Jump to content

Winter Spring Summer or Fall

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by M.Billoo2000 (talk | contribs) at 21:19, 25 May 2025 (→Production: Perspective. The references are subjective to Tiffany Paulsen.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Winter Spring Summer or Fall
Release poster
Directed byTiffany Paulsen
Screenplay byDan Schoffer
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyGraham Robbins
Edited bySimon Davidson
Music byZac Rae
Production
companies
Distributed by
Release dates
  • June 6, 2024 (2024-06-06) (Tribeca Festival)
  • April 25, 2025 (2025-04-25) (United States)
Running time
97 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Winter Spring Summer or Fall is an American 2024 romantic drama film directed by Tiffany Paulsen from a screenplay by Dan Schoffer. Starring Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White in leading roles, the story follows four segments in different seasons, showing two teenagers who fall in love over four days in a year.

Filming took place in late-2022 in Salt Lake City after about two years of development. The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 6, 2024, and was released digitally on April 25, 2025.

Plot

One winter day, Barnes Hawthorne is sitting on the roof of his friend PJ's house smoking weed when he notices a girl across the street. PJ identifies her as Remi Aguilar, who has just finished a college admissions interview. Barnes is intrigued, but PJ admits he doesn't know her that well. Later, on his way to a concert in New York, Barnes sees Remi again at the train station as she prepares to tour Columbia University. They strike up a conversation on the train about The Talking Heads and their future plans. Remi hopes to attend Harvard University to become a lawyer, while Barnes plans to take a gap year without any specific goals. Remi offers suggestions for how he might spend his time, such as volunteering with sea turtles in Costa Rica. When they reach their stop, Barnes asks her out on a date, but before she can respond, she's struck by a cyclist and needs stitches. At the hospital, Remi gently declines the date, explaining that Barnes isn't the kind of person she wants to let into her life at the moment.

In the spring, Remi contemplates taking a gap year volunteering with sea turtles in Costa Rica instead of attending Harvard. Her parents then enter her room and give her an unsolicited sex talk since it's the day of prom, despite her insistence that she and her prom date are just friends. Her mother hands her a few condoms just in case. Elsewhere, at the Hawthorne residence, Barnes asks his mother if he can borrow the car to take his ex-girlfriend, Erica, to her prom after she recently broke up with her boyfriend. On the way to prom, Remi's date sees the condoms in her purse and assumes she intends to sleep with him. When she clarifies that she does not, he calls her a snob. At the prom, Remi finds PJ to get a joint. She sees Barnes, and they discover that Erica only invited him to make her ex jealous. Barnes and Remi dance to "Burning Down the House", but when a slow song comes on, Barnes suggests they should leave and get sushi.

During dinner, Barnes is revealed to be fluent in Japanese, having lived in Japan until age 11 while his mother was stationed there as an Army medic. He also says that he's considering volunteering in Costa Rica, inspired by Remi's earlier suggestion. Afterward, he takes Remi to his house. When she expresses concern that he may be expecting something, Barnes assures her he has no such intentions. They sit on the floor and smoke the joint Remi got from PJ. Barnes admits he only agreed to be Erica's date in hopes of seeing Remi at the prom. They kiss, but Remi reminds him she's leaving for Harvard in four months, so nothing can happen between them. Undeterred, the two make tentative plans to stay together for the summer.

On July 4th, Remi, Barnes, and PJ sit on PJ's roof watching Remi's dad paint their house crimson in honor of Remi going to Harvard. Unbeknownst to her parents, Remi plans on volunteering in Costa Rica with Barnes instead. Barnes encourages Remi that they tell her parents. When she does, they react poorly, saying she's throwing away her future, and they blame Barnes and try and talk her out of it. When she insists on going, they ground her, but Remi brushes them off and leaves with Barnes and PJ to a lake house party to celebrate the 4th of July. After drinking too much, she crashes PJ's jeep into a mailbox and fountain while attempting to drive to the store. She and Barnes argue by the lake, ultimately breaking up.

