I've read review after review and cannot believe that essentially the only issues/complaints about this film are with regard to the (slow) pace. It isn't the fastest moving film, but I don't think that detracts from it, nor do I take issue with the acting (which I think is very good overall). The story itself is certainly unique.....
Here are my problems with the film --- I have a hard time with the story itself. Is it from living in the US? The idea that a company would let it's employees decide the fate of another worker is absurd to me. It's not fair to anyone and serves as a morale killer (as witnessed in the film). It sets employee against employee and certainly does not necessarily benefit the company. It made the film a bit difficult to watch. Yes, Sandra needs her job...but so does everyone else! Why, as the viewer, should we be pulling for her? I just didn't "feel it".
When, at the end of the film, Sandra says "we put up a good fight", I wanted to scream. What fight??!! You didn't go up against a huge corrupt union or a multi-billion dollar company, you went door to door making your co-workers feel uncomfortable and trying to guilt them into losing their bonuses. And her husband. Some reviews refer to his "support" of Sandra. In my mind, he comes off as a non-participant at best and reckless at worst. He doesn't do anything but drive her around and push her when she wants to stop....even after she tries to kill herself! After that (and based on her shaky mental history), he should have said "no more".
I guess the assumption is that finding another job is not easy in this small town (?), but it's certainly an option...but it is not even mentioned until the very end. It might have made the film less frustrating had the viewer thought "well, finding another job is next to impossible". Maybe if you live in Belgium, this is more obvious? Perhaps.
As much as I appreciated it on certain levels, the film ultimately frustrated me.
Here are my problems with the film --- I have a hard time with the story itself. Is it from living in the US? The idea that a company would let it's employees decide the fate of another worker is absurd to me. It's not fair to anyone and serves as a morale killer (as witnessed in the film). It sets employee against employee and certainly does not necessarily benefit the company. It made the film a bit difficult to watch. Yes, Sandra needs her job...but so does everyone else! Why, as the viewer, should we be pulling for her? I just didn't "feel it".
When, at the end of the film, Sandra says "we put up a good fight", I wanted to scream. What fight??!! You didn't go up against a huge corrupt union or a multi-billion dollar company, you went door to door making your co-workers feel uncomfortable and trying to guilt them into losing their bonuses. And her husband. Some reviews refer to his "support" of Sandra. In my mind, he comes off as a non-participant at best and reckless at worst. He doesn't do anything but drive her around and push her when she wants to stop....even after she tries to kill herself! After that (and based on her shaky mental history), he should have said "no more".
I guess the assumption is that finding another job is not easy in this small town (?), but it's certainly an option...but it is not even mentioned until the very end. It might have made the film less frustrating had the viewer thought "well, finding another job is next to impossible". Maybe if you live in Belgium, this is more obvious? Perhaps.
As much as I appreciated it on certain levels, the film ultimately frustrated me.