Summertime is a 1955 romantic comedy drama film directed by David Lean, and starring Katharine Hepburn (as Jane) and Rossano Brazzi (as Renato). It follows a lonely middle-aged American secretary (Jane) during her experiences touring Venice alone, for the first time, looking for love.
The movie was filmed on location in Venice and the city was like a significant character along with Jane and Renato (an Italian shopkeeper). The scenery was mesmerizing.
David Lean (Best Director) and Katharine Hepburn (Best Actress) were nominated for Academy Awards, but neither won.
Summertime reminded me of another 1955 movie, Marty, about a lonely man in New York City. Both Jane and Marty are looking for love, but are afraid of the effort (possibility of rejection) required to find it. As Marty said, "I don't want to get hurt no more."
In the first scene in which we see both Jane and Renato, he is staring at her at an outdoor cafe. When she makes eye contact with him, she turns away and quickly leaves. She should have smiled back at him.
Here is some of the outstanding dialogue written by David Lean and H. E. Bates.
Jane: I was coming to Europe to find something...I was looking for...a wonderful mystical magical (experience)...to find what I've been missing all my life
a friend: those miracles, they can happen some times, but you must give a little push to help
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Renato: I came to see you...for you, it is no trouble
Jane: why did you come to see me?
Renato: it is only natural...why must you understand (why I am here)?...the most beautiful things in life are those we do not understand...because you attract me...we saw each other, we liked each other...this is so nice, how can it be wrong
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Jane: Why did you do that (kiss me)? I don't think I want to see you again. (after another kiss) I love you. Tomorrow?
Renato: Eight.
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A friend: Everybody loves you.
Jane: I don't want everybody. I can't handle a crowd. Two. That's the loveliest number in the world.
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Renato: You dream of meeting someone you want: young, rich, witty, brilliant and unmarried. But me, I am a shopkeeper. Not young, not rich, not witty, not brilliant and married (but separated). But, I am a man and you are a woman. You are like a hungry child who is given ravioli to eat. No, you say, I want beef steak. My dear girl, you are hungry, eat ravioli.
Jane: I'm not that hungry.
Renato: There is a noise in your head. Be quiet. Let it happen.
Jane: I want it to happen. It just isn't the way I thought it would be. I come from such a different world and I'm not going to be here long.
Renato: So, it is better to take home only Venetian glass (she purchased)?
