The Dardenne brothers delivered one of their strongest efforts to date last year with this tremendous social drama about wife and mother Sandra (Marion Cotillard), who is forced to fight for her job after her employer offers bonuses to her fellow employees if they vote to cover her shifts, resulting in her dismissal. Over the course of a weekend, Sandra visits her 16 co-workers in a desperate attempt to win them over, 12 Angry Men style, but naturally, the majority have a reason why they themselves are in dire need of the cash. It's a deeply humanist film which doesn't take sides, even if the viewer can't help but root for Sandra, who is played by Cotillard with enormous restraint, rightly earning an Oscar nomination for her work. The incredibly satisfying ending makes a potent political statement without ever talking down to its audience or making a big song and dance about it. Perhaps too slight for some, but a fantastic social commentary all the same.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
