WEEKEND

With only three weeks until its release I can hardly wait to see this film again. It really takes you into the intensity of a brief encounter with an amazing emotional pull that catches you somewhat off-guard, as the whole thing seems quite casual and fly-on-the-wall. However it is much more carefully thought out than this and towards the end you find yourself reeling from the emotion and also reminded of the possible beauty of these experiences when two bodies collide and two souls as well. And there are surprising elements which contribute to this emotion, as well as a wonderful delineation of two very different characters and a setting of it against family life without this feeling in any way contrived. The tenderness of the film, for all its seemingly rough edges, couldn't possibly be exaggerated, and in its frankness it goes beyond anything I have seen I think, either gay or straight, to take you right into their intimacy and by extension into your own heart and longings. I tried to get at least two straight women friends to see it, being sure that it would speak to anyone (a bit like Before Sunrise/Before Sunset but more explicit), but failed! Nevertheless I hope many people will see it on DVD because I'm sure what it shows is, in its most important sense, universal.

When many portrayals of gay men (and their relationships) goes straight to the innuendo, camp, and prance - this film cuts to the reality of not only gay relationships but any chance meeting between individuals which can happen in our modern day life of excess and chance dating.What happens next is a look at how deep connections can be made so subtly in a quick amount of time and this film will be like a mirror to all of us, gay or straight, on how we've felt at times.Further kudos has to be given for avoiding the other go-to topics of HIV and hate crime, whilst making necessary reference to them as part of a single gay mans life. I thought reference to drug use was slightly unnecessary but i'll let that slide because the film otherwise is simply an honest view of connections and relationships - with some wonderful added self awareness and self reference to what this film is and how audiences will view it.Great acting by two great talents in Chris New and Tom Cullen (about to be seen in Downton Abbey) - and Andrew Haigh is now going on to produce a new show on HBO about the lives of gay men in San Francisco and I wish him all the best with that project.

You can't watch this film without feeling something. The script consists of sincere interactions, natural small talk and realistic arguments. It made me think about aspects of my own life. Parts of my past, feelings I've had about friends, lovers, my parents, and what these relationships mean to me. It even made me think about my future.Weekend isn't just another gay movie. It's not distasteful or stereotypical. It's delicate. It's amusing. And my word, it makes you think. The "love" story, if that's how you want to put it, is sewn neatly into that raw, British reality. Altercations between characters remind me of ones I've had myself - petty, circular and genuine. Authentic characters are placed into familiar situations. I lost count of the times I felt a sense of déjà vu, a deep understanding of the context, or even recognition of myself in one of the characters. I even recognised my friends in others. It might just be me, but aspects of this film seem to describe life experiences that we've all been through; gay or straight.This film picks up on something that might ordinarily go unnoticed. It cultivates the idea that something strong can burst from a chance encounter with someone you meet in a bar. This scenario must happen more often than realised. It happens every day, but so many just pass it off as a myth. The idea that such a bond could be formed over a single weekend may seem farfetched to some, but I believe the actors capably portray the honesty of what these characters create.So much about the film's production mutters authenticity. It lets you witness each of Glen and Russell's encounters as if you were there. Camera angles range from incredibly distant to up close and personal. You could be placed across the street from the couple, or as a passenger on their tram. Next thing you know you're in bed with them. At one moment, surrounding bystanders cross in front of the shot, concealing the pair entirely. This technique allows the audience to immerse themselves in the characters' world, as if to eavesdrop on their conversation.The only real criticism I have is related to the excessive use of drugs throughout the film. While it's perfectly realistic to have characters taking lines and shooting up, here I felt that it didn't fit with the personalities involved.Russell is played by Tom Cullen, who admirably utilises body language, tone of voice and eye gaze to successfully pinpoint the character's insecurities. Although openly gay, it is evident that Russell is yet to be totally comfortable with his sexuality. Glen (Chris New) provides Russell with stepping stones toward this personal development, and it truly is endearing to watch.Bedroom scenes aren't just used for sex. Although these are natural and incredibly sensual, the morning after does well to hold attention. These scenes frequently display romantic affection and touching exchanges, in spite of the disagreements and platonic ambience we see in a majority of the film.If you feel like the trailer alone stirs the heart, wait `til you see the full thing. By the end, you're left with a churned barrel of emotions, aching to be told the rest of the story. In a way, this indecisive ending, severed by something rusty and serrated, is an ideal way to complete the film. There's no tidy bow to connect loose ends, no lid to put it all away. The lives of those involved are left open and unforeseeable.It leaves you wanting more.Find this review at:[...]

