Binge has released the much-anticipated screen adaptation of The Five Star Weekend.
As it opens, food influencer Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner) learns that her husband Matthew (Josh Hamilton), has died in a car accident just before Christmas.
Six months later, while appearing on the Today Show, she has an emotional breakdown live on air, forcing Hollis into a break to grieve. Instead, she summons her four closest girlfriends, one from each stage of her life, to a weekend of fun at her house in Nantucket- her childhood best friend Tatum (Chloe Sevigny), who never left the island and battling a potential medical issue; Dru-Ann (Regina Hall), the college bestie and roommate who’s unapologetic ambition and facing cancellation from her management job; Brooke (D’Arcy Carden), who Hollis met in her thirties through her daughter Caroline (Harlow Jane); and a mysterious fifth star, Gigi (Gemma Chan), Hollis’ online friends who she has never actually met.
While all of them are friends with Hollis, this group aren’t exactly besties with each other but as each character’s story comes into focus, its clear each person is there for Hollis amongst their own personal dramas.
The group is joined by Caroline, who is struggling in the wake of her father’s death. She’s struggling to continue studying pre-med, a path she chose to follow in her father’s surgical footsteps, but with grades slipping, she’s feeling lost and considering switching majors. She doesn’t know how to broach it and also discuss her grief with her mum.
Garner leads an all star cast and its definitely a showcase of her range, but all leads get to shine as the 8 episodes play out.
Based on the book by Elin Hilderbrand, The Five Star Weekend gives the power of friendship and showrunner Bekah Brunstetter keeps things tight with episodes that peel back the layers like an onion.
4 stars
Episodes 1 and 2 are available now to stream on Binge and Foxtel On Demand. Episodes 3-8 will be available to stream weekly each Thursday
