Overview
Can you fall in love with someone over the course of a weekend? In conventional romcoms one date and typically the couple is away, hearts aflutter. The hard part of course is making the audience believe it.
Critically acclaimed British film Weekend, directed by Andrew Haigh sets the principal actors this task and the results are quietly impressive. Our protagonist Russell (Tom Cullen) meets Glen (Chris New) at a gay club in Nottingham one night and takes him home. The next morning Glen, for a university art project, records Russell describing their night together in explicit detail.
From this initial candid conversation, an intimacy is established and it's clear to them both that this has the potential to be more than just a casual hook up. The chemistry between these two very different characters is intriguing. Russell is quiet, gentle and introverted; Glen bold, sexually assertive and reactive. The great irony here is Glen tells Russell he doesn't "do" boyfriends and yet Russell is keen to take a risk for love.
Over the course of the weekend Glen and Russell spend much of their time together while not actually doing a hell of a lot. They hang out, drink, take drugs and have sex. All these activities have such a sense of realism to them that it's easy to get lost in Tom Cullen and Chris New's performances.
Weekend could be compared to such films as Before Sunrise except instead of falling in love as they wander the streets of a romantic European city, most of Russell and Glen's conversations take place in Russell's modest flat, a place where both are free to be themselves, away from homophobia.
The commonplace prejudice they encounter causes Russell to hide his sexuality from the outside world while Glen challenges those who judge him for it. Although no attack takes place in the film, there are constant reminders of the violence that could ensue if either of them were to be too openly gay or demonstrative in public.
But this film addresses much more than just gay issues. It's about learning to live your life in the most honest way you know how. This, I think, is key to the success of this low budget, charmingly understated, intensely romantic and deeply moving story.
