Saturday, October 5, 2013

A few words on the charming Le Week-End (2013) New York Film Festival 2013


Give Jeff Goldblum an Oscar Nomination now.  He's so good he's what you'll remember about Le Week End...

...which is sad because this film actually deserves more than just talking about Goldblum's need to get an Oscar for a supporting role.

This is the story of a couple (Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan) who go to Paris for a weekend. They are a long married couple trying to rekindle something on their anniversary even as we find out they are verging on divorce. It begins with their getting a bad hotel room, then upgrading and then seeing the sights, fighting, making up and fighting some more.The eventually meet Goldblum who is an old friend of  Broadbent's. Goldblum invites them to a dinner party and... well that would be telling. Lets just say your heart will be touched you'll laugh a bit and maybe shed a tear.

Beautifully acted by all concerned, this is the way long time couples are. This is real and raw and frequently funny for any number of reasons. Hanif Kureishi's beautiful script makes this film completely unpredictable. And while we're at it let's give him an Oscar nomination for making something unlike 99.99% of stories floating out there. Real people and real dialog who would have thought it possible?

I should also mention if you're a Paris junkie the third character is the city itself.

This is one you're going to have to keep an eye out for because its going to run the danger of getting lost. I'm certain it will get great reviews, great word of mouth but its going to run the risk of getting lost in the shuffle.

The best thing I can say is just go see this small gem of a film.

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