I'm very conflicted with this film, as I can see why it has more depth than the usual gay films out there and despite the premise, its about more than just sex (another problem with gay films). You can see that they are meant to be together despite having only met at the start of the weekend, but each one has a different issue holding them back (one isn't out and the other was badly hurt). So it very much deserves to be watched as the storyline is good.The trouble is that it is way too slow and very long, for so much dialogue. It could have easily been a short story with the same impact. Also, I am sick of films promoting drug use as if its 'the thing gays do'. As usual they are snorting coke like it's going out of fashion, which this film could have done without as it added nothing to the story. But despite these shortcomings it is quite touching and you long for the 'happy ever after' ending.

First delivery was returned owing to my Samsung player Showed NO DISK tried several times,Returned item for replacement arrived and same results.Previous DVDs bought from Amazon work well.

Mi è piaciuto molto. Un film che oserei definire minimalista, girato con pochi mezzi (un budget di 120.000 sterline) e in soli 17 giorni, eppure molto intenso. Si tratta di una breve storia d'amore tra due uomini, o meglio tra due ragazzi, che si conoscono un venerdì sera in una discoteca di Nottingham. Non rivelo niente altro del film per non spoilerare, tranne che loro si chiamano Russell e Glen e che passeranno insieme un weekend fatto di dialoghi e passione, conoscendosi a vari livelli e confrontando le loro vite e le loro esperienze. Una storia d'amore delicata che arriva allo spettatore con piglio diretto e senza fraintendimenti, con una buona regia, bei dialoghi e bei protagonisti. Il tutto risulta perfettamente credibile (a mio avviso). Forse potranno infastidire alcune scene che hanno a che fare con le droghe e con il sesso tra uomini (sono cose della vita!), ma è tutto estremamente realistico e naturale. E' stato anche capace di farmi ricordare lontane esperienze e bei momenti vissuti nella mia gioventù. Preso da pochi giorni e già visto due volte. Molto bravi i due attori principali. Promosso a pieni voti.

曲も良いたった2日間の間なのにいつまでも心に残る出会いまさしく一期一会

Bellissimo

ノッティンガムが舞台になっています。英語字幕で見たので内容をちゃんと把握出来ているか分かりませんが、それでも素晴らしい作品でした。二人が惹かれあっていく過程も含め、この監督は心の機微を捉えるのが上手いですね。そしてとにかくセリフが良いです。エンディング曲も。残された短い時間の中、会話を重ねながらお互いを知り、求める物を探り出し影響を与えあっていく二人。ゲイの生き方、一人で居る事、愛、リレーションシップへの渇望。議論の中で無視できないものが育っていき、ある場面(本作のベストシーン)からラストまで繋がる様に、思いもよらないぐらい感情を動かされ、最後は切なくて涙が止まらなくなりました。誰でも本当の自分を見せるのは怖い。切ないけれど、二日間の短い出会いがお互いを変え、自分が誰で、どう生きたいかを示せた事は、この先を違った物にする筈。UK版、US版どちらのブルーレイも購入したのでそちらの感想も。UK版はタイトルメニューが凝っていて作品への愛を感じる。普通にプレイヤーで再生出来るのでリージョンはオールだと思います。USクライテリオン版は美しいパッケージやディスクを眺めるだけでも価値あり。特典も豪華。各チャプターのタイトルがUK版と違う。ディスクは一度取り出しても同じ所から再生出来る便利なタイプ。どちらも音声、字幕は英語のみ。特典は字幕無し。UK特典・監督&キャストのインタビュー。15分・監督&プロデューサーのインタビュー。9分・写真家二人(劇中にもエキストラ出演)の作品ギャラリー。7分・撮影中の舞台裏映像。10分・映画祭での監督、キャストインタビュー映像。3分・トレーラー・英語字幕(標準仕様ではなく特典メニューから選択)US特典・監督、キャスト、プロデューサー、撮影監督が本作について語る30分の映像。作品への理解が深まります。・監督のインタビュー。セックスシーンについて。6分・主演二人のオーディション映像。映画のワンシーンを演じている物で興味深い。10分・撮影中の舞台裏映像。UKとは所々違う場面が。8分・写真家二人の作品ギャラリー。これだけが字幕付き。7分・短編作品 Cahuenga Blvd. (2005) 6分 Five Miles Out (2009) 18分・トレーラー・ブックレット。中は写真と評論家の文章。以上、ご参考までに。この作品が気に入った方はHBOドラマの「Looking 」も見て下さい。同じ気持ちが得られますよ。

Una estupenda historia muy bien dirigida e interpretada. La recomiendo. Además la conseguí por 9 euros, así que muy contento.