New award winning movie “I Daniel Blake” – take a hanky!
It’s hard to write a review of this film in many ways especially as the characters are so realistic and natural that one can barely believe they are acting.
Ken Loach won the Palme D’Or at Cannes 2016 for this film and it was written by a sensitive writer who has worked for him before, Paul Laverty. It looks at everyday matters for a working class protagonist who has had heart difficulties, lost his wife and found himself off sick with little knowledge of computers or the methods of getting benefits from the system especially as the health advisers got their story totally wrong and are indulging in vicious bullying of Dan which sheds light on a benefits system that is archaic, cruel and grossly incompetent . In walks Katie and her two young children fresh from London who have set up home in Newcastle and who welcome Dan’s help. He is a gentle lyrical man who sorts out their house, takes them to the food bank and tries to stop Katy working as a call girl which she does to make ends meet after being caught shoplifting and being invited to practice in prostitution. Meanwhile Dan’s life is toboganning fast downhill and he has to sell his furniture to pay for his heating. His ability with computers is negligible and when he gets his benefits stopped he takes his anger to task and rebels which results in a police caution.
Eventually the benefits system invites him to re-apply for the correct one which is a sickness related benefit due to his weak heart and Katie comes to give him support. You won’t find spoilers in this review – you will have to watch the film to see what happens.
A sub-plot is Dan’s neighbour who is busy making money with a foreign scam but is a friendly man who knows Dan is some kind of trouble, but Dan is too proud to let him know. Another side plot is Dan with his carpentry skills helping Katie’s children to make wooden mobiles.
Back to the acting:- Dave Johns playing Daniel Blake was cool and convincing in his role and Hayley Squires as Katy, suitably downtrodden and struggling desperately to care for her children. Sharon Percy as one of the job centre dominatrixes is also a phenomenon. Yes there are parts of the story you are urged to laugh along with but the subject matter degrades the state benefits system and therefore this film will not only appeal to many caring people who are comfortably off but also those who have possibly experienced similar treatment by the benefits system in advancing years (Dan is 59) or indeed at any times in their lives where they have needed financial support.
Ken Loach’s films are enduringly popular though some are considered controversial and shown in many parts of Europe and the world. I hope that the people who are cast as mean and uncaring who will no doubt be eventually watched by employees of the benefits system will learn from the story. Ken recently got awarded an Auteur award at The Raindance Film Festival. The film is not really easy viewing but is a change from hugely expensive action dramas or indeed most comedies and is memorable in its simplicity and gravitas.
Enjoy
Penny Nair Price