Sundance 2026

Chasing Summer

I’m Trevor with the Sasquatch Movie Minute at the final Park City Sundance and I am here with a review for CHASING SUMMER

2.5 out of 5.

This film is directed by Josephine Decker and written by and starring Iliza Shlesinger.

A very low-key, humorous film about a fired aid worker returning to her Texas hometown that is populated with wacky family and friends who help her figure out whats next. The film has a sweet heart but is kind of a mess. Schlesinger, who plays the lead, Jamie, is mostly know as a stand-up comedian and I did feel that her character was a bit overplayed for the filmmaking style. The director talked about how the film was ‘found in editing’ which usually means a lot of last minute changes to the script. You can see that here; with abrupt tone shifts, confusing plot twists, and some odd character changes.

Best scene. I like the long one-shot tracking scene through the aid station at the start of the film. Its complex, hectic, and really gets you into the mindset of Jamie.

Performer. Cassidy Freeman plays Jamie’s sister and the owner of the local roller rink and she is excellent. She is curt and real, but still funny, a wonderful counterbalance to Jamie.

Tender and sweet, but a bit of a miss.