Le WeekendDirected by Roger Michell
Written by Hanif Kureishi
Starring: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, Jeff Goldblum
Married thirty years, Nick and Meg go to Paris to celebrate their anniversary. The tension between them is palpable when few things go as planned. But, on the other hand, there is the closeness of a long-married couple to balance the scale. They know where a dagger can hurt the most and don’t always refrain from plunging it in. When Nick meets an old graduate school buddy (Goldblum), far more successful than he, the couple accepts his invitation to a party celebrating his new book. Things get out of hand. And then, get more out of hand.
Although the plot sounds simple, and in many respects it is, this is a story simmering with the rage, humor, jealousy, regret, and closeness of a long marriage. The acting is lovely. Duncan is brave enough to play an unsympathetic part without a wink and a nod, and Goldblum excels in giving us a narcissist who surprises us with his grace. Broadbent breaks our heart. Highly recommended if a witty, scary, sad, and truthful story of a marriage is to your fancy.
Patti Abbott