Gravitas Add Some Topspin to Tully’s “Ping Pong Summer”

Following in the footsteps of Infinitely Polar Bear and what should be a slew of post-fest “Sundance film” deals, Michael Tully’s crowd-pleaser ode to the 80’s has been picked up by Gravitas for theatrical/digital release and is logically being positioned for the months where sand castles, tonsil hockey, ice-cream headaches and first loves are aplenty. Millennium Ent. will handle the release of Ping Pong Summer on home vid.

Gist: Based on Tully’s own childhood experiences, this centers on an awkward teen who attempts to become a master breakdancer, ping pong player and ladies man all before the end of a summer break in 1985.

Worth Noting: Ping Pong Summer will have preemed at three of the four important first quarter film fests: Sundance, Rotterdam and SXSW.

Do We Care?: Stylistically a 180 degree turn from his previous film, Tully pulls off an equal balance between sweet-naturedness and funny bone kitschiness. Visually, atmospherically and tonally PPS sports an impressive down to a tee feel for the 80s –  getting the look, feel and sentiment of the era by dressing the film and directing its players in ghetto blaster/Pac-Man/vinyl pants palette splendor.