Review of "My Summer of Love"
MY SUMMER OF LOVE (2004)
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Written by Pawel Pawlikowski and Michael Wynne, based on a novel by Helen Cross
Starring Natalie Press, Emily Blunt and Paddy Considine
This bleak British romantic drama is set over the course of a Summer in a small village in the north of England, where unhappy, working-class teenager Mona (Press), lives with her brother Phil (Considine), an ex-con and now born again Christian, who has turned the pub above which they live into a spiritual centre, and intends to erect a giant cross on the hill overlooking the village in order to "expunge evil" from the valley. While out riding her moped, which doesn't have an engine, Mona meets wealthy, cynical teenager Tamsin (Blunt). Both searching for some kind of an escape from the dullness and emptiness of their daily lives, the two girls quickly become friends and soon become romantically involved with each other. However their intense relationship quickly comes under threat.
This film is beautifully photographed and very artfully made, with lots of lingering static shots of grass blowing in the wind and the outsides of buildings. It is also very well-acted with great performances by the two leads. Paddy Considine lends a real sense of danger as the born again ex-con, who has the ability to project a strong sense of impending violence even when he isn't doing anything. However the film, which only runs for 86 minutes, is still slow moving, without much momentum to the plot. At it's best, the film does create a strong dreamlike atmosphere, but it is quite a depressing experience.
Seven out of ten.
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Written by Pawel Pawlikowski and Michael Wynne, based on a novel by Helen Cross
Starring Natalie Press, Emily Blunt and Paddy Considine
This bleak British romantic drama is set over the course of a Summer in a small village in the north of England, where unhappy, working-class teenager Mona (Press), lives with her brother Phil (Considine), an ex-con and now born again Christian, who has turned the pub above which they live into a spiritual centre, and intends to erect a giant cross on the hill overlooking the village in order to "expunge evil" from the valley. While out riding her moped, which doesn't have an engine, Mona meets wealthy, cynical teenager Tamsin (Blunt). Both searching for some kind of an escape from the dullness and emptiness of their daily lives, the two girls quickly become friends and soon become romantically involved with each other. However their intense relationship quickly comes under threat.
This film is beautifully photographed and very artfully made, with lots of lingering static shots of grass blowing in the wind and the outsides of buildings. It is also very well-acted with great performances by the two leads. Paddy Considine lends a real sense of danger as the born again ex-con, who has the ability to project a strong sense of impending violence even when he isn't doing anything. However the film, which only runs for 86 minutes, is still slow moving, without much momentum to the plot. At it's best, the film does create a strong dreamlike atmosphere, but it is quite a depressing experience.
Seven out of ten.