1193. I, Daniel Blake

I, Daniel Blake
2016
Directed by Ken Loach

I think Americans, okay, me, tend to romanticize the healthcare or welfare systems of other Western countries like the U.K. This film does a good job of demonstrating that bureaucracies are a nightmare no matter where you go. 

Daniel Blake is a 59-year-old joiner who recently suffered a heart attack. His cardiologist has deemed him unfit to work, but the government has denied him Employment and Support Allowance. He applies for an appeal, but is thwarted at every turn by the bureaucratic process. At the same time, he meets single mother Katie, who is also being overlooked by the system.

The entire point of this film seems to be to take a swipe at the state, and the movie did a good job of showcasing how intentionally frustrating the process is for people seeking help from the government. Daniel Blake was an easy person to connect with, and I enjoyed watching his relationship with Katie.

It wasn't the most subtle film, but parts of the movie were really powerful and rewarding. Not a film I'll forget anytime soon.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Shot in chronological order.

What happens to Kate at the food bank happened to a real woman in Glasgow that Paul Laverty, the scriptwriter, met.

507. Kes

Kes
1969
Directed by Ken Loach

This is the last film from the 1960s!!!  It has really been a rocky send off, but I suppose that makes it easier to say goodbye to this decade.

Is there ever a film about British school children that isn't horrifying?  I hope frequent commentator, Ray, did not have it so bad.  This is the story of Billy Casper, who is bullied by pretty much everyone, He finds solace in training a falcon, which, in a not so subtle metaphor, represent the wings he desires to fly away with.

So here is a film that I think a lot of people will find emotional, but I found to be a bit lacking.  For one thing, the movie was very predictable.  Maybe this isn't the film's fault, since the movie has probably been copied so many times, but it still made the experience significantly less enjoyable.  For another thing, I am not a huge fan of films starring kids and this kid is about as whiny as they come.

Overall, one that I would have happily skipped.

RATING: **---

Interesting Facts:

Some of the children were actually beaten by the actor who played the headmaster.  They were all paid a bonus of 50 pence.  Um...

The Yorkshire accents in this film make it somewhat difficult to understand for both British and American audiences.  Parts of the movie were dubbed because of this.