Watch Last Weekend

Last Weekend, released in 2014, tells the story of the Green family, who spend their Labor Day holiday weekend at their stunning waterfront estate near Lake Tahoe. Patricia Clarkson plays the matriarch, Celia Green, while Zachary Booth and Joseph Cross portray her two adult sons, Theo and Roger. The opening scenes introduce viewers to the stunning scenery of the Lake Tahoe region and the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy and privileged Green family. Celia is portrayed as a highly organized and controlling figure, planning the meticulous details of every last detail of their weekend retreat. When her husband, Malcolm (Chris Mulkey), drops a bombshell by informing her that he is considering selling the house, Celia refuses to accept the change and focuses on hosting their final family weekend without any issue.

The tension between the two is palpable, and it sets the tone for the entire film. As the family arrives one-by-one, tensions among the siblings eventually bubble up, leading to an honest, raw exploration of their relationships and personal challenges.

The oldest son, Roger, is a committed environmental activist, much to the chagrin of his materialistic mother. Meanwhile, Theo struggles with personal demons, including alcoholism, and seems to crave his mother's approval more than anything else. Theo’s struggles also mean trouble for his boyfriend, Luke (Devon Graye), a young man perpetually stuck in limbo between love and enabling Theo's downward spiral.

As the weekend progresses, each family member is forced to confront their inner struggles and demons, culminating in a series of confrontations, revelations, and moments of both pain and healing.

Patricia Clarkson gives a standout performance as Celia, seamlessly transitioning between the different personas of the character, from overbearing control freak to vengeful and spiteful, to loving and caring mother. Booth and Cross also deliver solid performances, portraying the complexities and frailties of their characters with sensitivity and depth.

While most of the film unfolds inside the Green family's sprawling estate, director Tom Williams treats viewers to stunning panoramic shots of the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe, serving as a welcome reprieve from the intense emotional drama unfolding indoors. The soundtrack provides a pleasant, melodious backdrop to the film's emotional scenes, contributing to an air of poignancy without overpowering the nuances of the characters' conversations.

Last Weekend is not a typical Hollywood-style blockbuster, but rather an intimate and engaging indie drama that offers introspection into relationships and human character. The film's script, characters, and performances are its highlights, providing rich opportunities for discussion and rumination long after the credits roll.

Overall, Last Weekend is a remarkable portrayal of a family’s last days at their summer retreat, unflinchingly exploring the struggles, secrets and conflicts that often lurk beneath the surface of a family dynamic. With its powerful performances, gorgeous scenery and vulnerable characters, it is sure to captivate audiences who are interested in exploring the challenges with self-awareness and openness.

Last Weekend is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 40.