Indian Summer (1993)

65% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
60% of users liked it
(6,525 ratings)

Mike Binder wrote and directed this reunion story in The Big Chill vein about of group of ex-campers, now in their twenties, who return to their old summer camp to get together again. Alan Arkin plays Uncle Lou, the old camp counselor and resident sage at Canadian summer camp Tamakwa. Leading a… More Mike Binder wrote and directed this reunion story in The Big Chill vein about of group of ex-campers, now in their twenties, who return to their old summer camp to get together again. Alan Arkin plays Uncle Lou, the old camp counselor and resident sage at Canadian summer camp Tamakwa. Leading a group of contemporary youngsters wearing Walkmans on their heads to glory in the beauty of a majestic moose in the Canadian Northwoods, he realizes that the children of today are not the way children were in ancient times before 1993, so he decides to close up shop and shut down Camp Tamkwa for good. But before he does he invites a group of campers from the camp's golden age -- men and women now in their twenties -- an assortment of veteran campers who return to reflect on the past and sort out their troubles. The campers include Beth (Diane Lane), a woman who is adjusting to her husband's accidental death; Jennifer (Elizabeth Perkins), a single woman looking forward to renewing her relationship with fellow camper Matthew (Vincent Spano); Kelly (Julie Warner), Matthew's wife, feeling insecure because she knows Matthew is unhappy in the marriage; and Jamie (Matt Craven), a swinging bachelor with an eye for younger women. Rounding out the pack is Jack (Bill Paxton), who as a boy was kicked out of the camp for a mysterious reason. When he shows up at the camp, the rest of the campers are stunned. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Mike Binder
Genres: Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 23, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Sep 3, 2002

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, Variety
Mike Binder places his well-acted comedy in the familiar turf of other "reunion" films (Return of Secaucus Seven, Big Chill), adding one element to the genre: Instead of indoor weekend, the regrouping is set in a beloved camp of the 1972 summer
Vincent Canby, New York Times
If you like to go to weddings of humdrum people you don't know, you won't want to miss Indian Summer.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Just too pat, too predictable and too generic.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
A mish-mash of mediocre formulas.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
This is a story more interested in tone and mood than in big plot points.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A truly enjoyable movie, with a truly wonderful ensemble
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...with this group of actors (including Sam Raimi, of all people, as a clumsy handyman) it's hard to ever really get bored.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Big Chill-ish camp reunion movie with some lovely performances.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Indian Summer is a feel-good comedy about eight friends who are reunited with each other at a camp.
Hollis Chacona, Austin Chronicle
Binder serves up an unappetizing concoction of Big Chill and Ernest Goes to Camp stew.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Dannielle A

This movie brings back memories of camp! Anyone who hasn't been to camp can never completely appreciate this movie. It's all about the bonds you make that last a lifetime, the memories you can't forget, the growing that takes place there, and how you mark your life by… More
This movie brings back memories of camp! Anyone who hasn't been to camp can never completely appreciate this movie. It's all about the bonds you make that last a lifetime, the memories you can't forget, the growing that takes place there, and how you mark your life by the summers at camp. The seven friends want to save this camp because it was a huge part of their childhood. The characters are real: a couple struggling with martial problems, a woman whose husband died, a man dealing with regret. There are so many storylines going on at once but it adds depth and life to the movie.
RJ M

The Big Chill goes to summer camp in this thoroughly enjoyable trip down memory lane. A group of 30somethings return to their childhood summer camp, only to find that it is about to be closed down. For the next week, they rekindle old romances, remember the lazy days of summer, and… More
The Big Chill goes to summer camp in this thoroughly enjoyable trip down memory lane. A group of 30somethings return to their childhood summer camp, only to find that it is about to be closed down. For the next week, they rekindle old romances, remember the lazy days of summer, and try to make amends for past mistakes. The movie features a solid ensemble cast that includes Alan Arkin, Bill Paxton, Diane Lane, Kevin Pollack, and my ultimate Hollywood crush, Kimberly Williams. Look for Spider-Man director Sam Raimi in a small part as the camps maintenance man. Beautiful cinematography makes you wish you had gone to this very camp. It's funny, sentimental, dramatic, and touching. Definately a feel good movie, and a nice one to watch on a lazy day, or when the weather is bad outside. One note to anyone looking to buy the DVD (if you can still find it), the packaging says it is a full screen presentation...not true. The movie is presented in the widescreen format, so you miss nothing!
Christopher B

I prefer this to The Big Chill because of Raimi, Arkin and Paxton. Throw them in a movie where they just sit down and watch a deer and I'd love it.
Leo L

This film has always been a favorite of mine. Loved watching in my youth, and still love watching it now.