In the fall, Remi is attending Harvard when she sees an Instagram post indicating Barnes is also in Boston. He's working as an assistant to a record label VP and touring with a band. They reconnect on campus and catch up. Though they both admit they miss each other, they both agree that their breakup may have been for the best. Remi invites him to a Halloween party, but he has a concert that night. Encouraged by her friends, Remi decides to express her true feelings. She sneaks into the concert venue, chased by security, but Barnes vouches for her. She confesses she still has feelings for him and asks if they can try again despite knowing it'll be challenging. Barnes gently turns her down, saying they're better off as friends. Remi respects his decision and leaves in tears.

Later, on the tour bus, the band encourages Barnes to confront his own feelings. After sharing his feelings for Remi, Barnes realizes he made a mistake in turning her down. The band helps Barnes by serenading Remi outside her dorm. Remi peers out her window, speechless, before coming outside. She and Barnes share unspoken glances before reuniting with a kiss.

Cast

  • Jenna Ortega as Remi Aguilar
  • Percy Hynes White as Barnes Hawthorne
  • Marisol Nichols as Carmen, Remi's mother
  • Elias Kacavas as PJ
  • Adam Rodriguez as Javier, Remi's father
  • Jacqueline Emerson as Robyn
  • Evangeline Barrosse as Evangeline
  • Kate Rachesky as Wendy
  • Alexis Zollicoffer as Sheryl
  • Garet Allen as Dean
  • Larkin Bell as Saira
  • Corynn Treadwell as Ashley Middleton
  • Kylee Anderson as Erica Morris
  • Langi Tuifua as Connor Frisk
  • Joey Miyashima as Kenji
  • Wendy Joseph as Kate
  • Ahaise as Wade
  • Bridget Oberlin as Stevie, Barnes' mother
  • Terran Lowe as Lucas
  • BZ Collins as Bouncer
  • Michael Turner as Bassist
  • Cameron Foremaster as Guitarist
  • Brianna Wendorf as Drummer
  • Mark Provencher as Mr. Provencher

Production

Ortega (left) and Hynes (right) appeared as teenage lovers; the two also starred in Netflix series Wednesday (2022) while they were filming for the Winter Spring Summer or Fall.[2][3]

After she had done Holidate in 2020, Tiffany Paulsen reveived an early version of the script by Dan Schoffer, through the co-producer Josh Shader. They collaborated to finalize the script, and Paulsen took the charge to direct her first film. She cast Jenna Ortega in her first romantic role just before the latter went on to film Wednesday in September 2021.[4][2]

After about two years of pre-production, the principal photography began on Halloween, in October 2022, at Salt Lake City, Utah, with Percy Hynes White joining opposite Ortega in lead; latter reportedly also served as an executive producer.[2][5][6][7] Meanwhile, the cast was given a three-week break to cover promotional events for their then-upcoming series Wednesday, which later became the second most-watched series on the platform.[8][9][3]

Over the time, Motion Picture Corporation of America revealed to the Deadline Hollywood that Marisol Nichols and Adam Rodriguez were cast as Ortega's character's parents.[10][11] Evangeline Barrosse was cast to perform her original songs.[12] The film is set in the East Coast of the United States and depicts one day each from four seasons; winter, spring, summer, and fall, so the set and the wardrobe had to be designed accordingly despite being filmed in winter season with limited sunny days.[2][13]

After the filming wrapped up, the post-production phase started in January 2023, but the release was shelved. The film is said to be inspired by Richard Linklater's Before Sunrise. Graham Robbins served as the cinematographer, and Zac Rae has composed the film score.[2][14][15][16]

Release

The film premiered at the 23rd Tribeca Festival on June 6, 2024.[17][18] It was released digitally by Paramount Pictures on April 25, 2025, and also had a limited theatrical release.[15][19]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 36% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.5/10.[20]

