Summer '03

Sixteen year old Jamie Winkle is trying to squeeze the most out of a summer she hopes will feel new and true. When her practical grandmother shares a final volley of secrets on her deathbed, the whole extended family reels, and the air between them shifts. Jamie watches adults squabble, forgive, and reveal holes in their own stories, then decides to chart her own path. With nerves on fire and a quick wit at the ready, she explores crushes, friendships, and what it means to own your sexuality in a world that usually labels and limits. The canvas is sunny and familiar yet edged with honesty about growing up and finding where you belong.

Becca Gleason directs this 2018 coming of age comedy from an original screenplay. The film stars Joey King as Jamie and Jack Kilmer as Luke, with Andrea Savage and Paul Scheer adding sharp supporting turns. It fits squarely in the teen romance lane while staying grounded in character and family dynamics. Drawing on light humor and frank moments, Gleason crafts a sense of place that mirrors Jamie's growing confidence.

Box office data for Summer '03' isn't widely publicized because of its limited release and indie status. The film did not make headlines with blockbuster grosses and earned modest sums typical for small scale releases.

Critics describe a breezy mood that blends humor with earnest moments. The movie investigates adolescence and sexual curiosity through Jamie's perspective, while the surrounding family offers warmth and chaos, making the summer feel like a turning point as well as a sign of independence.

Cultural impact remains modest, important mostly to fans of indie romance and to viewers who followed Gleason's early work. There are a few memorable moments for those who see the film, but it has not sparked a broad cultural conversation.