Review of It's a Free World... (2007) by Kurt B — 22 Sep 2008

Ken Loach has always made films for the Ken Loach genre loving movie goers and continues to do so. Loach and his writer Laverty call things like they really are and it's difficult when the grim reality isn't scruffy like in "Kes" or grandiose like in "The Wind That Shakes The Barley".

This film portrays some very complex morality, as such a thing exists in the camp of job recruiters and the risk of illegal employment. Loach and Laverty contemplate how far a person, specifically a woman, would go to live the life they feel they deserve. Angie goes very far and suffers dire consequences.

A few people I've read reviews from condemn the movie for Angie's digusting behavior. They're upset because despite the horrible events that occur because of her choices she learns nothing. Yet she does, the lesson isn't a moral one.

This is real life.

She learned that she shouldn't fuck with the wrong people and that she's got to be tougher if she wants to succeed.

This is the social realist version of "There Will Be Blood" people. What's so brilliant about this movie is that our immoral bloodthirsty capitalist is a blonde, sexy, single mom who ignores the wrongs she is committing. It's richer than "PT Anderson's" lofty look at dark enterprising. This kind of betrayal and depravity is palpable!

It really is her son and fuck the world. Ayn Rand would be strangely proud. So is this is an indictment on what Capitalist society has brought us to? or a celebration of the virtue of selfishness? I'm not sure.

Let me know if there's another movie out there with so much to say.The effect it has is savage. This movie sucker punches the viewer in the stomach, leaving them with nothing to say, giving you time to think, and then if the viewer wants, another person will hear them speak.

That said. It's not Loach's best movie. The film is very uneven with it's story and cinematic form. I'm not sure what Loach's camera was trying to say. It goes without saying that he's never been one to glamorize his photography yet still I was left wanting more with this visual venture. Ideas however, can't get past him. nor can his characteristic wit and talent for capturing subtle performances.

After a large endeavor like "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" I can imagine he wanted to take it a little easier this time around. The thing is, a more dexterous handling of the pacing and the visuals would help make such a heavy subject simpler to grasp.

Go see this if it ever even hits Blockbuster or Netflix. There's nothing like it from American filmmakers that's for sure.