Rather stylish low budget romantic comedy set on the far northern beaches of Sydney's fabulous coastline. Palm Beach is the strip of seaside famous for it's wealth and lifestyle and WEEKEND WITH KATE plants itself there for some good looking entanglements. Handsome cast members Colin Friels and Jerome Erhlers play well opposite paramour Catherine McClements and locally all three are well known for both stage and television roles. KATE looks good on a movie screen and in its initial run was quite well received. Oz film makers don't do the romantic comedy movie very often and this one succeeds well enough to be a surprise. It has not been on TV for ten years and I have never seen it on DVD, so a reappearance could be welcome. WEEKEND WITH KATE is quite enjoyable in it's sparkling way. Another Oz film of a similar theme is LUCKY BREAK which did not do well.
5 Reviews
At times, being Australian can be an advantage
Gizmo_not_Gremlin3 December 2022
Australian cinema has a simple but checkered history. From being underrated and underfunded and underrepresented for decades, New Holland finally burst on the international film scene in the early '70s thanks to hypnotic visual feasts like Walkabout and Wake in Fright.
Following this, Australian cinema glistened with surplus films, mostly horror and sex comedies.
By 1990, the golden era of Australia cinema had somewhat waned, but there were still gems occasionally popping up.
Unfortunately Weekend with Kate is not one such gem, yet it holds up on its own unique charm. A simple predictable love triangle, this light tragicomedy has merits due to its own humbleness. Is it hilarious? No. Is it erotic? Not at all. Is it enjoyable? Well, yes but only just. Were this American or even European fare, it would easily be indistinguishable from the many similar films, but where Weekend with Kate really shines is in its own Australianess. The bush , the wilderness, the great unknown is as much the star as one of the three leads. Every outdoor shot (and there are many) are enhanced by the majesty of Down Under's glory.
Is Weekend with Kate the first film to have this? No, nor is it the finest or last. But that's why it's worth watching. The audience is not watching a jealous spat between three youngsters, but a tragedy unfold in the outback.
See it and make up your own mind.
Following this, Australian cinema glistened with surplus films, mostly horror and sex comedies.
By 1990, the golden era of Australia cinema had somewhat waned, but there were still gems occasionally popping up.
Unfortunately Weekend with Kate is not one such gem, yet it holds up on its own unique charm. A simple predictable love triangle, this light tragicomedy has merits due to its own humbleness. Is it hilarious? No. Is it erotic? Not at all. Is it enjoyable? Well, yes but only just. Were this American or even European fare, it would easily be indistinguishable from the many similar films, but where Weekend with Kate really shines is in its own Australianess. The bush , the wilderness, the great unknown is as much the star as one of the three leads. Every outdoor shot (and there are many) are enhanced by the majesty of Down Under's glory.
Is Weekend with Kate the first film to have this? No, nor is it the finest or last. But that's why it's worth watching. The audience is not watching a jealous spat between three youngsters, but a tragedy unfold in the outback.
See it and make up your own mind.
Generally enjoyable but let down by weak conclusion
Marco_Trevisiol31 August 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This romantic triangle comedy never reaches great heights but is enjoyable and pleasant most of the way. In one of her earliest roles, McClements is very good as the wife unaware of her husband's philandering and planning to leave her and largely carries the film.
The central premise isn't really convincing; would one of the biggest pop stars in the world who gets his every whim catered to be happy with a weekend away at a modest abode with only the rock promoter and his wife there to assist?
But it gets by with this iffy premise to be an entertaining timewaster... until the final 15 minutes when it goes off the rails once the husband's philandering is discovered by all.
Firstly, there's an extremely silly scene where the husband (in a desperate attempt to stop his wife running off with the pop star) manages to erect several painted signs for her on the road professing his love for her. Not only is it corny, but logistically impossible and takes the film down a notch.
As well the film misguidedly ends with the husband and wife reconciling. This 'happy ending' seems much too generous to the husband (played by Colin Friels) who is not only having an affair but is shown to be immature and self-absorbed and having little empathy for his wife. Clearly the filmmakers like this character more than audiences would have.
It's a shame the film ends on some dud notes as it's a pleasant throwaway for the most part.
The central premise isn't really convincing; would one of the biggest pop stars in the world who gets his every whim catered to be happy with a weekend away at a modest abode with only the rock promoter and his wife there to assist?
But it gets by with this iffy premise to be an entertaining timewaster... until the final 15 minutes when it goes off the rails once the husband's philandering is discovered by all.
Firstly, there's an extremely silly scene where the husband (in a desperate attempt to stop his wife running off with the pop star) manages to erect several painted signs for her on the road professing his love for her. Not only is it corny, but logistically impossible and takes the film down a notch.
As well the film misguidedly ends with the husband and wife reconciling. This 'happy ending' seems much too generous to the husband (played by Colin Friels) who is not only having an affair but is shown to be immature and self-absorbed and having little empathy for his wife. Clearly the filmmakers like this character more than audiences would have.
It's a shame the film ends on some dud notes as it's a pleasant throwaway for the most part.
Catherine McClements is the reason to watch this
PeterM2717 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
In this film, a duplicitious music promoter who lies to his wife Kate and his lover/co-worker Carla, is forced to entertain an obnoxious visiting star musican at his wife's beach-house in Pittwater, but things get crazy when he is forced to choose between the two woman and the musician takes a fancy to his wife.
Catherine McClements who plays Kate is the main reason to see this film, and Kate is the only likeable character in this film. Colin Friels plays her creepy, hyperactive husband, Jerome Ehlers is the pompous, selfish and entitled musician who is won over by Kate's quiet charm, and Helen Mutkins as the lover is ruthless and charmless.
The script and direction must take most of the blame though, as the characters are forced to behave badly and say stupid things. But McClements helps get you through the rough bits and parts of the film are enjoyable, even if not believable.
Catherine McClements who plays Kate is the main reason to see this film, and Kate is the only likeable character in this film. Colin Friels plays her creepy, hyperactive husband, Jerome Ehlers is the pompous, selfish and entitled musician who is won over by Kate's quiet charm, and Helen Mutkins as the lover is ruthless and charmless.
The script and direction must take most of the blame though, as the characters are forced to behave badly and say stupid things. But McClements helps get you through the rough bits and parts of the film are enjoyable, even if not believable.
Stock Footage
cuz-529 March 2001
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
