Rent My Summer of Love (2004)

Interesting Romance Story - My Summer of Love review by GI

A coming-of-age and sexual awakening tale that involves obsession and passion set during a balmy Yorkshire summer. Mona (Natalie Press) is a bored, lonely teenager who lives with her elder brother Phil (Paddy Considine), a reformed convict who has turned to religion. One day she meets the equally bored but cynical and narcissistic Tamsin (Emily Blunt), a spoiled rich girl who lives in a nearby large manor house. They strike up an unlikely friendship which soon turns sexual. But Mona is unprepared for both the reaction of Phil to this relationship and Tamsin's own agenda. This is a slow burning tale and has a mystical, hazy atmosphere to it as the two young women spend time in the local forests and engage in various antics against those they see as their enemies. There's a tension that builds in the narrative giving the film a sense of a crisis building and certainly the latent violence in Phil is always there simmering away. But the complexity of character especially in Tamsin is the centre of this story and Emily Blunt is superb here in what is her breakout film role. A rather delightful film, a romance but one with some added twists and complexity that is well worth checking out if you've never seen it.

Great film - My Summer of Love review by PM

This beautifully made film has a lot of dimensions to it. I found it funny, thought provoking and thoroughly engaging. I watched it with a small group of people and it created a lot of interesting discussion.

A passionate, dreamy & spiky coming-of-age drama, with a terrific Blunt & Considine - My Summer of Love review by TB

I was first shown this film many many years ago by a lesbian friend of mine, who was discovering her sexuality and loved, among many things, the unashamed boldness & sexuality this film had. This was made well before Brokeback Mountain was released, so was something of a controversial, mini-budget film, but was still extremely well-reviewed & won the Best British film award at the BAFTA's.

Mona lives with her brother Phil in the Yorkshire countryside. Phil was an alcoholic & petty criminal who has found God & poured away all the alcohol in their late-mother's pub, instead turning the space into a base for his Christian congregation. Phil's near-hysterical/extreme religious preaching has made Mona feel even more isolated from her brother, who she was once extremely close to. She one day meets Tamsin, the extremely wealthy young woman who has been suspended from school & is spending her days riding her horse around the beautiful outdoors. Mona starts to fall deeply in love with Tamsin, exploring this new emotion.

For me, the thing I loved most about this film is how it was shot. It really does look like the most incredible dream sequence you can imagine. The colours are soft & pastel, the focus sometimes hazy, which when added to the brilliant sound mixing/wildlife sounds, really does make you feel like you are in the most amazing dream world imaginable. The performances are also great, Blunt & especially Considine incredible. The story also has a few surprises up its sleeve, adding to the intrigue & sexiness.

Finally, despite it's 15 rating, to me this was never much of a controversial film, despite the initial reactions. This is a thoughtful, delicate & sweet film, exploring innocence and first loves.