A scheduling mishap on Airbnb leads to four people spending the weekend together in a cottage in the woods. The perfect setting for some conflict and romance, no?
The universe seems to be telling a twenty-something young woman something. But what is it? Despite the fact that her boyfriend lets her know that he can no longer get away for the weekend, New Yorker Harper (Peyton Michelle Edwards – The Things We Tell the Ones We Love) decides to get away from the big city for some fresh air at the cottage she has rented. Mishap number two happens when soon after her arrival the son of the man who owns the house arrives believing his father’s place was free for the weekend. James (Erik Bloomquist – from television’s The Cobblestone Corridor) is very nice, gets his dad to refund Harper’s money completely and is willing to leave. But there is something about James which leads to Harper offering him to stay.
They are getting to know each other when out of the blue Harper’s boyfriend Blake (Ehad Berisha – appeared in episodes of Quantico and The Good Wife) shows up to surprise her. He is not thrilled that Harper let James stay. Acts like a bit of jerk towards James. At the same time, with some help from Harper, James hooks up with a girl he meets on Tinder. So now there are four twenty-somethings staying in the same house and plenty of tension.
Replicating human existence is what a good film should do. Make us think about life and how it all comes together. Love and relationships play a big role in our lives. This is why love is a constant theme in film. The good ones present it in all its glory or its multitude of facets.
Making a film which feels authentic goes a long way towards covering up some of the flaws. Granted there are some awkward moments in Weekenders, which Bloomquist not only stars in but directs, but the fact that the film feels so real adds plenty of value here. Like you are watching a group of friends figure out who they are and who they actually want to be with over the course of a couple of days. Themes like commitment and sex run throughout. Propping this all up is a look at dating in the modern world. All very interesting.
There are moments here which are unnecessary. Slow and superfluous. But for the most part the moments work together to construct an interesting picture. Pay attention because there is plenty of subtlety. Applaud is warranted to filmmakers who attempt to make nontraditional romance films.
The film is now available to purchase or rent.
