Summer Lovers is a romantic comedy unlike any other. It explores open relationships and the complications they present on the backdrop of the dreamy paradise of Santorini, Greece era 1982. The scenery is stunning and authentic for the time.(things like the grape stomping bar had closed by the late 90s). The soundtrack is great and includes the hits by Chicago, The Pointer Sisters.and Tina Turner.
A young American couple of college grads are spending 9 weeks in the Greek isles before beginning their respective professional lives. Cathy Featherstone, an fledgling photographer and Michael Pappas, who is set to take over his father’s business, have been dating for 5 years and known each other since their teens. Their vacation allows them to enjoy nude beaches and explore their sexuality, shaking off responsibilities and parental expectations.
Micheal gets distracted one day by another woman Lina, who is an archaeologist helping to unearth the Akrotiri excavation. (According to the tourist webpage, the site is still open for visits). They end up having sex and overcome by guilt he confesses to Cathy. She, understandably gets upset and yells at him to get it out of his system. She tries to be with someone else, but can’t do it. While Micheal stays out all night at Lina’s. Cathy confronts Lina, who explains that she isn’t looking for a complicated relationship, so she won’t be taking Michael from Cathy. Cathy likes Lina in spite of herself and she begins to be included in the couple’s explorations of the island.
The relationship develops all around, until they are an inseparable threesome. Lina gets worried that if she stays with them it will hurt worse when they leave. And she disappears. The couple search high and low for her for days, finally deciding that if she doesn’t want to be found, they won’t find her. Everything around them reminds them of her and they pack to leave 3 weeks before their lease is up.
Lina meanwhile realizes that she was truly happy with them and heads back, only to find the house empty. She rushes to the airport, they see her just before boarding the plane, and overjoyed celebrate her return.
