Le Weekend

A pleasant, well-observed if slightly uneven weekend getaway of a film... there are moments of great comedy and also pathos, interspersed with romance and absurdism, between this couple who never seem to know if they are coming or going. This unpredictable medley does add a bit of a French New Wave vibe to proceedings, mashing up French spontaneity and British cantankerousness in a curious whirlwind which is at times entertaining, at times a trifle dull, but always sincere and very well acted.

Le Weekend is not without its stumbling conceits, but it continually poses questions which are both personal and universal, allowing oneself to wonder if this is a future which lies in store for them.

Before Le Week-end. Get it? 'Cos it's like the Linklater movies? Powerful and surprisingly warts-'n'-all depiction of a loving yet resentful, educated sixtysomething couple attempting to reignite their passion on holiday in Paris. Nothing quite so transcedant as the trilogy it cribs from, but it's still a great watch; Jim Broadbent, in particular, conveys a lot of complex emotions very effectively.

Slow moving, funny, kooky

Le Weekend is le mierde.

It's no '45 Years' but is nonetheless a worthy exploration of the changing nature of love. The film does seem to capture something of the rejuvenative power of Paris. Broadbent, Duncan and Goldblum are all very good.

The sixtysomething couple with rather nondescript problems in this competent marital drama is brought to vivid life by fantastic performances from both Broadbent and Duncan who embody all the sourness, resentment, and weary affection of a long-running marriage going through a crisis of sorts. Jeff Goldblum also livens things up in a memorable supporting turn.

You just feel so damn sorry for this chap who fell in love with such a thoroughly reprehensible human being. I sort of wish it had been about his escape from her rather than rediscovering himself in the confines of his self-imposed purgatory

Le Weekend was not for me. Broadbent and Duncan deliver strong performances but their characters are infuriating. It's also nice to see Goldblum pop up occasionally. The plot ambles around, though it does provide an insight into their marriage (and marriage more generally). I didn't find the film that interesting, and it ends with the leads tap dancing in a cafe; an insipid ending to an aimless film.

Sharply observed and so well acted it feels a little voyeuristic and cringe worthy in places, however the up beat ending compensates

One to many ups and downs in this senior edition of the 'Before...' trilogy makes you wonder: Is the lesson learned here that old people are just like you and me, or is it that they know better? This being never quite clear, too much frustration with the main characters sneak in, and you start wishing for the camera to stay with Goldblum instead. As you do...

As always Michell/Kureishi think of self-absorption and unpleasantness as artistic virtues, but the actors make up for the half-baked character arcs. Also starring Jeff Goldblum as himself.