Healthy dose of British humour with talented actors, writes Mark Orton.
Director: Roger Michell
Cast: Jim Broadbent, Lindsay Duncan, Jeff Goldblum, Olly Alexander
Rating: (M)
4 stars (out of 5)
''A Romcom from the director of Notting Hill'' is not exactly the sort of publicity blurb that will get cynical cineophiles salivating, but it's a lesser-hyped associate in the credits that should.
Paired with screenwriter Hanif Kureishi for the fourth time, director Roger Michell has taken a wickedly wry and funny script and, employing the considerable talent of actors Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan, has crafted an oddly satisfying tale of romance.
With a nod to Blue Valentine, Nick (Broadbent) and Meg Burrows (Duncan) head to Paris for a weekend for their 30th wedding anniversary to try to recapture some of the romantic spark that has long since dissipated from their relationship.
Except, where Blue Valentine was very dark and quite desperate, Le Week-end has a healthy dose of self-deprecating British humour to offset some of the heftier issues being bandied about.
Curmudgeonly Nick thinks the fact he is in Paris for the weekend with Meg will rekindle the intimacy he craves.
However, as we are only too aware from the outset, Meg is tired of Nick and his miserly ways.
This is her chance to flash the cash and live a little, all of which makes for some very entertaining scenes as Meg brushes off Nick's amorous intentions in favour of unabashed frivolity.
There is nothing remotely revelatory about Le Week-end were it not for the performances of Broadbent and Duncan.
It goes almost nowhere and that is kind of the point.
Best thing: Nick's wickedly funny and scathing self-assessment of himself.
Worst thing: The ending, sometimes it's nice to have something vaguely resembling a resolution.
See it with: Your spouse of 10 years+.
