Despite the incredible number of positive reviews this movie has gotten, I can not give it more than two stars. One star for Marion Cotillard’s performance and one star for the relevance of the topic presented.
This deliberately slow, repetitive, and boring plot takes place in a poor Flemish area of Belgium soon after the 2008 recession. A woman returning to work after four months out due to a depression finds out that she is about to get fired unless her coworkers sacrifice their year end bonuses.
Unemployment is excruciatingly stressful not just for the fired person but for all who depend on that person’s income and even for the ones having to make such a cruel decision. Unemployment comes with social consequences too and, if prolonged, it can leave people feeling worthless, unappreciated, and at the mercy of others for survival. The immediate lack of self sufficiency feels like a very dark future.
I would like to be more explicit at describing the things I did not like about the plot but that would absolutely spoil it for the viewer so I rather leave you with some questions:
- What kind of managerial decision was that?
- No one could come with a better plan?
- Did she really want to keep that job?
- Was it fair to attempt to convince others when you are not convinced yourself?
- Was she actually ready to return to work?
- If the work could be done with one person less, what was she supposed to do once back? reduce productivity?
- What kind of alternative managerial option was that at the end?
- Wouldn’t you fire that manager instead?
- All day long walking around with a pink shirt and she wears it again for crucial Monday?
When a plot starts making no sense to the point of distracting me because I am questioning its logic, I begin to mistrust the emotions that the movie is supposed to be conveying and it all becomes absurd to me.