Le Weekend

I first became aware of Jim Broadbent listening to his portrayal of Wallace — assistant to Desmond Olivier Dingle in The National Theatre of Brent — and I've been a fan ever since. I've not seen him in anything I didn't like but my favourite of his roles was WS Gilbert in Topsy Turvy. As far as I'm concerned, he can do no wrong.

Lindsay Duncan is always good too — although she does always seem to play the same ice-queen character.

I don't know anything about acting but I think it must be hard to do while eating — especially if you have to do several takes and still appear to be enjoying the food — which by now  you're probably sick of. And deliver the lines at the same time! There was quite a lot of eating in this film. I suppose that's one of the reasons you go to Paris — for the food and the pleasure of communicating with the waiters.

One of the best scenes was Jeff Goldblum's monologue — also delivered while stuffing himself with canapés. I've never had an opinion about him until now but I thought he was superb in that scene — just the right mix of creepy and charming.

We had a big turnout for the first film of the season so the room we were in was too small for the people at the back. We'll be in a bigger room next time with different seating.

Audience feedback score was 81%:

A	Excellent — most enjoyable! Thanks.
A
A	Wry, full of sadness/comedy ? — ? — comedic + humaine. Lovely acting
A
A	Really enjoyable
A
A
A	Given the average age of the audience, I'm sure there were quite a few moments to relate to! Great film sound quality excellent — loved the beams.
A	Good to see what older people get up to — not too happy with the venue.
A	Venue disappointing, screen too small and seating not staggered. Too hot!
A	Wonderful acting and direction. Bitter-sweet!
A
A	More leg-room next time please. (I was behind the tallest man in the room!)
A
A	Top class acting. Interesting and very human story. Witty dialogue. Best film so far this season.
B
B
B
B
B	Bigger room next time. Ta
B	Magnifique — I hurt with unease and embarrassment + chortled with laughter. Jeff Goldblum may be a tad 'over large' — but enjoyable anyhow.
B	Did not like Meg. Felt she gave him crumbs of her affectation and was quite controlling in this respect. Well acted. Jim Broadbent is always good.
B	Quite funny and a bit bonkers.
B	Plaudits to Jim Broadbent who acts through his eyes.
B
B
B	Well made.
B	Liked the film. Disappointed about the room and seating.
C
C
C	Indulgent. Lacked direction.
C	Meandering and inconsistent — well done but not particularly enjoyable.
C	Really enjoyed this — well acted but felt sorry for him. Think it was love in the end.
C	Engaging dialogue — reflecting the joy of elderly life?
C	Too much soul-searching! Not v. realistic.
C	Interesting idea for a film but didn't quite work despite excellent acting. Sound a little funny.
C	Only skimmed surface of a fading relationship — typical Hanif Kureishi. Wonderful travelogue of Paris
C	Unusual way of coping with middle age crisis. Beautiful views over Paris + good music.
D	Not my cup of tea.
D	Occasional witty dialogue.

On-line stuff:

Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian "It all creates the kind of gentle melancholy comedy after which you leave the cinema not sure quite how depressed you are supposed to be feeling."
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/10/le-week-end-review

Robbie Collin in The Telegraph "Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan bring unexpected richness"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/10369701/Le-Week-End-review.html

IMDB – 6.4 out of 10.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2392326/

BFI Film of the week: "But the film belies its glum premise and unpromising title: perfectly cast and utterly charming, it turns out to be full of hilarious exchanges and unexpected treats."
Film of the week: Le Weekend

Rotten Tomatoes (54% audience rating)
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/le_week_end/