The new British film ‘My Summer Of Love’, directed by Pawel Pawlikowski, is a romantic drama set in a village in Yorkshire over a summer vacation. The main character is Mona, a working class tomboy type who is going through a difficult time. She lives with her older brother Phil who she is close to. He has come back from a stint in prison a religious nut, and she can’t cope with his moralistic ways.
Mona befriends Tasmin, a charismatic, petulant, wayward girl who comes from a wealthy but emotionally family. She is deeply drawn to Tasmin, and their friendship turns into an all consuming romance. It soon becomes apparent that Mona is serious about her emotions and Tasmin is loose with them.
‘Summer of Love’ poignantly played out an experience that many of have been though. That is, to fall deeply in love with a partner whose feelings are not as genuine as our own, and to then have to make the call.
Director Pawlikowski’s direction was sure, as were the lead performances. Natalie Press was a gritty Mona, Emily Blunt’s Tasmin was dreamy and self indulgent, and Paddy Condisine played the born again Phil with a genuine edginess.