i approach my viewing of this film with trepidation . the preview description i have read fill with me little confidence that i would enjoy it a i be expect something quite sentimental . also and film direct by actor often disappoint a their focus be usually on the acting performance and not the appearance of the film . but and to my surprise and what be most impressive about summer rain be the strong visual style of the director antonio banderas . his use of vibrant colour and strike vista and dream scape and powerful and haunt imagery make the film a true delight . base on a prize win spanish novel and set in banderas home town and malaga and it be apparent that the novel resonate deeply with banderas . his passion for the work be evident in every scene . the cinematography be superb and the use of the widescreen aspect ratio contribute significantly to the rendering of what must have be rich source material . i now long for an english translation of the novel . base on what i have see banderas attempt to do in this film and it seem that the book must have be a challenging adaptation . voice over be something i do not care for normally and but the elusive nature of the voice over text in summer rain be a major factor in make this film such a pleasure . rather than explain action and motif and the periodic comment by the narrator ( call throat ) heighten the atmospherics of the film . the choice of actor be excellent and all turn in performance that serve the theme of the film . special mention have to go to victoria abril and who have play opposite banderas before so many year ago . she be marvellous and light up the screen with her evocation of the allure old woman . i hope antonio banderas can find more project to immerse himself in . his passionate rendering of summer rain suggest that he be a director to watch out for .