Watch Days of the Bagnold Summer

Days of the Bagnold Summer is a heartwarming coming-of-age drama that follows an unlikely bond between a mother and son during a seemingly endless summer. The film begins with Sue Bagnold (Monica Dolan), a librarian and single mother, eagerly looking forward to a two-week holiday with her heavy metal-loving boyfriend Douglas (Rob Brydon). However, her plans are quickly crushed when her 15-year-old son Daniel (Earl Cave) announces that he no longer wants to go to his father's house in Florida and instead wants to spend the summer at home.

This leaves Sue feeling disappointed and frustrated, as she had looked forward to some time away from home after struggling to connect with her moody and indifferent son. However, she decides to make the best of the situation, and as the two begin their summer at home, Sue attempts to bond with Daniel by going on walks, visiting museums, and inviting his friends over for dinner.

At first, Daniel resists these attempts at bonding, preferring to spend his days listening to heavy metal music and hanging out with his friend Ky (Elliot Speller-Gillott), who is more interested in making fun of Sue than making conversation. But as the days go by, the two begin to open up to each other and develop a deeper understanding of one another.

Sue comes to see that her son is not just an angsty teenager but a young man with hopes and dreams of his own, and Daniel realizes that his mother is not just a nagging authority figure but an interesting and caring person. The two share moments of laughter, tears, and frustration but ultimately grow closer as they navigate their way through this summer of discovery.

What sets Days of the Bagnold Summer apart is its genuine portrayal of a mother-son relationship. The film does not shy away from the awkwardness and miscommunications that often occur between parents and teenagers, but it also shows the importance of patience and understanding in bridging that gap.

Monica Dolan delivers an impressive performance as Sue, capturing both the complexities and vulnerabilities of a single mother trying her best to connect with her son. Earl Cave, son of musician Nick Cave, shines in his first leading role, portraying Daniel with a perfect mix of teenage angst and tenderness.

The film also boasts an excellent soundtrack, featuring a mix of heavy metal classics and indie tracks that perfectly capture the summery vibe of the film.

Days of the Bagnold Summer was directed by Simon Bird, best known for his roles in the comedy series The Inbetweeners and Friday Night Dinner. The film is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Joff Winterhart and was adapted for the screen by Lisa Owens.

Overall, Days of the Bagnold Summer is a charming and heartfelt film that highlights the importance of family and connection. It is a must-watch for anyone who has ever felt the awkwardness of a parent-teen relationship or the joy of discovering a deeper connection with someone you thought you knew.

Days of the Bagnold Summer is a 2020 comedy. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 57.