Der Jobkiller

Although the context for this film is the political tension surrounding the introduction of the 35 working week, the soul of the film lies in the relationship between father and son and its power to evoke folk memories of other, epic, generational struggles.This power comes not so much from what is said but from what is NOT said - looks, gestures, silences.This makes it sound as though the film is ponderous but it isn't: the context makes sure that there's plenty of action and there is a lightness of touch in the family scenes.The two struggles ( familial and political)are perfectly intertwined with each adding meaning to the other.The Human Resources of the title therefore refers not just the rather inhuman term for personnel management - but also to the resources which father and son find within themselves to cope with their respective situations.

There is a naturalness about the location, the setting and the pace that makes this film a refreshing change from Hollywood High Tech. It is well worth seeing.

This was a positive surprise... I didn't have a clue what to expect when I rented Ressources Humaines, but it turned out to be a great film with fine performances from the cast (especially Jalil Lespert and Jean-Claude Vallod).

First, the premise is very interesting. What happen with the family dynamics when the sons and daughters are more educated than their parents? Of course, that is only one aspect of this film's premise. Second, the scene where Franck is yelling at, and blaming, his father is absolutely heartrending. Only a stone wouldn't react to that masterful scene. Third, "entertaining" is hardly the word to describe Ressources Humaines, but I have to say that this film seemed much shorter than tired comedies like Charlie's Angels and Scary Movie.

(8/10) Highly recommended.

It has all the pieces of docudrama. Not professional actors, clash between workers and managers, admirable performances - Jean Claude Vallot is the main example - Jalil Lepris giving the fair portrait of young man discovering the real side of reality. A film about family, illusions, youth , friendship and fundamental options. Admirable in each detail.

"Human Resources" is a very French look at labor and management. What I mean is that it takes a decidedly more adversarial look at this relationship...something more common there than in the US or our films.

Franck (Jalil Lespert) is going to be graduating soon from college. So, for his internship, he returns to the factory where his dad has long worked and Franck's job is in the front office...with management. He has arrived at an interesting time, as the relationship between the owners and the workers are deadlocked. The boss insists he's got the workers' best interests at heart and the communist labor leader simply wants nothing to do with him and her position is purely adversarial. Most viewers likely will assume this labor leader is an extremist...and it sure looks that way. Franck decides to try appealing directly to the workers...and he's wildly successful. What he doesn't know is that the boss really IS a duplicitous creep and he's using Franck. So what will Franck do when he learns the truth?

This film is a tough sell for many viewers. A film about labor and management is NOT a sexy or exciting idea for most viewers. It also is very slow at times and features a direct-to-video look. Still, despite all this, it is a powerful and well acted film that gets you to think.

I am French and I am very proud when I see that such a movie can be produced in my country - It's not a movie with Gerard Depardieu, it's a movie with real situations and real people, about working in a factory, blue collar and white collar confrontation, family feud. Acting is great with only one professional actor, the rest being amateurs. I highly recommend it. It's not an easy piece. But it will you make think.