Watch Stolen Summer

Stolen Summer is a heartwarming and emotional coming-of-age drama that tells the story of an eight-year-old Catholic boy named Pete O'Malley (Adi Stein) who is determined to help a Jewish boy named Danny Jacobsen (Mike Weinberg) find faith amidst the backdrop of a hot and sticky summer in 1970s Chicago. Pete is a devout Catholic who has always been sheltered from the realities of life. He attends a strict Catholic school and his family is well-connected in the church. One day, Pete overhears his father, Joe (Aidan Quinn), a firefighter, talking about how Danny, the son of his colleague Rabbi Jacobsen (Kevin Pollak), has been diagnosed with leukemia and may not have much time left to live. Pete becomes intrigued by the idea of saving Danny by introducing him to Catholicism and converting him to the faith.

Despite the initial hesitation of his family and the disapproval of his strict Catholic schoolteacher, Sister Theresa (Bonnie Hunt), Pete is determined to accomplish his goal. He starts spending more time with Danny and learns about his Jewish culture and faith. Along the way, they both discover that they have a lot in common despite their religious differences. Danny introduces Pete to a world outside of his own community, and Pete starts to see the value of diversity and tolerance.

Meanwhile, Joe struggles to come to terms with the fact that he may lose his friend's son to cancer. He starts to question his own faith and becomes envious of Rabbi Jacobsen's unwavering faith in God even during times of adversity.

Stolen Summer is an emotional movie that explores themes of faith, friendship, and the meaning of life. The film is directed by first-time director and writer Pete Jones, who won a reality show competition called Project Greenlight to have his script produced by Miramax. The film features a talented cast including Kevin Pollak, Aidan Quinn, and Bonnie Hunt. Adi Stein and Mike Weinberg deliver impressive performances as the two young leads, serving as the emotional core of the film.

The film has a nostalgic feel to it, with its 1970s setting and recognizable Chicago locations. The hot and humid weather serves as a symbolic metaphor for the emotional struggles that the characters face, as they grapple with life, death, and the concept of faith.

Overall, Stolen Summer is a touching and thought-provoking movie that will leave viewers questioning their own beliefs and values. The film highlights the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding towards others, regardless of their religion or background.

Stolen Summer is a 2002 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 36.