Summer With Monika (1953)

18 June 2019

There is a lot I really hated about the film Summer With Monika (1953), but I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to. In this film young Harry meets a slightly younger Monika, and they both quit their jobs and run off on a boat for the summer. Over time though, Harry finds out Monika is a terrible person.

Monika is a wicked character that drags Harry further and further down during the entire 97m experience, and it was angering to watch. I think I expected some level of redemption or salvation for the characters, but Bergman's movies aren't the most uplifting. Well acted (I don't think I hated a character this much since 28 Weeks Later) and it holds up really really well. I think of the 7 films of his I've seen, this is currently Bergman's finest. Though I'm also not rushing to rewatch it. 10/10