Almost Summer (1978) Spoiler-Free Summary – What It's About

In the sun‑soaked suburbs of a California beach town, the senior class at a bustling high school prepares for the most talked‑about event of the year: the student‑body presidential election. The season’s heat mirrors the rising tension as students trade campaign flyers on the boardwalk and whisper about who will wear the power‑laced sash. Beneath the laid‑back surf culture, a competitive undercurrent pulses, promising a mix of teenage drama, humor, and the earnest quest for recognition.

Bobby DeVito is the unofficial king‑maker of the race, a sharp‑tongued junior who has already staked his reputation on the candidacy of his friend Grant Michelson. With a keen eye on the competition, he watches the charismatic and confident Christine Alexander, who flirts openly with senior class president Kevin Hawkins. Bobby’s world is further complicated by his close‑knit bond with his sister Donna, whose own teenage hopes and crushes add a personal stake to the political fray, and his loyal sidekick Dean Hampton, who balances his own ambitions with a budding romance.

When the campaign field unexpectedly narrows, Bobby’s attention shifts to the unassuming Darryl Fitzgerald, a quiet junior whose shy demeanor masks a hidden affection for Christine. The prospect of an underdog stepping into the spotlight intrigues Bobby, while Donna silently roots for the same newcomer, seeing in him a chance for something fresh. Across the hallway, Dean navigates the fickle world of aspiring singers and dates that could either solidify or crumble his own future, underscored by his relationship with the talented Nicole.

The film captures the bright‑lit corridors of high‑school life, where friendships are tested, ambitions flare, and the promise of summer hangs just out of reach. With a tone that swings between lighthearted banter and the earnest struggle for identity, the story invites viewers to wonder how far a group of teenagers will go to claim a title that feels far bigger than a simple school office.