"Weekend"
is a British film that introduces Tom Cullen as Russell, a lifeguard ,
whose friends are aware that he is gay but he doesn't flaunt it. In fact
he is a low keyed guy in all aspects of his life who doesn't open much
to others. He meets Chris New, playing Glen who is an artist, outspoken,
not into the 'boyfriend' thing, who is moving to Oregon on Sunday for a
special project. They look at things, like gay marriage and politics,
differently and are very open to each other. These opposite
personalities get into very heavy subjects, more so than couples in
Hollywood films whether heterosexual or homosexual.

The
film is written, edited and directed by Andrew Haigh who seems to let
the actors loose to do their 'thing' and yet handles the sex scenes
realistically with brief frontal nudity. The film was obviously done on a
very tight, low budget without Hollywood gloss.

Cullen and New are not the body shaved
oiled physics you see in expensive high budgeted films but they are
actors who make you believe in them, who and what they are. The film
revolves around these two with a few supporting players and they fill
and command the screen. The ending is not what you would expect but will
bring a tear to your eye.

First and foremost "Weekend" is a love story, the first satisfying one about a gay couple but just as relevant to a heterosexual couple.