My Summer of Love
received the Best British Film Award at Edinburgh, as well as a great deal of
critical acclaim. But it's one of those films that you just know isn't going to
end well, and at least for me, that sullen feeling puts a damper on my viewing
experience. We need more happy lesbian endings, dang it! Some will still
want to view this movie, especially for the wonderful performances by the two
leads. Mona (Nathalie Press) and Tamsin (Emily Blunt) are two teens in a tiny
Yorkshire town, but with very different lives. Mona lives above a pub with her
recently saved brother (Paddy Considine), in a working class life with little
to look forward to. Tam is a rich girl home from boarding school, riding her horse,
playing the cello, but still bored. They meet and spend a summer enthralled
with one another, becoming lovers and declaring their love for one another. In
particular, Mona's light begins to shine with hope for a future with Tam. When
the summer is over, will Tam give up her privileged life to run off with Mona?
Not likely. I won't spoil the specifics, but no one dies, and Mona is at least
a little happier with herself in the end.
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