The Amazon Prime Original, The Summer I Turned Pretty featuring many young breakout stars including, Lola Tung (Belly), Christopher Briney (Conrad), Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah) and Sean Kaufman (Steven). The show is based on a book written by Jenny Han.
At the start we are introduced to Cousin’s Beach, a place that holds many memories for Belly, Conrad, Jeremiah, Steven and their parents. We see a montage of the group from when they are little children at Cousin’s transition into teenagers. This summer, it is just the moms and the kids.
From the montage, it is instantly apparent that there is some chemistry between Belly and Conrad. We soon find out that she’s had a crush on him since she was 12. A summer at Cousins is a yearly tradition.
This summer is different. Jeremiah and Stephen will both be working. Conrad is no longer playing football and seems to have a significant negative mood change. And what might be the biggest difference is Belly’s maturity. No more glasses and braces (hence the title of the show).
But some things never change. The boys pick up Belly by her arms and legs taking her for a “belly flop” into the pool. As Conrad helps her out of the pool, she pulls him in and the two share a moment as they lock eyes.
Susannah comments on Belly’s maturity and beauty. She wants Belly to become a debutant as a “coming of age” celebration. Laurel does not think it’s a good idea and Conrad agrees.
That evening, Belly walks out on Conrad who is smoking. She interrogates Conrad on gloominess and just as he is about to reveal something, Steven and Jeremiah whisk him away to a beach bonfire party.
Belly asks if she can join the boys but they scoff, say no and suggest that she stays home and watches a movie with the moms. Belly rebelliously goes against their word, dresses up and sneaks out to the beach party.
She shows up at the party alone and a surprised Steven urges her to leave. Jeremiah is excited to see her until an argument ensues between Belly and Steven causing Belly to stumble and fall. This catches Conrad’s attention and he takes a break from kissing Nicole to notice Belly.
Belly is heart wrenched seeing Conrad with a girl. She goes up to him and makes a few snarky comments until ultimately she walks a little further from the party to sit by herself.
Then, new boy Cam comes up to her. Apparently they know each other from a Latin language competition. The two have a good conversation and Cam invites her out the next day. Before she could give an answer, a fight breaks out between Conrad and another one of the party goers.
Belly tries to interfere but instead gets knocked down and left with a bruise on her eye. The cops come and the group scams. The kids head back to the car but before Belly leaves with the boys she agrees to go out with Cam. They share a kiss in the car while the boys sit there waiting to leave.
Conrad, who has had one too many drinks, strokes Belly’s hair pointing out how it’s messy like a kid’s.
After reflecting on the night, Belly decides to go to the Debutante Ball. The next morning she heads out to meet Cam.
