MovieChat Forums > My Summer of Love (2005) Discussion > SPOILER - question about sex

SPOILER - question about sex

posted 15 years ago by imdbb-13
10 replies | jump to latest

I think nearly everyone agrees that in broad strokes this movie is about a naive Mona being toyed with by Tamsin.

Given that, does anyone have any thoughts as to why Tamsin asked Mona what her ex boyfriend was like having sex? At the time I thought perhaps Tamsin had never had sex with a man because she’s a lesbian not bisexual and/or is sheltered at boarding school. Having finished the movie however, Tamsin turns out to be far more worldly than Mona.

Also, what about the adultery of both Tamsin’s father and Mona with her boyfriend? They were both pissed off with men but is there reason beyond that? As Tamsin feels the victim of adultery and Mona is a co-purpetrator, logically Tamsin would have a reason to be angry at Mona.

[–] Viktorkrumnemesis 15 years ago

Wow... I never thought about that!

[–] abstract-in-dreams 15 years ago

i think Tamsin asked because she hasn't had sex with a man, and after Mona "shows" her she asks "thats it?" one can read this as Tamsin being reassured that she has no interest in having sex with men, i.e. she has no need to question her sexuality (she's a lesbian).

[–] imdbb-13 15 years ago

Interesting. I guess I figured Tamsin wasn't really a lesbian as this would further emphasis the fact that she was toying with Mona. I guess she could be manipulating her and still be a lesbian but it does sort of dilute the point.

[–] abstract-in-dreams 15 years ago

first and foremost i really loved this movie because there are so many ways one can interpret this...as everyone seems to have a different opinion. but gees, i'm so sure that Tamsin is a lesbian. she practically made the first move every time! and, the scene in where they swear their love till death; that's prompted by Tamsin. The truth (at least the way i see it) is that Tamsin wants Mona, of course for various reasons.

[–] imdbb-13 15 years ago

thanks

[–] Mod1911 15 years ago

I saw the girls sexual encounters as experimentation. Tamsin is still in high school, and kids are confused and curious about alot of things at this age.(not to say that someone who is gay is confused) Tamsin shows quite a bit of interest in Mona's brother ("he's cute") and even flirts with him. (we later see that she is just toying with his so called faith)

IMO, the story is more about obsession, manipulation and betrayal then Tamsin's sexual preference.

[–] fuchsiasattic 15 years ago

The way I interpreted that part where Mona shows her what sex with Ricky was like, as I was watching it (but now I'm not sure) was maybe Tamsin was kind of jealous, and sometimes when people are jealous they can torture themselves by trying to get all the information about something even though they know it'll only make themselves feel worse. But once the movie ended, and we saw what happened, I'm not sure.

[–] love_xtina_ever 15 years ago

the book is actually really different from the film
in the book tamsin does love Mona and even though Tamsin lied about her sister, Mona forgives her.
Tamsin also visited Mona alot at the pub after Mona was taking from her house by her brother.
So i do believe Tamsin was meant to be a real lesbian but the film kind of ignored that

[–] abstract-in-dreams 15 years ago

thanks for the literary insight Love xtina. I was still able to put the pieces together regardless if they were the least evident in the film. and i do believe that Tamsin really liked Mona, with or without the verbal confirmation (that the film lacked) :)

[–] ChelseaZ 15 years ago

I took it as jealousy or trying to prove oneself. I'm not quite sure if that makes sense. When I dated my ex-girlfriend she had previously only been with guys. I was her first girl and in that way I felt like I had to prove myself. It was dumb I know, but I desperately wanted to be assured that I was better sexually and in every way in comparison to the men she had been with. It was a constant struggle which ultimately led to the breakup. She was a bisexual, I'm a lesbian; the tension of her ultimately wanting guys and me never feeling like I was enough for her, was enough to break us apart.