Tamra Davis, best known for directing classic ’90s comedies like Billy Madison and Half Baked, turns vintage video recordings into a deeply intimate alt-rock concert doc, The Best Summer.
While evacuating during the 2025 Palisades wildfires, Davis discovered an unmistakable gem: video tapes of her time at the 1995/96 edition of the Australian music festival tour, Summersault. So, she compiled various interviews and performances from bands like Beastie Boys, Foo Fighters, Bikini Kill and Pavements into a one-of-a-kind concert doc experience. The Best Summer is geared towards that niche alt-rock fandom in every way. Its home video aesthetic evokes that edgy, off-kilter aura that perfectly aligns with the music and personalities of these artists. There’s a nostalgic mix of deep cuts and noteworthy hits from these influential bands that fans will adore. Even seeing the clothes and hearing the dialogue instantly transports us back to those thrashy corners of the ’90s where this music thrived. The Best Summer is nostalgia in its purest form, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be for everyone.
Obviously, if you really don’t like this genre of music, you’re not going to connect with the film as strongly. Davis really has a vision for what she cuts together: an unfiltered, honest depiction of this crowd and the bands they idolize. With that, there’s no real story direction and no goal it’s outwardly trying to achieve. It’s not a chronicle of Summersault or any of the bands’ journey with side interviews that dig deeper into what’s happening. Instead, The Best Summer simply lives in the moment and acts like a home video compilation that catches up with artists behind the scenes. It’s the type of music doc that’s simply meant to capture people as they are, and that could mean that it struggles to keep your interest after a while. Even with a sub-90 minute runtime, the film needs a bigger hook than its home video feel. It’s such a lax experience that it often has no momentum, and with no real story to drag you along, you can lose your connection as it simply goes through the same motions with different bands.
Yet, even with its aimless nature, there’s something intriguing about The Best Summer that makes it a required watch for music fans. Because of Davis’s personal relationships with these artists, she has a casual feel in her interactions that allows viewers to immerse themselves into this space. You quickly ease into the conversations and gain some interesting insights into these icons. Davis digging into what it means to perform onstage or the line between what’s a persona and what’s real is the genuine meat of the experience. It’s how fans can really see how legends like Dave Grohl and Beck really perceive performing and how it influences the music they create. It’s also cool to get that range of notoriety with who Davis talks to, ranging from the always-influential Beastie Boys to more underground cult faves like Bikini Kill and Pavements. Plus, there are some killer sets played on-screen that let you have that up-close and personal concert experience—especially if you get to see it in a theater. That slightly blurry camera quality and muffled noise make the on-stage moments a true blast from the past that simply can’t be missed.
The Best Summer is that peek behind the curtain that music lovers, especially alt-rock fans of any age, need to flock to ASAP. Davis’s more relaxed approach might not be for everyone, but it allows fans to feel the warmth, personalities and edge of their favorite artists through a vintage lens.
