June is LGBTQ pride month, and once again Halloween Boutique Psychotronic Reviews heads to the arthouse to deliver the first of two June episodes that focus on LGBTQ cinema. This first episode is entitled MY SUMMER OF LOVE (2005), a British film showcasing award winning director Pawel Pawlikowski in one of his early movies. Also on display is the cinematography of Ryszard Lenczewski. However, most importantly is the feature film debut of Emily Blunt that would lead to her international acclaim as one of today’s most beloved actresses.

Mona (Natalie Press) lives with her ex-con brother Phil (Paddy Considine) in a rural town outside of Manchester, England. During the summer, she meets a wealthy and beautiful boarding school girl, Tamsin (Emily Blunt). With her free spirit attitude, Tamsin entrances Mona and the two become best of friends that may lead to even more. But as the summer winds down, Mona’s blinded expectations clashes with the bourgeois worldly life of Tamsin.

MY SUMMER OF LOVE is a highly regarded arthouse film that has many themes drenching its fabric. Besides the obvious LGBTQ aspect of the movie, the differences between the classes, the coming of age, and the inevitable indirection of many of the characters is apparent. Nominated for numerous awards, your co-hosts take a look at this “cult classic” and give their thoughts.