The Summer I Turned Pretty: Lola Tung’s raw performance elevates the messy love triangle

The moment Lola Tung’s Belly Conklin steps onto the beach in that iconic red swimsuit, The Summer I Turned Pretty announces its central preoccupation: the messy, transformative power of first love. Based on Jenny Han’s novel trilogy and adapted for Amazon Prime Video by Han and Gabrielle Stanton, this coming-of-age drama dives headfirst into the turbulent waters of adolescence, family bonds, and romantic entanglements. It’s a series that wears its heart on its sleeve, offering a tender yet unflinching look at the bittersweet transition from childhood to adulthood.

The series follows Belly Conklin, a 16-year-old who spends her summers at the Fishers’ beach house in Cousins. This year, however, is different—Belly is no longer the little girl she once was, and her relationships with the Fisher brothers, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), shift into uncharted territory. The love triangle that ensues is the heart of the story, but it’s the emotional nuance in Tung’s performance that makes Belly’s journey resonate. Her portrayal captures the awkwardness, longing, and vulnerability of a teenager navigating first crushes and heartbreaks with a raw authenticity.

Tung’s performance is the anchor of the series, grounding what could easily be a saccharine teen drama in emotional truth. She brings a palpable sense of innocence and curiosity to Belly, making her relatable even as she stumbles through the complexities of young love. Briney and Casalegno also deliver strong performances, each bringing a distinct energy to their roles. Briney’s Conrad is brooding and introspective, while Casalegno’s Jeremiah is more openly affectionate and playful. The chemistry between Tung and Briney is particularly compelling, their scenes together brimming with unspoken tension and emotional depth.

The series excels in its tender moments—quiet conversations under the stars, shared glances over bonfires, and the bittersweet realization that some bonds are forever altered by time. These scenes are where The Summer I Turned Pretty shines, offering a poignant exploration of the fleeting nature of youth and the enduring power of first love. The show’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor and heartache, finding beauty in the mundane moments of teenage life.

However, The Summer I Turned Pretty isn’t without its flaws. The pacing in the first season can feel uneven at times, with some episodes struggling to maintain momentum. The love triangle, while engaging, occasionally veers into predictable territory, and the series sometimes leans too heavily on familiar tropes of teen drama. Additionally, the secondary characters, such as Belly’s brother Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Conrad’s father Adam (Tom Everett Scott), often feel underdeveloped, their storylines sidelined in favor of the central romance.

The series also grapples with themes of grief, loss, and the passage of time, particularly through Susannah Fisher’s battle with cancer. These moments add emotional weight to the narrative but are sometimes overshadowed by the more frivolous aspects of teen life. The show’s strength lies in its ability to balance humor and heartache, though it occasionally stumbles in finding the right tone.

Visually, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a feast for the senses. The beach house setting is beautifully captured, with sun-drenched scenes that evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The cinematography is lush and inviting, making Cousins Beach feel like a character in its own right. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of indie and pop hits, complements the emotional beats of the story perfectly.

The series also benefits from its multigenerational appeal. While it’s primarily a coming-of-age story for Belly, it also explores the complexities of adult relationships, particularly through the lens of Susannah and Laurel’s friendship. Jackie Chung as Laurel and Rachel Blanchard as Susannah bring depth and warmth to their roles, making their bond one of the most compelling aspects of the series.

In comparison to other coming-of-age dramas, The Summer I Turned Pretty stands out for its focus on female friendships and family dynamics. While it shares some similarities with shows like Gossip Girl and The OC, it carves out its own niche by centering on the intimate, often overlooked moments of teenage life. The series is a love letter to summer, capturing the magic and melancholy of those fleeting months when everything seems possible.

Ultimately, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a series that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the thrill and heartache of first love. It’s a coming-of-age story that doesn’t shy away from the messy, painful, and beautiful aspects of growing up.