Movie Breakdown: Two Days, One Night

People are doing traditional-style reviews all over the web, so we decided to try something different.  In each “breakdown” we’ll take a look at what a film’s marketing led us to believe, how the movie actually played, and then what we learned from it all.  Read on!

The Impression:

Marion Cotillard asks her co-workers to forfeit their bonuses so that she can keep her job and, you know, feed her family and stuff.  Awkward.

The Reality:

If you’re like me, then the trailers for Two Days, One Night probably left you thinking it’s the kind of film that’s comprised of nothing but uncomfortable, sad scenes that can only be watched if you’re already sort of upset-drunk and in the mood to cry for a while.  But it’s not!  Well, sort of.  There are definitely some heavy moments in it (as should be expected from a film riddled with desperation), but I was surprised at how uplifting Two Days, One Night turned out to be.  With every scene that flicked by I found myself less bummed out and more inspired by Marion Cotillard’s Sandra, a woman suffering from depression who has to rally herself to attempt a task that would be difficult for even the most confident person.  I also found the film’s various side-characters and their responses to Sandra’s situation to be immensely compelling.  If I were asked to give up money so that someone else could keep their job, could I do it?  Or would I do it?  I’d love to be able to tell you, but Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s impeccably crafted movie features a lot of scenarios that left me totally unsure of what I’d do.  If you ask me, that’s called good filmmaking.  Go see Two Days, One Night as soon as you can.

The Lesson:

Being an adult is hard.