Despite never finding critical or commercial success upon its initial release, "Summer" as a movie managed to succeed in other vital ways, attracting a loyal cult following over the years. The obvious, surface-level enjoyment comes from its thoroughly detailed parody of the '80s all-star sex comedy, right down to the wardrobe, hairstyles, and music cues. Much of the humor, both verbal and situational, is derived from the fact that most of these actors are entirely too old to play teenage counselors. By adding the awkward, almost cringe-worthy moments that would make attending (or working at) a summer camp so uncomfortably real, you have a recipe for something that's brutally honest and painfully funny.
Those ingredients were flavored by a well-formed cast that was assembled at the perfect time, making exemplary use of established stars as well as actors that were on the rise and poised for future success. Janeane Garofalo, mainly known for her acerbic supporting roles, led the cast as the camp director. Christopher Meloni, who starred in the gritty TV dramas "Oz" and "Law & Order: SVU," showed his silly side as the unstable cook. David Hyde Pierce, most recognizable as uptight Niles on the sitcom "Frasier," brought his fussy charm to the role of a depressed neighbor. Last but certainly not least, "Saturday Night Live" scene-stealer Molly Shannon offered an unusually reserved performance as the seriously unlucky-in-love arts and crafts counselor. Among the other counselors were soon-to-be-famous names like Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, and Paul Rudd, all of whom had amassed smaller credits but would go on to higher-profile projects in the years that followed.
As a series, "Summer" has more time to spend with these characters as well as more ways to fill that time. Every single main character from the movie is back (some for only an episode or two, but it still counts). There's also a whole slew of new characters played by current comedy go-to's -- yes, Kristen Wiig should just be in everything -- plus celebrity cameos that are too funny to spoil how they factor into the plot. These additions practically double the size of the cast without ever feeling overcrowded. That in itself is a special achievement, considering that many current series with large ensembles (I'm looking at you, "Grey's Anatomy") feel bloated and scattered with disproportionate focus. The succinct episode count (eight half-hour installments) also keeps the story sharper and moving forward, especially when compared to a standard network comedy season of anywhere from 12 to 24 episodes.
This time around (roughly two months prior to when we last saw them in the story's chronology), the counselors at Camp Firewood have their hands pretty full. Even on the first day with every resource at their disposal, they're certainly no better equipped to handle things. On top of new hires, blossoming and fading relationships, a staff musical, an inter-camp rivalry, at least one wedding ceremony, and something suspicious happening in the woods, the fact that campers are settling in means they're just getting in the way. "Summer" amusingly inverts the camp/coming-of-age trope to say that it's the (alleged) authority figures who need to think and/or grow up. Though the inclusion of the kids is minimal, they are ultimately the surprisingly well-adjusted voices of reason for their temporary guardians.
This sentiment was carried over perfectly intact from the movie, and thankfully, so were its strengths and its sense of humor. Though "Summer" is patently a spoof, the actors deadpan the material with a straight face -- rather than go wildly over-the-top -- to keep the dry, quirky spirit afloat. Overall, the show's attention to detail is what impressed me; they are eager to revisit (rather than ignore) even the smallest of things to explain how they ended up the way they did by the end of that summer. Two words: vegetable can... fans of the movie will get it! There's also a spectacularly clever introduction (I won't say who, but you'll definitely know when it happens) to a character with very little to do in the original that ends up becoming one of the series' most spot-on and hilarious scenes. Further merit, without giving anything away, can be found in the development of Banks' character, Lindsay. Right from the start, we see her as a motivated, three-dimensional person instead of the bimbo that the movie tried to make her. The show not only completes her individual arc but also proves that it's never too late to fix something (in this case, stereotypical character traits) that would have weakened the finished product.
Meanwhile, the film's setting was relatively confined to the camp, save for a brief, mid-day jaunt into town for "supplies," but the series thinks bigger. The idea of broadening the scope so that some of the main action takes place away from the camp threatened to pull focus, but the actors and their impeccable timing knowingly poke fun at the absurdity of the single-day concept while managing to keep even the most ludicrous plot developments grounded. Well, mostly. President Reagan, is that you? Even an actor as talented as Showalter couldn't quite pull off that imitation. But don't let that stop you from embracing the show, especially if you're already a fan! I would humbly advise you to watch (or re-watch) the movie first... just to respect the order and to keep certain moments fresh for later (technically, earlier) exploration.
If the movie and the series just aren't wet or hot enough, Showalter and Wain have given us even more reason to spend time with the Camp Firewood gang. To coincide with the release of the show, a behind-the-scenes documentary about the original film is also available on Netflix. "Hurricane Of Fun" is about an hour long (whittled down from the 25 hours that were shot), and it unveils never-before-seen footage of the cast and crew as they made the movie. Sure, we get the standard on-camera interviews and candid, off-camera antics, but we also get sweet moments like the cast reflecting on the experience with no idea what fame has in store for them. To think that there was a time when Poehler was still on the verge of her big "SNL" break and Cooper was fresh out of acting school! Not to mention that we see the entire cast and crew eat, sleep, and breathe nothing but camp (a real-life retreat was used as the filming location).
At the time of this posting, there are no immediate plans to continue the "Wet Hot" franchise. True, future seasons could fill in the gaps between the end of the first day and the beginning of the last, but is that really necessary? (One delightful throwaway line jokes that by the end of the summer, everyone will look 15 years younger). Sometimes, even with all the dots seemingly connected, not knowing how every little detail transpired makes the wild scenarios that we imagine even funnier than what could ever be committed to film. At the same time, another movie (likely direct-to-Netflix) could show us these dysfunctional counselors' lives and careers in the future, which is suggested in the original by a memorable chunk of dialogue and a brief post-credits scene.
Either option runs the risk of taking away what makes this property so special: a spontaneous, under-the-radar sense of discovery and joy. Besides -- much like the revival of "Arrested Development" that took seven years between seasons -- when will a cast that's this busy and in-demand be able to assemble again in its entirety? When it comes to this kind of "Summer," it has to be all or nothing. Thankfully, the creators and the cast know how (and when) to give that all.
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