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"All
Too 'Human'"
by Scott Mantz
"Human Resources"
Jalil Lespert,
Jean-Claude Vallod
Directed by Laurent Cantet
Few films have
captured the drone-like atmosphere of the white collar workplace
quite like last year's "Office Space," but it didn't take a Hollywood
film to tell us what we already know...work sucks. If it was fun,
then they wouldn't call it "work." Now from France comes "Human
Resources," and not since "Norma Rae" has a film captured the blue
collar lifestyle in all its depressing glory. Incredibly powerful,
deeply engrossing, superbly acted, and inevitably heartbreaking,
"Human Resources" is one film you won't want to miss.
Franck (Jalil
Lespert) comes home from business school to take an internship in
the Human Resources Department of the factory where his father (Jean-Claude
Vallod) has worked for 30 years. The factory is all that Franck
has ever known, but he is now going to see it in a whole new light.
The unions are in a tussle with upper management over the introduction
of the 35-hour work week. Ever the eager-beaver, Franck takes it
upon himself to negotiate a compromise that will benefit both management
and the unions. As a result, 12 people will wind up losing their
jobs - including Franck's father - and Franck learns the hard way
that it's lonely at the top.
"Human Resources"
actually has a lot in common with last year's Best Picture nominee
"The Insider." By mixing real emotion with an almost documentary-like
feel, the film takes what is potentially a boring subject and makes
it incredibly fascinating. The tension is felt not only at work,
but at home as well, with the relationship between Franck and his
conservative play-it-safe father coming to a head. He is a just
a few years away from retirement, and he lets his pride get in the
way of doing what's right for himself, his co-workers, and his family.
Even more powerful
is the internal conflict that Franck must face. Thanks to his newfound
position, he is able to show off his talents, but he is neither
at home with the big wigs nor is he comfortable with his old friends.
Only when confronted by worker Alain (Didier Emile-Woldemard) does
he even begin to understand that not everything is going to be hunky-dory
at the workplace. It's not a glamorous job, and everybody has to
deal with it in his or her own way. A further confrontation with
union organizer Danielle (Danielle Arnoux) only deepens Franck's
inner struggle to choose between doing what's right for his career
and doing what's right for his co-workers and his family.
Jalil Lespert
is astounding as Franck, while Jean-Claude Vallod puts in a gut-wrenching,
heartfelt, and understated performance as the father who walks a
fine line between being proud and being stubborn. He finally opens
his eyes to his son, realizing that as different as they are, the
apple doesn't fall that far from the tree. Didier Emile-Woldemard
shines as the factory worker who makes a connection to Lespert,
while real-life union organizer Danielle Melador gives a powerful,
passionate, and even a slightly intimidating performance as the
factory union administrator.
Ultimately,
"Human Resources" examines the absurdity of choosing occupation
over family, when in fact, family is all that matters. Jobs come
and go, but family is always there. It doesn't matter who you are,
what you do, or what the bottom line is, your family isn't going
to fire you.
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