Plot
After a drunken house party with his straight mates, Russell heads out to a gay club. Just before closing time he picks up Glen but what's expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something else, something special.

Release Year: 2011

Rating: 7.9/10 (1,908 voted)

Critic's Score: 81/100

Director: Andrew Haigh

Stars: Tom Cullen, Chris New, Laura Freeman

Storyline
On a Friday night after a drunken house party with his straight mates, Russell heads out to a gay club, alone and on the pull. Just before closing time he picks up Glen but what's expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something else, something special. That weekend, in bars and in bedrooms, getting drunk and taking drugs, telling stories and having sex, the two men get to know each other. It is a brief encounter that will resonate throughout their lives. Weekend is both an honest and unapologetic love story between two guys and a film about the universal struggle for an authentic life in all its forms. It is about the search for identity and the importance of making a passionate commitment to your life.

Cast:
Tom Cullen - Russell
Chris New - Glen
Laura Freeman - Jill
Vauxhall Jermaine - Damien

Taglines: A (sort of) love story between two guys over a cold weekend in October.

Official Website: Official Blog | Official Facebook |

Release Date: 4 November 2011

Filming Locations: England, UK

Box Office Details

Budget: £120,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend: $27,245 (USA) (25 September 2011) (1 Screen)

Gross: $455,459 (USA) (20 November 2011)

Trivia:
Weekend was shot entirely on location in Nottingham, UK.

Goofs:
Continuity: When Russell asks Glen what time his train is later that day, Glen informs him it is around 4.30pm. Later on when Russell is in the train station's main room waiting for Glen to appear, an announcement is heard in the background clearly indicating that one of the next trains to depart the station is the 18:37pm for Birmingham New Street.

Quotes:
Glen: Do you ever think about finding your parents?
Russell: No, not really.
Glen: Why not?
Russell: I don't really see the point. You know, I don't think it would change anything.
Glen: Why don't I pretend to be your dad and you can come out to me?
Russell: [laughs] That is SO weird.
Glen: Just ignore the fact we just had sex.
Russell: I don't think I can. Guess I'll try. Ok.
[looks Glen in the eye]
Russell: Dad? I got something I need to tell you.
[...]

This is the best low budget indie gay movie in years, and the best gay movie since BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

Rating: 10/10

I just watched WEEKEND at a screening at the Oslo LGBT film festival, and am still in shock. This is the most real cinematic version of guys falling in love in recent history. I'm a filmmaker myself, and was blown away by the caliber of the writing, directing, acting, cinematography, editing, and music of this fantastic film. There's not a false note in the movie--everything rings true, even the ending (no spoilers here.) It's the rare film, like WINTER'S BONE last year, that at every turning point takes what I call the elegant decision. WEEKEND is at a higher level than all other LGBT films playing the festival circuit this year (the only other film near this level is Tom Twyker's 3.) Actually, it's at a higher level than almost all films playing anywhere this year. Where did this film come from? Apparently the brilliant mind of Andrew Haigh (writer/director/editor), who, I noted on an IMDb search, started as an apprentice editor on GLADIATOR, and then assistant editor on BLACK HAWK DOWN (working with the master editor Pietro Scalia on both. Go UCLA!) I look forward to seeing more of Haigh's work. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT miss this movie.

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