The Weekend

Toronto-born writer-director Stella Meghie (Jean of the Joneses) returns to the Festival with this winsome romantic comedy about old love, new love, and learning to love oneself. Fronted by Saturday Night Live alumna Sasheer Zamata, The Weekend chronicles three days of seductions, sabotage, and secrets unearthed.

Zadie (Zamata) is 29, a stand-up comedian and, as she puts it, "extremely single." It has been three years since she split with Bradford, though the two remain close friends. Close enough that when Zadie invites him to her mother's bed and breakfast, Bradford brings along his current girlfriend, Margo.

As the weekend progresses, no one is spared from Zadie's acerbic wit — Margo least of all. If things weren't uncomfortable enough, the three are soon joined by Aubrey, a handsome stranger from Montreal with no idea what sort of situation he's checked into.

Jealousies and desires are stoked in tandem. The isolated B&B, with its bucolic surroundings designed to create an air of tranquility only heightens the tension. Zadie is smart and funny, but also self-absorbed to the point where she cannot see the troubles brewing right under her nose.

Using a pleasingly light touch, Meghie imbues each of her characters with complexity, charisma, and the capacity for change. By the time The Weekend is over, none of them will return to their daily lives without a fresh perspective.

CAMERON BAILEY