User reviews

Through a series of interviews and candid shots, this short film lays out the reality of America (and most countries) where the poorest work the hardest, the richest intellectually observe from their point of comfort, and those in the middle work like those below but spend like they are the rich. It does this in a way that mostly observes, although it does use interviews to help draw what it wants from the people - not just observing them.

It is an approach that works pretty well, and it doesn't push the message down our throats by overegging it. It didn't need to though, as the differences in the class and income structure is clear. Those working the hardest put a brave face on it, and seem genuine happy with their work and opportunity, even if it is hard and the type of work that those higher up the tree wouldn't do for twice the money. The opening and closing valet in particular struck me, as he celebrates his money and nice day - even though the money is less than the people he worked for spent on drink each, and his work was the type they would see as lowest of the low. The lines and wear on his face tell us that he is genuine though, that certainly he will have harder and less profitable days than this one - thus making his situation starker and depressing in the context of the film.

By avoiding the temptation to caricature or stereotype, the film lets the differences speak for themselves and it is engaging. It probably could have been more impacting or emotive if it had pushed buttons deliberately, and played to its point, but it is a better and more rounded film with what it does here.