Lovia Gyarkye praised the director while writing for The Hollywood Reporter, saying that she has an "intuitive sense" of making one blush by capturing close-ups of "the longing gazes" and "subtle touches" between the lead pair.[1] Belen Edwards commented for Mashable that this "Wednesday reunion is anything but charming" as their "romance feels more like horror".[21] Writing for Next Best Picture, Lauren LaMagna praised it as a "unique coming-of-age story", which is both "heartwarming and heartbreaking" and "captures the essence of first love".[22] Will Bjarnar commented for InSession Film that the film "is hardly ever convincing, let alone natural".[23] For Paste, Jesse Hassenger called it "more than a little cheap-looking" movie, which is "full of heartfelt contrivances".[24]

References

  1. ^ a b Lovia Gyarkye (June 7, 2024). "'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' Review: Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White Anchor a Feathery Romance". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e Karen Benardello (June 16, 2024). "Tribeca/Winter Spring Summer or Fall: Interview with Director". Cinema Daily US. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Hilary Lewis (June 19, 2024). "'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' Director on Helming Her First Movie With Jenna Ortega, Percy Hynes White Amid 'Wednesday' Frenzy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 23, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  4. ^ Bradley (September 13, 2021). "Tim Burton's 'Wednesday' Series Officially Begins Filming at Netflix [Exclusive]". Midgard Times. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Tim Lammers (June 5, 2024). "Director On Magic Of Jenna Ortega In New Movie With 'Wednesday' Co-Star". Forbes. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  6. ^ Katie Louise Smith (December 9, 2022). "Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White are playing love interests in a new romcom". Capital FM. Archived from the original on November 10, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  7. ^ Justin Kroll (December 15, 2022). "Jenna Ortega & Her 'Wednesday' Co-Star Percy Hynes White Reunite On Tiffany Paulsen's Directorial Debut 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  8. ^ Adam Bentz (June 20, 2023). "Wednesday Finally Beats Stranger Things On Netflix's Most Popular Shows Chart (With A Twist) 4". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  9. ^ Ethan Shanfeld (January 14, 2025). "'Squid Game 2' Becomes Netflix's Third Most-Watched Season Ever, After 'Squid Game 1' and 'Wednesday'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 1, 2025. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  10. ^ Justin Kroll (December 16, 2022). "Adam Rodriguez Joins Jenna Ortega In 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 28, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  11. ^ Matt Grobar (February 17, 2023). "Marisol Nichols Joins Jenna Ortega In Romantic Drama 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 8, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Sophia June (March 14, 2023). "Meet Evangeline, The Indie Musician About To Star Alongside Jenna Ortega". Nylon. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  13. ^ Owen Danoff (June 7, 2024). "Winter Spring Summer Or Fall Director Tiffany Paulsen On Jenna Ortega's First Romance". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  14. ^ Tim Lammers (June 5, 2024). "Percy Hynes White Director: 'I Look Forward To Working With Him Again'". Forbes. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  15. ^ a b Alex West (April 15, 2025). "Little-known Jenna Ortega 2024 movie finally gets release date after controversy". The Mirror US. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  16. ^ Winter Spring Summer or Fall (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) on iTunes. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  17. ^ Hilary Lewis (April 17, 2024). "Tribeca Festival 2024 to Feature Jenna Ortega, Kristen Stewart and Lily Gladstone Movies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  18. ^ Tim Lammers (May 6, 2024). "Jenna Ortega Movie With 'Wednesday' Co-Star Gets World Premiere Date". Forbes. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Tim Lammers (April 25, 2025). "Jenna Ortega's 'Winter Spring Summer Or Fall' Is New On Streaming - How To Watch". Forbes. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  20. ^ Winter Spring Summer or Fall at Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  21. ^ Belen Edwards (June 7, 2024). "'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' review: Jenna Ortega's romance makes us want to scream". Mashable. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  22. ^ Lauren LaMagna (June 8, 2024). ""Winter Spring Summer or Fall" - Review". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  23. ^ Will Bjarnar (June 12, 2024). "Movie Review (Tribeca 2024): 'Winter Spring Summer or Fall' is an Empty YA Romance". InSession Film. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
  24. ^ Jesse Hassenger (June 17, 2024). "Winter Spring Summer or Fall Review: Jenna Ortega Says Anything". Paste Magazine. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Winter_Spring_Summer_or_Fall&oldid=1292225008"