Review of I, Daniel Blake (2016) by Michael S — 24 Jun 2017

One of the best movies of the year, one which overflows with empathy and compassion.

An elderly man, the title character, tries to get assistance from the government after his doctor says he should not work, but the bureaucrats say he is fit to work because he meets the physical requirements. Blake forms a friendship with another assistance-seeker, a young mother of two, and together they try to navigate the rules while struggling to put food on the table and not become homeless.

Loach focuses in on the daily lives and small details of these characters, who are desperately trying to keep their dignity intact while trying to eke out a living and get the help they deserve from a government that does its best to create bureaucratic obstacles, possibly in order to discourage people from seeking help, or maybe just to retain a sense of order and maybe dole out "tough love" - as if the people needing help also need condescension.

Highly political, yet not so partisan, it's a movie that tries to tell us about the humanity and dignity of all people, and that all deserve to live full lives. It's a must see any year, but feels extra relevant right now. A must see.