Ken Loach is one of the stalwarts of the British film industry. And at age 80, he's made one of his best films, a worthy Palm D'Or winner, a scathing portrait of the modern English welfare state that keeps its characters human and engaging, simultaneously strongly political and specifically personal. It's as much about the decency of people as it is about the indecency of the systems that are meant to protect them but instead antagonise them.
The story is pretty simple: Daniel is a widower and a carpenter, but his recent heart attack means he can't work. But when his application for health benefits is knocked back, he's required to sign on as a job-seeker, even though he medically can't take any jobs that he's offered. While he waits for his appeal to be heard, he befriends a single mother whose state housing is on the other side of the country to any of her family, and helps her look after the kids as she tries to keep their family going.
Surprisingly, this isn't a miserable slog - this is a constantly lively story. Daniel himself is a pragmatic, practical, striving figure of great compassion and soul, and the characters are given their dignity even in the most trying of circumstances. We are engaged, enthralled, heartbroken and enraged. This is a masterwork from a director at the top of his game. Don't miss it.
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