Review of My Summer of Love (2005) by Timothy S — 05 Jun 2014

Almost every movie ever made about first love and the heartbreak that ultimately comes along with it have been lightweight pieces of fluff that depend primarily on the chemistry between the two stars for their success. Even though the lovers in "My Summer of Love" are both females, that is nevertheless the case here as well.

There's no point to it that I could discern, but the two leads are effective and the beautiful photography and languid pacing make up for the film's other shortcomings. Natalie Press and Emily Blunt are both brave and sincere in the lead roles. Their friendship is formed chiefly out of convenience and boredom, in equal doses, but their love affair is a little more complicated than that. Their bond becomes sexual rather swiftly, and it doesn't always feel authentic especially when you discover the tragedy that is initially responsible for bringing them together is a lie.

The screenplay seems to shortchange Blunt's character, as you never really understand why she does some of the things she does, like perpetuate that lie and attempt to seduce Press' religious brother. That character is much better realized and becomes the one you sympathize with throughout the picture. It continually reminded me of Peter Jackson's superb "Heavenly Creatures" but without the sophistication.

Despite some deep reservations, I enjoyed "My Summer of Love" because of the performances. The leads have some tender moments together, but the filmmakers could have dropped the Harlequin romance title and fleshed out the characters more. This is pretty basic.