Echoes of a Summer (1976)

Powerful

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

A Major Disappointment

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

A little girl (age 11), suffers from heart trouble that her parents know could end her life. Heading towards the beautiful province of Nova Scotia for her final days, they try to make the last of her life as enjoyable as possible.Not only was the Nova Scotian scenery beautiful, the story itself was too; it's incredibly tragic and melancholy but shows how you can make the most out of things at even the most horrible of times.Jodie Foster acted in one of my favorite films that year, The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (also filmed in Canada but on the horror side rather than drama), and she was just as good in this role, playing Deirdre, as she was playing the murderess Rynn Jacobs. Even similar movies like Never Let Me Go(2010) and Paperhouse (1988) are lacking something compared to this one. With its great acting, memorable soundtrack, beautiful scenery and original plot, Echoes of a Summer is one movie that really stands out.

I have never seen this before until today. The acting was tremendous...I don't know if it is because I have a daughter the same age as Jodi Foster's character or because I am so emotional about my child's future.....but this was a great reminder of how to live life to the fullest and to really treasure every moment you have with your kids...no matter how good or how bad.My daughter was born with health issues and thank God that things worked out for the best. She had an injury at 5 that almost caused her to be paralyzed. I guess I was in a sad state when I saw this but it is truly a good movie. A dad that would do anything to make his girl happy. That dad is me and I love my daughter more than anything.

Since it's been a long time since I saw the movie, and since I have searched for several years for it I would have to give it a 10. Since I have remembered only how it made me feel; what a wonderful, warm sense I got at that young age that has lasted, to make me want to; no, really, crave to see this movie again. I couldn't remember the actors. All I could remember was the little girl was dying and the love between her and her father was so beautiful and there was a sand castle. Tonight I decided that I had to find the movie and I did a search and remembered the name Richard. I found it. And my goodness, Richard Harris and Jodie Foster - two of my very, very favorite actors and what a wonderful job they did. I could see them. I don't know why I couldn't recognize them. I would recommend this movie to everyone. I will be getting it (finally) and won't let it out of my sight. Enjoy!

When Jodie Foster-admirers discuss her long career, this title usually gets left out. It's a simple, sentimental story of an ill young girl and the effects her strength and will has on the people around her. Richard Harris is a bit heavy as her father (and I could have done without his non-singing over the credits: "Deeer-draaah!"), but Foster makes the most of her scenes, particularly with William Windom as a doctor surprised by her maturity and Brad Savage as a local boy who's curious about sex (they hold hands and lie together on the beach in a stunningly delicate moment). Based on the flop Broadway play "Isle of Children", which starred a post-"Miracle Worker" Patty Duke, the movie gets a little hectic in its final stages as the filmmakers try to wrap up the story with a birthday party sequence I didn't much care for. Still worth-seeing for Foster, luminous at eleven years and holding this picture together. **1/2 from ****