Ping Pong Summer: Movie Review
One of my favorite films of this year’s SXSW Film Festival, was “Ping Pong Summer”. You can see my full SXSW recap here. This weekend it is getting a limited release at Miami’s Cosford Cinema (June 20-22). The film is already available digitally, but if you get the chance, go and catch it on the big screen with a group of friends. If you grew up in the 80’s I am sure the “Ping Pong Summer” will be a bit extra special for you. Check out my SXSW review below.
Coming in a second place right after “Chef” as my top films of SXSW 2014 is the Michael Tully written and directed flick “Ping Pong Summer.” This is one of those rare ‘80s set movies (1985 to be exact) that actually feels like it was filmed three decades ago, thanks in no small part to the wise decision of using a 16mm camera and the Ocean City Maryland location. “Ping Pong Summer” had a whole lot of ‘80s love on display.
Rad Miracle (Marcello Conte) is a shy 13-year-old middle-class white kid who is obsessed with hip-hop and ping pong. In the summer of 1985, Rad joins his sister Michelle (Helena May Seabrook), his mom (Lea Thompson) and dad (John Hannah) on a summer vacation to the beach town of Ocean City. While walking through town sporting his red parachute pants (I used to have a few pair of those myself), Rad meets Teddy Fry (Myles Massey). The two wind up becoming instant friends who spend their days at the Fun Hub, which is this little arcade hidden behind a warehouse.
All Rad and Teddy want to do is play ping pong, but when a spoiled punk named Lyle Ace (Joseph McCaughtry) and his red-headed friend Dale (Andy Riddle) give Rad and Teddy a hard time, Rad challenges Lyle to a Ping Pong match.
It’s not so much that “Ping Pong Summer” is a great movie, because it actually isn’t. It just happens to be a film that gets the elements of the 80′s so right that I could not help but enjoy myself while watching it. There are some insanely funny moments, like watching Rad try to breakdance, and there is one sequence with a hard-boiled egg cooked in a microwave that brought back some ‘80s memories for me. Andy Riddle steals almost every scene with some of the things that come out of his mouth.
“Ping Pong Summer” may not generate the same love from the masses that is gets from me, but for those who grew up on ‘80s cinema, I am pretty sure they will find quite a bit to like here.
By: Marc Ferman