22. MY SUMMER OF LOVE. (2004)
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski
Pawlikowski’s second great film (after LAST RESORT) is also, criminally, his last film to date, meaning that we’ve gone six years without a film from one of British cinema’s brightest talents. Indeed, at the point of MY SUMMER OF LOVE’s release, Pawlikowski was in a similar position to Shane Meadows, and along with the likes of Andrea Arnold and (later) Paul Andrew Williams was spearheading a new group of British filmmaking talent.
MY SUMMER OF LOVE is a transfixing, beautiful and powerful film. It tells the story of Mona (Natalie Press), a young girl who becomes friends with the mysterious, exotic and beautiful Tamsin (Emily Blunt) in the course of one summer, while living in a pub with her born-again older brother (Paddy Considine).
Pawlikowski, as with LAST RESORT, creates an immaculate sense of place, and here he has added a haunting tone. It captures that dreamlike, hazy feeling of holiday romance impeccably, aided by winning, charismatic performances from Press and Blunt, who leveraged her performance here (which is the less showy) into a really respectable career, while Press is awaiting her big break.
The most remarkable performance comes from Considine, though. At this stage in his career, post- A ROOM FOR ROMEO BRASS, and following terrific performances in DEAD MAN’S SHOES and IN AMERICA, it seemed inevitable that he would become a huge star, if he so desired. That that hasn’t happened doesn’t lessen the impact of his work here, permanently on the edge of tumultuous rage, and consumed by the desire to rid himself of that aspect of his personality.
MY SUMMER OF LOVE is the second best British film of the decade; it’s been too long a wait for Pawlikowski’s follow-up.
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