Alone in a tiny flat in Nottingham, Russell lives a sad, sterile life. During the day he works as a life-guard, a job he is ashamed of. In the evening he spends time with his mates. But he never really seems comfortable with them. At night he hits the local gay clubs looking for a one-night stand. Russell essentially seems to be standing still in his life. But then he meets and sleeps with Glen, an artist investigating the sex-lives of other homosexuals for a project. At first they seem to be complete opposites: Russell is quiet and introspective and Glen is bombastic and confrontational. But from their one-night-stand, they develop a deep bond. Could it be love? Maybe. It's more of a desperate need to reach out and touch someone who understands their own personal demons. Andrew Haigh's Weekend is a touching exploration of love and sex. When Russell is with Glen, director Andrew Haigh uses tight, hand-held shots to accentuate their intimacy. When Glen leaves, Russell's life becomes dominated by slow, static shots that seem to isolate him. The film features some of the most incredibly earnest dialogue concerning sex since Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy (1997), another film which grappled with the modern disconnection between sexual identity, physical intimacy, and love. Are sex and love intrinsically linked? Can one lead to the other? Haigh gives the compelling answer that it can, but not because such things are destined to occur. The relationship between Glen and Russell is organic and gradual, not forced and immediate. Therein lies its power. Therein lies the truth.
8/10
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