losthighway
Posts: 3167
Joined: 25/1/2006
From: Manchesterford
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***BE WARNED: MAJOR SPOILERS!!!***
OK, so I went to see this earlier this evening and it was followed by a Q&A with the main stars and the film's producer. I was really looking forward to the film having read and heard many positive reviews and my thoughts are as follows...
It's a very well made film, e.g. great cinematography (Nottingham has never looked so good!!!), the acting is spot on, the soundtrack is excellent (I love John Grant!  ) and the storyline/characters and the natural tone/feel of the movie all work in its favour, drawing you in and really making you connect with both characters throughout... HOWEVER I just can't get past the feeling that it falls into one too many gay cinema cliches.
For example, the film's characters discuss some very real concerns which plague us gay folks on a daily basis (e.g. is it safe to hold hands/kiss in certain places, gay marriage, being in a mainly straight environment and feeling isolated, heterosexism/indoctrination, the realities of being in a minority!), but then the main stars and producer both argued it wasn't an 'issues' led film!?
Hmmmmm, so why then does the camera linger over the character in a bath with his bits lolling about, plus full frontal nudity also coming into play during a bedroom scene. Apparently Haigh (the director) wanted the indoor scenes to feel quite voyeuristic, which they do but at the expense of a later sex scene which then feels like it's graphicness is to make a point to any heterosexual viewers out there. I asked the cast/producer about this scene during the Q&A afterwards suggesting this point and that might it have worked better just cutting to them in bed in the morning (which they do) as it's very obvious what is going to happen the night before. All three believe the scene is integral and it's about the intimacy of the scene and truthfulness to the story/characters rather than any intention to shock/be titillating... I can see their point but as it plays in the film, I remain to be convinced.
It's also worth mentioning that there's some pretty heavy drug taking in the film which evidently got the film its 18 certificate. But again, whilst the film should be true to itself and not be a responsible for representing a minority, I couldn't help feeling 'the gays' were yet again being shown as drug-fuelled hedonists... Most of us really aren't that exciting!!  It would have been nice to see a couple of guys who hook up without the need for copious amounts of weed and coke... i know many guys who manage to get laid without either!! 
ENDING SPOILER... I also take some convincing about the ending which whilst I admit in terms of naturalism, it makes sense within the realm of a 48hr relationship but at the same time if we're playing the issues cards at other points throughout the film, then the fact they don't end up together just falls into the usual cliche of gay films of yesteryear, i.e. we're either killed off, contract HIV/AIDS or end up alone! Funnily enough, the gay couple sat next to me passed exactly the same comment as the film ended.
I think the film is very good but I just can't get past the feeling I wanted to like it far more than I did. The reviews have been very positive and Peccadillo Pictures are clearly wanting it to go mainstream, but I fear it's arty tone won't have quite the same breakout appeal that say Brokeback Mountain had (forget the Hollywood stars, etc... i'm referring to the actual storyline). I think Weekend is a film which would work very well on TV at some point but for now, I recommend you guys/gals go and catch it if it's showing on a screen near you.
Overall: 3.5/5 (this may increase to 4 after further reflection)
< Message edited by losthighway -- 5/11/2011 11:30:18 PM >
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