Film Reviews

My Summer of Love

• Rating:
• Director: Pawel Pawlikowski
• Starring: Emily Blunt
• Details: UK/ 86 mins/ (15PG)

Only a few weeks after his chillingly effective performance in Dead Man's Shoes and Paddy Considine continues to forge an enviable reputation with more fine work in Pawel Pawlikowski's intriguing and atmospheric drama, My Summer of Love. Set in the sleepy Yorkshire dales, Mona (the impressive Press) hates her quiet life and the fact that her brother Phil (Considine), a born-again Christian is determined to save as many souls as he can. Thanks to Phil's prayer meetings, Mona comes contact with Tamsin (Blunt), a posh sophisticate who lives in an entirely different world to that of her new friend. Over the course of the summer, as they spend more and more time together, Mona and Tamsin begin to explore the parameters of their affections towards each other.
Though fans of adult movies may disagree quite profoundly, thoughtful films about blossoming female relationships don't always have the greatest pedigree. With My Summer of Love however, the Polish-born director skilfully allows things to develop at an unhurried pace, despite the meagre running time, etching characters and plot with a keen intelligence. This attitude extends to the performances, as Press and Blunt inhabit their characters, giving them a sense of purpose and definition. It could be argued that the twist in the tail, which neatly clears up all loose ends, may be a little too convenient for some audiences, but few could find fault with the emotional depths invested.

Review by Garreth Murphy