gridoon2018
"Boring" should not be the first word to pop into your mind when trying to describe a lesbian coming-of-age drama with a 21-year-old Emily Blunt as one of the leads, but sadly that is the case with "My Summer Of Love". It's not just that "Heavenly Creatures" did this sort of thing much better a decade earlier; I also saw another movie recently, "Trap For Cinderella" (2013), which also does a better job of presenting a similar relationship. The main problem may be that Natalie Press' character is not very appealing, while Emily Blunt's character is not exotic enough. Another problem is the director's occasional pseudo-cinema-veritè style, with amateurish-looking camera zoom-ins and -outs. There IS a surprise at the end, however, for those who stick with the movie. And Emily Blunt, in one of her first roles, is captivating; no offense to Natalie Press, who acts naturally enough, but you can see why Blunt became a big star and Press did not - there is a difference in their screen magnetism levels. ** out of 4.
Enrique Rivero
I have to preface by saying that I only got partway through it. The constant smoking was unnecessary. I got tired of looking at the girls smoke. I personally find smoking disgusting, so it ruined the movie for me. I kept hoping they would stop, but when they kept lighting up I gave up. That is really all I have to say about it, but since the minimum length of a review is 10 lines of text, I will continue. I also did not like the brother's religiosity. Religion is obsolete and I really wish that humanity would move beyond it. The scenery was nice to look at. It was well photographed. If you can tolerate smoking and religion, then you might like this. It was interesting to see the relationship between the girls develop because they are very similar in some ways and very different in other ways.
rogerdarlington
It took me eight years to catch up with this small, independent British film released in 2004. I was attracted to it by the subsequent success in both the UK and the USA of Emily Blunt who plays Tamsin, a free-spirited middle-class girl on summer holiday from boarding school. Her co-star is Natalie Press as working-class Yorkshire girl Mona, an actress who has had none of Blunt's subsequent fame but largely confined her roles to British television. The only other character of consequence in what is very much a two-hander is Mona's brother (Paddy Considine) who has suddenly found God in a big way, making him totally opposed to the unlikely friendship and then love between the two young girls.This erotic tale of manipulation and deception - loosely based on a novel by Helen Cross - was both directed and co-written by Paweł Pawlikowski about whom we have heard surprisingly little since. In retrospect, it can be seen as a minor gem that launched the increasingly stellar career of Emily Blunt
Galina
My Summer of Love (2004) is an independent British film directed by Pawel Pawlikovski which tells about two 16-year-old girls from different worlds, social groups and interests, who met one warm and sunny summer (and this happens in England) in idyllic rural Yorkshire. Mona (Natalie Press), a redhead with freckles lives in a small provincial town, comes from a working family, rides a scooter with no motor and lives with her older brother Phil (Paddy Considine - as always convincing and pleasure to watch, although his role is rather thankless and the least interesting). Phil recently returned from prison, where he became a Born Again Christian. Upon his return, Phil rebuilt the pub, which he and Mona inherited from their mother into a house of worship. Natalie Press is simply delightful as Mona. She is impulsive, trusting, cynical and lonely, tired and bored with poverty and dead end existence. She is not well educated but is observant and has no illusions regarding what future has in store for her. After this role, Press continues to appear in British independent films; the most notable and interesting of all - "Night Watch" (2008) by Peter Greenaway. The second girl, Tamsin - thin, slim, dark-haired student of the prestigious private school, where she had a negative impact on classmates, is the daughter of wealthy parents who are never home. She is well-read, speaks the proper literary language, adores Edith Piaf and cites the well-known philosophers. She is ironic and terribly bored in her parents' suburban castle, where she spends the summer. One day while riding the horse, she meets a funny freckled girl with unruly mane of red hair. Emily Blunt was 21 when she played 16 years old charming manipulator Tamsin. In two years after My Summer of Love, Blunt practically stole all her scenes in the blockbuster "The Devil Wears Prada" from Hollywood more famous actress Anne Hathaway. The role of Tamsin did not make Emily Blunt an overnight star but it without doubt signaled of her promising future in acting. As different as they are, Tamsin and Mona shared one thing - loneliness, and they become fast friends with Mona staying overnight at Tamsin's house and spending all days together. The relationship progressed from the mutual interest to friendship to the intimacy when the girls become un-separated and sexually attracted to each other. Soon they promised never ever separate and be always together. It seemed that summer and their love would never end but as it is often the case, one loves without reservation truly and deeply, and the other takes the love and devotion for granted. I read some comments from the viewers rather disappointed with the ending. I personally found it quite logical and the only possible resolution or the Summer of Love. The film is short and lasts less than one and a half hours but during this time we have an opportunity to learn about heroines, to understand their motivations, longings and the reasons behind their actions. My Summer of Love is an interesting psychological drama, which explores the yearning of young souls and bodies, their desires and interests, and sadly concludes that after summer always comes autumn, time to return to the decadent temptations of a big city and to the boredom of provincial stalemate existence. Love, or however you would call the strong and mutual attraction that brought the girls together, would be replaced by bitter disappointment and shattered dreams. According to many interviews with the film writer/director, Pawel Pawlikowski, he did not try to make a film about typical teenage life in England, he wanted to give it a certain "timeless feeling". I think he succeeded in his intentions. The film takes place in Yorkshire, England in the 80s or was it the 70s? There are no computers, cell phones or iPods in sight, so, this story could happen any time at any place. It is honest, convincing, and engrossing. Both young actresses deserved and shared an Evening Standard British Film award for Most Promising Newcomer. BAFTA awarded the film with Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film in 2005.
