Summer Rental Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A stressed-out guy rents a lemon of a beach house, accidentally declares war on a yachtsman in pleated pants, and then decides to win a boat race using a floating restaurant.

🍿 Summer Rental: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Stressed-Out Air Traffic Controller

Jack Chester, an overworked air traffic controller played by John Candy, is on the verge of a breakdown due to job-related stress. After a near-miss incident at work, his boss mandates a vacation. He decides to take his family to the sunny beaches of Citrus Cove, Florida, hoping for a relaxing getaway.

Vacation Mishaps Begin

The Chester family’s vacation quickly turns chaotic. They mistakenly end up at a luxurious beachfront property, only to realize they’ve got the wrong address. Their actual rental is a dilapidated shack far from the beach. Further mishaps include sunburns, restaurant altercations, and general vacation mayhem.

Rivalry with Al Pellet

Adding to Jack’s woes, he clashes with Al Pellet, a wealthy and arrogant yachtsman played by Richard Crenna. Their rivalry escalates after a series of incidents, including an accident on the water where Jack damages Al’s boat. The animosity culminates when Al buys the Chester’s rental property and evicts them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Jack Chester (John Candy): An overworked air traffic controller who takes his family on a disastrous beach vacation and ends up in a rivalry with a yachtsman.
• Sandy Chester (Karen Austin): Jack’s supportive wife who tries to keep the family together amidst the vacation chaos.
• Al Pellet (Richard Crenna): The arrogant and wealthy yachtsman who becomes Jack’s rival during the summer vacation.
• Scully (Rip Torn): A quirky, one-handed restaurant owner who becomes Jack’s friend and sailing mentor.
• Jennifer Chester (Kerri Green): The Chester’s teenage daughter who is along for the family’s disastrous vacation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Jack Chester: “Get the hell out of here now!” – Jack yells this at the group of strangers who have taken over his rental house, wielding a crutch.
• Jack Chester: “You’re trying to watch the Smurfs?” – Jack responds in disbelief to a man watching TV in his commandeered house.
• Scully: “Here’s a little ditty me mother used to sing to me.” – Scully announces this before drunkenly singing ‘The Love Boat’ theme with Jack.

💰Box Office

• Budget: None
• Domestic Gross: $24,689,703
• Worldwide Gross: $24,689,703

💥 Summer Rental Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie as a kid and loving it! John Candy was hilarious, and the whole vacation-gone-wrong scenario was so relatable, even if my family vacations were never quite *that* disastrous. The boat race at the end is so silly, but it’s pure 80s fun. The movie is so nostalgic, and it always makes me smile.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of John Candy comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy lighthearted family movies”
  • “Those seeking nostalgic 80s comedies”
  • “People who like underdog stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild comedic violence”
  • “Some suggestive humor (mostly references to breast implants)”
  • “General family-friendly content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Candy is affable as a dad whose determination to please his family usually ends in disaster. The script is thin and obvious, but ‘Summer Rental’ is short. It’s one of those films that you’ll watch, smile at from time to time, and then you’ll forget.
• IMDB: “It’s not a bad script but it’s not great either. Some of the set-up’s and payoffs are predictable. The end of the boat race is very predictable, you know John & family are going to win. I had hoped he’d make his victory funnier somehow.
• IMDB: “Great cast, potential for a great comedy and all of it was wasted. The ambition and effort was there but I needed to laugh more. This movie falls into the category of occasionally getting some good movies but also having a handful of forgettable or just plain bad ones

Audience Reactions

John Candy’s performance makes the movie enjoyable despite the simple plot.: Fans appreciate the lighthearted humor and the family-friendly theme.

The yacht race climax is predictable but entertaining.: Viewers find the 80s nostalgia appealing.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted, family-friendly comedy elevated by John Candy’s performance, despite a predictable plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Many scenes were filmed around St. Petersburg and Tierra Verde, Florida, showcasing the local scenery.”
• “The movie features Jimmy Buffett’s song ‘Turning Around’ on its soundtrack, adding to its beachy vibe.”
• “Karen Austin, who played the mother, Sandy Chester, was less than 12 years older than Kerri Green, who played her daughter Jennifer.”

🖥️ How to Watch Summer Rental?

Summer Rental is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can also be found through online retailers like Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Summer Rental, you might like these similar films:

• National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983): Shares the theme of a family vacation plagued by comedic mishaps and escalating problems.
• The Great Outdoors (1988): Another John Candy-led comedy about a family vacation gone wrong, focusing on family dynamics and humor.
• Caddyshack (1980): Features a clash between a working-class protagonist and a wealthy antagonist in a comedic setting, similar to the yacht race rivalry.
• What About Bob? (1991): Explores the theme of unwanted vacation guests disrupting a family’s peace, with comedic consequences.

🛒 Summer Rental Related Products

• Summer Rental Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original theatrical poster. Perfect for fans to display their love for this classic comedy.
• John Candy: The Comedy Genius: A digital biography exploring John Candy’s life and career, including behind-the-scenes stories from ‘Summer Rental’.
• Custom ‘The Barnacle’ T-Shirt: Features a unique design inspired by Scully’s floating restaurant, ‘The Barnacle’, from the movie.
• Sailing Regatta Game: Citrus Cove Edition: A strategy game where players compete in a sailing regatta inspired by the movie’s climax. Includes characters and locations from the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

Summer Rental features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Turning Around” – performed by Jimmy Buffett
• “Theme from Love Boat” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Summer Rental

Bet you didn’t know all the secrets behind Summer Rental! This video dives into some fascinating trivia that’ll make you appreciate the movie even more – prepare to be surprised!

Summer Rental (1985) | (Almost) Cult Classics

Ever wondered why Summer Rental still resonates with audiences today? This video breaks down its charm and lasting impact – it’s a great watch for anyone who loves a good cult classic!

Best Belch Ever – Summer Rental

Remember that legendary belch in Summer Rental? It’s arguably one of the funniest moments in the whole movie, and this video lets you relive it in all its glory. Prepare to laugh!

✨ Rate