The first third of the movie may make the viewer think it's a thriller with a detailed social background;but it is not: it is actually some kind of "Kramer vs Kramer "in the working class, and fortunately,without an exhausting trial; the ending remains open ,with a message of hope scribbled on a wall "we're waiting for you" ; unlike Meryl Streep in Benton's 1979 movie, who did soul- searching ,the mother who has run away from her house in "nos batailles " ,one does not really know her motives : probably too many ! it's not the rosy world of Dustin Hoffman 's advertising management .And in "nos batailles " ,the wife works too, in a small ladies' wear shop.
It's about working in a factory , the union - which takes a lot of Olivier's time - , the little victories - the promotion towards the end ,which may be a way to sweeten a harsh story - and big defeats (a suicide );Olivier reveals himself a wonderful father , one call a feminist ,for he easily comes to term with his unusual situation ; his mom offers support ,but she tells him that she,too, felt like leaving home for her late husband 's work and union commitment would claim too much of his time ;so does his sister,but she works in the entertainment industry without steady employment and they do not always understand each other; although he faces his hard times with an admirable resilience ,Olivier is just a man : sick and tired of playing all the roles in the house , he tears the postcard mom sent to pieces, he burst into tears ,and he even finds some time to give his colleagues pieces of advice .And in spite of everything,a certain joie de vivre survives : decorating the Xmas tree ,celebrating the boy's ninth birthday ...
We all have to stand together ,in the family unit or in the harsh world outside.
It's about working in a factory , the union - which takes a lot of Olivier's time - , the little victories - the promotion towards the end ,which may be a way to sweeten a harsh story - and big defeats (a suicide );Olivier reveals himself a wonderful father , one call a feminist ,for he easily comes to term with his unusual situation ; his mom offers support ,but she tells him that she,too, felt like leaving home for her late husband 's work and union commitment would claim too much of his time ;so does his sister,but she works in the entertainment industry without steady employment and they do not always understand each other; although he faces his hard times with an admirable resilience ,Olivier is just a man : sick and tired of playing all the roles in the house , he tears the postcard mom sent to pieces, he burst into tears ,and he even finds some time to give his colleagues pieces of advice .And in spite of everything,a certain joie de vivre survives : decorating the Xmas tree ,celebrating the boy's ninth birthday ...
We all have to stand together ,in the family unit or in the harsh world outside.