Director: Nelson van Herzele
Writer: Ivo Paermentier
Cast: Lars Van Der Wolf & Jan Leppens
Running time: 8mins
A year ago, Nelson van Herzele pre-empted the next big Hollywood trend, when he adapted an internet copypasta into a dark, theatrical parable. But while the cinematic mainstream is currently scrambling to mine memes for their latest IP, Van Herzele has followed up Brother, may I have some oats too? by pre-empting another trend-setting theme soon to dominate the box-office: the employment woes of Gen Z.
Ivo Paermentier’s script sets out a corporate farce, in which two employees suddenly find themselves pitted against one-another for a mid-level promotion. The surly Norbert (Jan Leppens) slouches in his chair, sullenly assessing the situation; while the young Freek (Lars van der Wolf) babbles excitedly in a poorly conceived attempt to seem at ease.
Sitting together in a sparse, mustard-coloured living room – complete with two bottles of house red, and kitsch golden bunting to celebrate someone’s success – the tension gradually ratchets up, as the pair stew in their own anxiety. As the sword of Damocles dangles above, both individuals know that the outlook is grim, should they fail to get their feet under the table here. People of Norbert’s age have spent their lives tormented by the threat of their planned obsolescence – one day we will replace you with someone younger/cheaper/a machine. People of Freek’s age have had this served up early – entry level jobs are being replaced by a machine. With the social security net having been well and truly shredded, no universal basic income (or liveable pension) awaits them should they miss this gravy-train.
Both actors are excellent here, as the mounting pressure drags a little more out of them with every tick of the clock in the silent room. Even as he tries to claim the space by spreading his legs comically wide in his comfy chair, the growling Leppens sinks back into his character, verbally withdrawing into guttural emissions. Meanwhile, Van der Wolf desperately tries to claim the upper-hand by filling that vacuum with endless small-talk – but as he stumbles through various nothing-topics, it only serves to highlight just how physically out-of-sorts his character is, hunched in his own chair, balled up as small as he could conceivably be.
Despite assurances that both party regards the other as a friend, and references to previous high-times they might have had, the energy in the room is predominantly of suspicion – and many of us will find ourselves picking a side in the ensuing disagreement. Largely, that will be along arbitrary ‘generational’ lines – a ridiculous convergence of demographic conveniences to suggest that someone born in 1997 has less in common with someone born in 1996 than someone born in 2012 (or indeed, from the same socio-economic background, ethnicity, sexuality or gender identity). But what I find most interesting about Have A Great Weekend, is the way it first enlists us in this kind of petty grudge-match between Gen X and Gen Z characters; and then reminds us of how short-sighted that is.
After the mad scramble of two crabs in a bucket, a turn in the writing confirms that neither of these ragged and desperate individuals from the subordinate class is really the source of the problem here. Their behaviour is the result of a corporate culture: one which is obsessed with fostering leadership with the to clamber over the bodies of others; and which subsequently lacks the competence (or is too mired in its own “delegation is elevation” newspeak) to prevent those conflicts, even when they are unnecessary.
Minor issues mean I would stop short of saying this film was perfect when it comes to delivering on that front. For example, while awkward silence is important for the sake of the sound design, a slightly longer running time (10 minutes) could have provided space for more of a contrast in tones as tensions escalate.
For example, while keeping the hopes and fears of both characters vague works for the sake of the story’s analogy, it does mean Paermentier’s script misses some opportunities for comedic beats which will get more of a rise from audiences than what is served up here. The jokes are a little meek and mild, the feud lacks edge or originality, and worst of all, they squander the ability of the performers – who, while they are excellent, could have been given more to get their teeth into here.
Have A Great Weekend is pushing up against greatness. It has a worthy idea driving it, some fine performances, and excellent sound and set design delivered on a tiny budget. It just needs a little more oomph from its jokes, and a half-chance for its characters to temporarily let rip at each other – if only to emphasise where their similarities and contrasts really lie.
