This past Saturday I watched "Weekend," a gay romantic
comedy about a hook up which takes place over a weekend. It's a relatively
simple movie but it does a good job at explaining the complexity of
relationships.
The film follows the life of Russell, a Gay man in the UK and his
weekend in the city. During a random Friday night out at a gay bar, he meets
Glen, a cynical artist with an appetite for challenging the status quo and
relationship norms. They flirt momentarily in the bar and then end up at Russell's
apartment later in the night where they end up making love. Their relationship
starts out simple - nameless, emotionless and without much context.
Over the weekend it quickly evolves due to a series of
conversations and outings. Towards the end of the film Russell and Glen grow close
and develop a bond with one another. Unfortunately, halfway through the film we
learn their time together is short because Glen is planning to leave for
Portland, Oregon in just a few days. Russell is confused and heart broken by
the news but tries not to get too emotional.
“Weekend” closes unceremoniously and leaves the story of Russell and Glen unresolved. Similar to real life, both characters have independent life paths which just happened to run together for a short while.
The film does a great job at not fetishizing the hook up. Instead
it takes a more liberal stance and embraces the idea that love sometimes
happens without much context; sometimes you have to live life in the moment and
not obsess over the fine details such as “relationship status.”
For more info about “Weekend” visit http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2350554137/
