My Summer of Love is a 2004 British film directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, who co-wrote the script with Michael Wynne and is based on Helen Cross' novel of the same name.
Set in West Yorkshire it deals with themes of love, confusion, belonging and the pernicious affects of lust and enigma. The picture opens by introducing Mona, a forlorn girl who lives with her older brother in a converted pub. Disenchanted by her brothers conversion to Christianity, a development that transpired during his incarceration, she lives day to day with little purpose or aim until a chance meeting with Tamsin. Elegant, capricious and mysterious, Tamsin enters Mona's life like some kind of epiphany. Quickly the pair bond and this fascinating dichotomy of a working class girl and a upper class boarding school rich kid begins to play out. Mona, engrossed by her new friend, is introduced to a world that she has hitherto been unaware of. Tamsin, perhaps due to boredom or whimsy, is equally as charmed and the pair embark on a summer of mischief that includes drinking, smoking, psychodelics and vandalism aided by the use of a garden gnome.
Delicate, dark and beautifully shot, this film tackles it's subject with grace and skill. The director sourced his films leads from an eight month search of Schools, Universities, and theater groups and found two massive talents in Natalie Press - Mona, and Emily Blunt - Tamsin. The role of Mona's brother is played by Paddy Considine, whom Pawlikowski knew from an earlier collaboration. All three of the aforementioned actors give incredible performances. Press and Blunts on screen chemistry is amazing and completely believable and the always excellent Considine gives the role a patented eeriness that simmers below the surface at all times. The script is great and the story arc is gripping, managing all at once be tender and wistful and also arcane and tragic.
An all round high level of production sees this film at a fairly short 86 minutes deliver a superbly crafted work that film enthusiasts should strongly consider. Top stuff.
Set in West Yorkshire it deals with themes of love, confusion, belonging and the pernicious affects of lust and enigma. The picture opens by introducing Mona, a forlorn girl who lives with her older brother in a converted pub. Disenchanted by her brothers conversion to Christianity, a development that transpired during his incarceration, she lives day to day with little purpose or aim until a chance meeting with Tamsin. Elegant, capricious and mysterious, Tamsin enters Mona's life like some kind of epiphany. Quickly the pair bond and this fascinating dichotomy of a working class girl and a upper class boarding school rich kid begins to play out. Mona, engrossed by her new friend, is introduced to a world that she has hitherto been unaware of. Tamsin, perhaps due to boredom or whimsy, is equally as charmed and the pair embark on a summer of mischief that includes drinking, smoking, psychodelics and vandalism aided by the use of a garden gnome.
Delicate, dark and beautifully shot, this film tackles it's subject with grace and skill. The director sourced his films leads from an eight month search of Schools, Universities, and theater groups and found two massive talents in Natalie Press - Mona, and Emily Blunt - Tamsin. The role of Mona's brother is played by Paddy Considine, whom Pawlikowski knew from an earlier collaboration. All three of the aforementioned actors give incredible performances. Press and Blunts on screen chemistry is amazing and completely believable and the always excellent Considine gives the role a patented eeriness that simmers below the surface at all times. The script is great and the story arc is gripping, managing all at once be tender and wistful and also arcane and tragic.
An all round high level of production sees this film at a fairly short 86 minutes deliver a superbly crafted work that film enthusiasts should strongly consider. Top stuff.