END OF SUMMER

The End of Summer reaches back in time to remind us that even our decorous Victorian forebears were adept at seduction and passionate in pursuit of love.

Christine Van Buren, (Jacqueline Bisset), a repressed and aristocratic artist on her annual retreat to Saratoga in the summer of 1897, encounters wealthy Western railroad tycoon, Theo Remington (Peter Weller), whom she had met years before. There is an instant attraction between them, but Christine, being a proper woman of her time, rejects Theo’s kiss. She shortly begins to regret the rebuff, however.

When she is called to New York on a family matter, her 18-year-old ward for the summer, beautiful Alice Anderson (Amy Locane) and Theo become romantically involved. On her return to Saratoga, disturbed at this development, Christine focuses her energies on helping young, ambitious Reverend Basil March (Julian Sands), who seeks money to build a cathedral in New York and enter society. When a young housemaid becomes pregnant with his child, Basil, fearing ruin of his prospects in the church and society, refuses to marry her. She attempts to drown herself, and is rescued by Theo, who arranges for her to begin life elsewhere as a “widow.”

In a riding accident, Theo is knocked unconscious. Alice cannot cope, and it is Christine who sits at his bedside until he is out of danger. When he recovers, the rail magnate parts with Christine and goes West again.

Five years pass before Theo returns to New York to look for investors and they meet once more. Theo tells Christine of his love. And, finally, she is able to open her heart and forgive the events of the past. The two come together at last.