The Swedish film Summer with Monika, directed by Ingmar Bergman, follows the story of Monika (played by Harriet Andersson) and Harry (played by Lars Ekborg). Monika is a young woman who works in a grocery store in Stockholm and dreams of escaping her mundane life. Harry is a carefree youth who is on vacation from his job as a clerk in a bookstore.
Monika and Harry meet at a party and fall in love. They begin a passionate romance and spend their days exploring the city and enjoying the summer sun. However, Monika becomes pregnant, and their carefree lifestyle quickly comes to an end. In order to avoid scandal, they are forced to marry and move into a small apartment.
As they adjust to their new life, Monika and Harry begin to realize that they are very different people with different aspirations. Monika wants excitement and adventure, while Harry is content with a stable job and home life. Their marriage becomes strained as they struggle to reconcile their differences.
Monika eventually becomes disillusioned with her life and decides to leave Harry and their child behind. She sets out on a journey of self-discovery, but her independence comes at a cost. Harry is left to raise their child alone and must grapple with his own feelings of abandonment and betrayal.
The film is a bleak portrayal of a failed marriage and the harsh realities of life. It is also a commentary on social norms and expectations, particularly when it comes to gender roles and the pressures placed on women. Despite its somber tone, Summer with Monika is considered a classic of Swedish cinema and a masterpiece of Bergman's early work.