Courtesy of CBS Films
The story of teenagers growing tired of living with their overbearing parents is one that is familiar to many.
For Joe Toy in “The Kings of Summer,” life in suburbia grows unbearable enough that he decides to do something about it.
In the coming-of-age comedy, Joe, played by Nick Robinson, decides that he has reached his limit of living with his unhappy father and heads off into the woods in search of freedom.
Accompanying Joe on his quest for independence is his best friend, Patrick, played by Gabriel Basso, and their quirky new companion, Biaggio, played by Moises Arias.
Together, the trio secretly build a house in the woods of Ohio and fend for themselves by living off the land.
While the tale of angsty teenagers trying to find themselves is one that has been told before, “The Kings of Summer” is a modern day story about growing up that is both equally funny and touching. The film’s director, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, described the movie as ‘Stand By Me’ for a video game generation.
In addition to their quest for independence, the boys experience the joys and challenges of manhood as they hunt and gather for food, grow thin beards, roughing it in the woods and eventually even test their friendship over a girl.
Also appearing in the film is Nick Offerman, who also plays the grumpy Ron Swanson in “Parks and