Surviving Summer (DVD)

Lizzie McGuire's back, and she's turned bad girl! In Surviving Summer (released in the US as According to Greta), superstar Hilary Duff takes time off from playing a whimsical teen to play moody teen Greta. Greta is a troublemaker who is threatening to spoil her mother's third marriage, so she's sent to her grandparents in New Jersey for the summer. Initially bored out of her mind, she creates amusement for herself by being disrespectful to everybody, especially her grandparents. Eventually, she begins to learn that there's more to life than making other people's lives a misery. 

The film's idea of teenage rebellion is laughable; it seems to have been written by someone who's either out of touch or else seriously deluded. After a slow start, though, the film gradually becomes more engaging as Greta becomes less obnoxious. There's a good dose of reasonably well done 'serious' drama, thanks in no small part to the supporting cast, in particular Ellen Burstyn as Greta's grandmother and especially Evan Ross as love interest Julie.

In the end, of course, your enjoyment of this film will depend entirely on how you respond to Hilary Duff. Personally, I found her excruciatingly annoying. But I'm sure that plenty of teenage girls - the film's intended audience, after all - will find her funny and engaging.

Overall Verdict: A fine 90 minutes for undemanding teenagers.

Special Features:
Trailer

Reviewer: Tom René