The Weekend

★★★★★

This visceral, arresting portrayal of friendship and grief sees three women in their 70s convene at their late friend Sylvie’s beach house, to clear it out. Severe, tightly wound Jude, optimist Adele and the highly intelligent Wendy have been friends for decades, and relationships have become fractious, complicated by secrets, regrets and exasperation. You cringe with Jude at Adele’s lack of self-awareness; you feel the prick of tears as Wendy feigns poise in the face of Jude’s thoughtlessness and unkindness. Wood tackles age sharply and movingly, and makes you consider the darker aspects of your own friendships.