Over the years, it’s become rare to get a romance that is full of good chemistry, an interesting premise, and some fantastic sentimentality. Long Weekend has each of these in spades. Writer-director Steven Basilone brings a lot of heart to this romantic drama, one that is charming and sweet, yet mysterious. The overarching theme embraces the idea of certain people leaving an important and permanent imprint on one’s life, however temporary their stay might be. With strong characters and a twist that meaningfully adds to their story, Long Weekend is an engaging romantic tale that offers a satisfying journey.

Bart (Finn Wittrock) is a struggling writer who has been through a lot in the last year of his life. He’s lost his mom to cancer, his job, and his girlfriend broke up with him. No longer able to afford the rent on his home, he moves into his friend Doug’s (Damon Wayans Jr.) home for a while, at least until he can find something stable because the novel writing is just not working out for him right now despite a pretty great idea. Immediately, Long Weekend reveals that something else isn’t right with Bart. Doctors and friends keep calling to check in on him, wondering if he’s been taking his medicine; Bart ignores them all. However, his life changes for the better when he meets Vienna (Zoë Chao), a mysterious woman who is packing a bag full of cash and has no ID. The pair get along swimmingly and are able to open up to one another despite the secrets Vienna is clearly harboring. 

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Damon Wayans, Jr. and Finn Wittrock The Long Weekend
Damon Wayans, Jr. and Finn Wittrock The Long Weekend

Long Weekend successfully brings two people together who would have likely never met otherwise. They go to bars, restaurants, and take short trips together. There’s an instant connection and one that uplifts them both in ways they never would have imagined. Lingering looks, meaningful and deep conversations reveal layers upon layers of who these characters are and what their motivations might be, how they’ve been shaped by their pasts and what their future may hold. The title is clever because viewers expect the meaning to be a literal reference to Vienna and Bart’s long weekend spent together, but it’s actually not at all. 

That said, the meaning behind the title is put to good use in the film and it brings clarity and works to further bring the couple together. Basilone also employs a surprising twist to explain why Vienna carries around her backup full of money. On the surface, the reveal may not have worked at all, but it’s used to build tension, wonder, and intimacy. It’s a bit of a reach, but the film thankfully keeps things grounded, with Basilone confidently weaving it into the storyline without needing to delve too much into it. If he had, the twist may have been a lot less believable. 

Finn Wittrock and Zoë Chao and Long Weekend.

However, the couple’s love is not meant to last despite their desire for their romance to be forever. There is a good reason for their temporary union, with the idea being how greatly Bart and Vienna benefit from being in each other’s lives, even if it’s only for a short while. The truth is, that’s reality and many people come and go at various points in one’s life — friends, significant others, even family members. However, having these short-term relationships doesn’t make them any less crucial or influential. Vienna and Bart appeared to each other in the nick of time and their foundation and the strength of their connection will leave a lasting effect, which is incredibly beautiful. 

The dialogue and flow of the film is wonderful; Basilone lingers long enough to create a quiet, comfortable closeness. Long Weekend, however, relies heavily on the strength of Wittrock and Chao’s performances. Their chemistry, connection, and the softness in which they treat one another is lovely. It adds immensely to the believability of their relationship and goes a long way in understanding why Bart and Vienna become so attached to one another. What's also refreshing about the film is how most of the escalating tension and drama comes from external events -- Vienna and Bart have a confrontation that stems from a lack of understanding, but it's not contrived and the line of communication is always open. When it comes to romances, it's not always easy to create something that is instantly believable and engaging at every turn. Audiences will want to stick with Long Weekend from beginning to end because it's thoughtful, intimate, and wonderfully executed. 

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Long Weekend is now playing in theaters. The film is 91 minutes long and is rated R for language throughout.

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Key Release Dates

  • the long weekend
    Long Weekend
    Release Date:
    2021-03-12