THE LONGEST WEEK

US, 2014, 86 minutes, Colour.
Jason Bateman, Olivia Wilde, Billy Crudup, Tony Roberts, Jenny Slate.
Directed by Peter Glanz.

The Longest Week is a variation on the romantic comedy. It focuses on a wealthy middle-aged man, Conrad, played in his usual satisfying way by Jason Bateman. He has lived his life in luxury and without any responsibilities, supported by his parents. When he is disinherited, he moves in with his best friend, Dylan, Billy Crudup. On the subway, he has encountered an attractive young woman, Beatrice, Olivia Wilde, who suddenly appears with Dylan – and Conrad wins her away from him.

There are seven chapters in the film, for each day of the week, as well as an epilogue. The voice-over is by Larry Pine.

Most of the film shows the relationship between Conrad and Beatrice, their clicking, communicating – although he does not tell her the truth.

Throughout the film there are encounters between Conrad and his psychiatrist, played by veteran Tony Roberts.

Perhaps Conrad does learn something throughout the film, although he is prone to lie to himself and to exploit others. While he does write his novel, he receives his inheritance again and generally returns to his self-indulgent life.

There are many literary and philosophical allusions, classical music, and number of discussions about pretentiousness, something which viewers of this film accused it of.

1. Romantic comedy, variation on the theme? The man of illusions, disillusionment?

2. A New York story, New York City interviews, hotels, apartments, charity benefits, restaurants,

3. The voice-over and its information, effect, tone? Musical score?

4. The title, seven days, their being named, forming chapters of the film?

5. Conrad, his age, experience, hailing taxis at seven, living in luxury, the information for his planned great New York novel, his relationship with women, spoilt? The story of his parents, stranded on the island, the disliking each other, divorce, not wanting to support their son? Ousting from the hotel, no credit, his chauffeur refusing to drive him, the girl waiting, then walking off, not giving him any cash, leaving the dog? His travelling on the subway?

6. His decision, going to his friend, Dylan, the explanation of Dylan as an artist, his relationships, one woman at a time? Dylan taking Conrad in? Persuading him to go to the benefit? Dressing up, Beatrice as Dylan’s friend, Conrad admitting he had met Beatrice, reading Jane Austen, giving him a telephone number? His repetition of the promise to Dylan not to do anything with Beatrice?

7. His going out with Beatrice, the restaurant, talking, the sophistication, literature and culture, the discussions, going for the walk? The dancing, Intercut with the kissing? At home? In bed? The next morning and his having to deal with the relationship?

8. The continued relationship with Beatrice, Conrad not telling the truth, planning to but failing? His satisfaction with the relationship? Communicating with Beatrice? The outings, talk?

9. His discussions with Dylan, the truth, Dylan upset, the gift of the Volvo – and later retracting, then changing his mind? Dylan and the invitation to the theatre, the double date, the performance? Jocelyn, the comments after the play, her studies, pretentious, drinking, going home with Dylan? Leaving? His finding another Jocelyn?

10. The string quartet, Conrad leaving, later seeing Beatrice with Dylan, her explanation that she was trying to patch up the friendship? His over-reaction? Telling the truth about his financial situation?

11. The friendship with his chauffeur, the advice, lending him money? Conrad and his practical helplessness, for instance his laundry?

12. Moving out of Dylan’s house, moving in with Beatrice? Moving out? Taking her to the hotel, the pretence, taking his mother’s jewels, being caught?

13. His not seen Beatrice again? The relationship with Dylan and its development?

14. The constant sessions with his psychiatrist, listening, observations, Conrad deceiving himself even when he was being honest?

15. Trying to phone his mother, the news of their reconciliation, his going back to his comfortable life?

16. His writing his novel, the launch, his reading, the questions, his satisfaction?

17. The voice-over, telling the narrative, making the psychological comments, the moral comments?