Summer Rental (1985)

15% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
54% of users liked it
(9,083 ratings)

This routine comedy is about a series of misadventures during a family vacation at the beach and stars John Candy (who died of a heart attack while filming in Mexico in 1994) as John Chester and Karen Austin as his long-suffering wife Sandy. When the family leave for what turns out to be a pretty… More This routine comedy is about a series of misadventures during a family vacation at the beach and stars John Candy (who died of a heart attack while filming in Mexico in 1994) as John Chester and Karen Austin as his long-suffering wife Sandy. When the family leave for what turns out to be a pretty decrepit shack on a public beach, Jack eventually locks horns with the owner of this dubious piece of real estate, and their conflict terminates in a boat race in which Jack and his motley crew are at first glance, and even second, no match for the others in the race. In the meantime, there are plenty of skits with Jack dressed as anything from an ample, unintentional likeness of a geisha to the normal tourist dude in a Hawaiian shirt. His wife and daughter tackle their own problems, related to sex in one way or another, mostly another. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Carl Reiner
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 9, 1985 Wide
On DVD: Apr 17, 2001
Studio: Paramount Home Video

Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A mediocre, predictable comedy.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
John Candy almost manages to save this one. Almost.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Pleasant, forgettable Candy vehicle
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Reiner hasn't used Hughes to his full potential.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jason O

Jack Chester (John Candy) takes his family to the beach on a summer vacation resort in Florida. While on this vacation, Mr. Chester and his family will encounter tough times, make new friends, and much more. All of these events have something in common: They're hilarious! While… More
Jack Chester (John Candy) takes his family to the beach on a summer vacation resort in Florida. While on this vacation, Mr. Chester and his family will encounter tough times, make new friends, and much more. All of these events have something in common: They're hilarious! While I was watching "Summer Rental," I could tell that it just had an average script and that in all ways it should've just been an average movie, but John Candy's hilarious antics make this one a keeper for comedy fans. There are many different parts of "Summer Rental" that you'll always remember once you see them such as when an attractive woman asks John Candy for an honest opinion, and when Candy goes on the beach for the first time and tries to avoid many obstacles. Not only is "Summer Rental" hilarious, it also has other redeeming qualities such as the adventure that Mr. Chester (John Candy) and his family go on close to the end of the film. To make it short, if you like hilarious comedy movies, I definitely recommend getting "Summer Rental." You'll want to keep this movie for more than just a rental. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001. John Candy's an all-time great.
Lafe F

A nice funny summer movie with John Candy and his family at a vacation resort and a memorable yaht race. It's lighthearted and fun.
RJ M

What a loss John Candy was to the comedy world. One of the most likeable comedians ever, he didn't get his due respect until the likes of Uncle Buck, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. But before those days, he made this little gem about a stressed out dad that takes his family… More
What a loss John Candy was to the comedy world. One of the most likeable comedians ever, he didn't get his due respect until the likes of Uncle Buck, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. But before those days, he made this little gem about a stressed out dad that takes his family for a summer vacation in Florida where, of course, everything goes wrong. Candy has the perfect everyman quality that makes him instantly identifiable with anyone who's ever had a vacation go wrong. At the same time he struggles to make the most of it, and saves the summer for his family. The movie is filled with colorful supporting characters. Rambo's Richard Crenna is perfect as the stuck up local sailing celebrity that butts heads with Candy every step of the way. Rip Torn is hilarious as the local restaurant owner, who fancies himself a pirate, that becomes Candy's best friend. The movie isn't a laugh riot from beginning to end, but there is such a warm hearted vibe that runs through it, that it's impossible not to feel good while watching it. The Florida locations add to the good feelings, as the movie also manages to maintain a small town feel amid the oceanside vistas. There are many scenes of sailing, including a regatta at the end, that provide beautiful scenery away from shore. There are, however, many hilarious scenes. Candy's struggle with a leaky cooler on a crowded beach, sailing lessons that go wrong, a drunk game of darts, and many family situations that anyone can nod their head and say "Yep, been there." I really do miss John Candy. He was an immensly talented actor that was just hitting his stride, and reaping the rewards. Thankfully, he left us movies filled with smiles, like this one.
Leo L

Brilliant movie!

Cast

            John Candy as Jack Chester

            Rip Torn as Scully

            Richard Crenna as Al Pellet

            Karen Austin as Sandy Chester

            Kerri Green as Jennifer Chester

            Aubrey Jene as Laurie Chester

            John Larroquette as Don Moore

            Joey Lawrence as Bobby Chester

            Carmine Caridi as Ed

            Rob Cleveland as Mickey

            Bill Cordell as Real Estate Agent

            Murphy Dunne as Announcer

            Leigh French as Announcer

            Lois Hamilton as Vicki

            Richard Herd as Angus MacLachan

            Pierrino Mascarino as Maitre D'

            Frank McCarthy as Hal

            Santos Morales as Cortez

            Roger Perkovich as Fat Man

            Reni Santoni as Announcer

            Robert Starr as Thirsty Man

            Dick Anthony Williams as Dan Gardner

            Harry Yorku as Pirate Musician

            Leonard Altobell as Race Official

            Lisa Anthony as Woman

            Sal Biagini as Boy Friend

            Tom Blackwell as Gregg

            Marion L. Boswell as Floyd

            Tina Burton as Phone Lady

            Christian Chicles as Lifeguard

            Yvonne Cook as Daughter

            Saundra Dunson-Franks as Mrs. Gardner

            Tanzia Franks as Gardner's Daughter

            Walter Franks as Gardner's Son

            Patricia Herd as Photographer at Pier

            Al Hesse as Father

            Colin Male as Sailboat Repairman

            Tracey May as Volleyball Girl

            Carolyn B. Peterson as Phone Lady

            Jerry Previch as Lifeguard

            Scot Samis as Russ

            Peggy Shay as Elderly Neighbor

            Dolores Starling as Pellet's Wife

            Robert Stout as Man with Beard

            Elyn Swofford as Boat Rental Agent

            Cindi Vicino as Mother

            Barbara Wells as Race Official

            Bob Wells as Stan Greene

            Jack C. Woods as Regatta Announcer

            Penny Perry Davis
            
            Joseph Lawrence
            
            Marie Rivière
            
            Amira Chemakhi
            
See full cast