When the motion
picture industry first began, it was an affordable source of entertainment for
the lower working class, those who couldn’t afford tickets to the theater,
symphony or ballet. Last Weekend’s
biggest error is thinking that a film about the 1% can be sentimentalized into
audiences having sympathy for the narcissistic over-privileged. Only Patricia
Clarkson’s uncanny ability to subtly make any role engaging, there is no focus
in the debut feature from Tom Dolby and Tom Williams.
Clarkson stars
as overbearing family matriarch Celia Green, who has gathered her husband and
two adult sons (Zachary Booth, Joseph Cross) for one last weekend at their
vacation home in Lake Tahoe . Their finances
are not doing well, but Celia insists on putting up a front for everyone over
the course of the weekend. The reality is that they will be forced to sell the
home after one last holiday weekend together, so Celia is determined to make it
a memorable one.
Unfortunately
for Celia, there are a number of mishaps and unexpected guests to throw a
wrench in all of her careful planning. This also becomes the biggest problem
with the film’s narrative, so overstuffed with unnecessary supporting
characters and sub-plots that none takes any real significance. There is a
visiting TV star, temptations for adultery, an allergic reaction, an
electrocution, a nosy neighbor, etc. There is too much clutter for a film so
understated and underwhelming as this, and far too few relatable characters.
The DVD includes
a commentary track with co-directors Dolby and Williams. Dolby is also credited
for the screenplay. Also included are a handful of deleted scenes, a making-of
featurette, and a trailer.
Entertainment Value:
5.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6/10
Historical
Significance: 3/10
Special Features: 6.5/10
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