This is a well done clever mind f*** of a film where good actors acting like they are pretending that they are not acting makes for a jarring tense and slightly perplexing climax. Suddenly you doubt everything you've seen and experienced just like Mona does.There are only three main actors in this movie and honestly you don't even realize it because of the phenomenal jobs they all do, especially Blunt who pulls off being both deceptive and genuine at the same time (sometimes in the same scene!) and Press who blew me away completely by conveying her emotions and feelings generally with such subtlety (simple looks, body language, etc.) that you didn't need any lines at all at times to know exactly where she was emotionally. And Pawlikowski's magical visual story telling approach creates a movie that's beautiful to watch and whose emotions seep through to the audience through the images themselves.The relationship dynamic between Mona and Tamsin is well conceived. We get a real feeling for how perfect they seem for each other, filling voids that they both have been craving and rejoicing in being partners in crime and taking petty vengeance on the cruel world. In short, they seem to find meaning in each other. Add Mona's born again brother to the mix for Tamsin to play against and you have a fascinating powder keg triangle of desperation and deception (both internal and external) all set to explode at Tamsin's whim. And in the end we feel as much the fool as Mona must. Embarrassed and inadequate and spurned and reeling with confusion. That's the interesting thing about this movie, it really allows you to act as the surrogate for Mona in all her angry petulance and throbbing desperation for love and appreciation. You aren't just watching something unfold, you are actually walking in her shoes, feeling her feelings. And that says something extraordinary about both the actor and the presentation of the film itself. Everything that happens to Mona happens to the audience. And for a time it seems it's the same for Tamsin who seems to have an equally aching need for closeness and appreciation and mutual contemptuous defiance of the unfair world.But nothing is ever as it seems… Whether we orchestrate it as a great deception or we deceive ourselves through denial of our true nature.

This movie really held my attention. I almost felt as if I was a part of it because of how emotionally involved it made me. The scenery was beautiful and the music bizarre and trippy. Tamsin was a very cultured character and her confidence (in the beginning) is very appealing. Later on though, you just start to wonder if she is hungry for attention because of insecurity. I give this a 9 and not a 10 because the ending where Mona tries to drown Tamsin was disappointing to me...but it did leave us all with a sense of confusion which I think makes the movie more interesting all in all. Definitely worth watching

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.

My Summer of Love is what I love most in good cinema: A film about people and their emotions. Natalie Press is beautifully down to earth and the raw emotions she experiences during this film are so well portrayed. Emily Blunt plays her role to perfection, too, with a cold passion that is almost sociopathic.It's vignette of young love, of the passions, the joys and, of course, the dangers. It's also very real, especially thanks to Press's strong performance which is captivating to say the least.This is a lovely film. It's raw, real and passionate and whilst it's small in scope at first glance, it's more than enough to make this a very enjoyable film.