The beauty of Bergman's Summer with Monika

Summer with Monika was, I think, Ingmar Bergman's 2nd film (1953) - racy and controversial for its many scenes of sexual foreplay and many leering shots of Monika (Harriet Anderson), but by today's standards not at all remarkable in that regard. The film doesn't quite have the literary qualities of many of Bergman's later films, nor the wrestling with faith and destiny that was such a part of his work, especially in the 1950s/60s; however, it's a strong and straightforward narrative (based on a novel, I think) about the course of young love: The protagonist, Harry, meets Monika in Stockholm, each of them badly mistreated in their workplace and each from a troubled home - though the troubles differ (Harry is the only child of a widowed, gravely ill father who provide no love or emotional support; Monika is the oldest in a large family of squabblers, dependent on Monika for whatever she can contribute to the family welfare). Long and short, the two run off and spend the summer what I think on island in the Stockholm archipelago. After several adventures and much romance - they shake off the evident hardships of living on an island w/ no running water or sources of food - it's time to head back to the city when summer ends - and that leads with huge conflict (Monika is pregnant and gives birth to a girl) and a fatal strain on their relationships. On one level, we are highly sympathetic to these two poor souls, and it's good to know that today there are much better social resources in Sweden to support young families; on another level, it's disturbing the Bergman makes Monika out to be an unfaithful betrayer and a whining harpy: We can recognize the pressure she's under, but why is she the villain and Harry the innocent dupe? Throughout, there's is fantastic cinematography that will keep anyone's attention - not just the loving closeups of the two principals but also beautiful footage of the island and the Stockholm waterways, plus many views of the industrial core of Stockholm, particularly at night - the crowded streets, the soaring bridges, the cheap nightclubs, all against the beautiful background of the always nearby waterways. One character pauses to praise the beauty of this city, and it's something w/ which viewers will concur.