing.”
It’s Rooted In Middle/Upper Middle-Class Reality
One of the things we appreciate the most with “Winter Spring Summer or Fall” is that it isn’t over the top. Specifically, while Remy and Barnes come from what looks like a suburban, potentially affluent neighborhood, neither are rich. They aren’t 17 or 18, driving a BMW, going on expensive dates to the fanciest restaurants, or anything like that. Are they privileged? Yes. How many teens can say they have access to a friend’s lake house for the 4th of July weekend, with no parents there and lots of alcohol?
Yet, even with those privileges, between how committed Remy is to her life and career and you seeing Barnes clearly being someone who just doesn’t want a miserable life, what you see feels real and makes it all the easier to sit back and enjoy.
Background Information
| “Winter Spring Summer or Fall” Length | 1 Hour 37 Minutes |
| Date Released | June 7, 2024 |
| Distributor | Film Festival – Tribeca Festival |
| Director(s) | Tiffany Paulsen |
| Writer(s) | Dan Schoffer |
| Based On Work By | N/A |
| Genre(s) | Romance, Young Adult |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
| Content Information | |
| Dialog | Cursing |
| Violence | Blood |
| Sexual Content | N/A |
| Miscellaneous | Drinking |
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