This forgotten Oscar winning short film is a vivid and hilarious treaty on young men who stay trapped on the vicious circle of trying to
get a job without having an experience...as experience is always needed for a certain job.
The smart/talented hero of "Work Experience" is Terence
(Lenny Henry), a black man living in UK simply trying to apply for a work position but it always feels like no one needs him, he arrives at the
place when bosses already "filled" the position. He goes into a crowded variety store, and despite suit and tie, he gets confused by shoppers as a
worker from the place. And what does he do? He simply pretends to be an employee, giving directions to customers, some instructions and even makes
a good sale. But someone's paying attention to him and his moves there.
I'm not gonna stick with the insane reality of having a job without experience when the latter is always required because the actual
reality is excused sometimes, but it's up to people to accept that the job offered without an experience are the ones, willing to give a person
a chance is one that many won't like to do (too much pride in the world), and sticking with it for the period you need or feel like it is a step
on the professional ladder. Terence approach is funny in everything, and it's basically a well-applied foot-on-the-door where each little thing
he does turn into great results - luck must be considered as well, and many people who started their careers in unusual manners had a special
someone observing things, in the right place at the right time. It's the perfect strike of luck, but also hard work, unpaid, just for the sake
of being available to others.
Like any comedy, the absurdity of situations contribute for us to relax for a while, laugh and enjoy about the weirdness of it all. Among the
funniest bit, is when he goes to lunch with a co-worker (Kathy Burke, from "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy") who never saw him before, knows he's new in
place and help him out in getting the place ID sticker. 35 years ago it's a little likely that something like that could happen in chaotic places;
a different reality today with surveillance, control and all. But it's fun to imagine. Amazing performances all around makes the viewing of "Work
Experience" is a real treat; and the film's theme will leave you thoughtful yet amused for a long time. 10/10.
