Review of Two Days, One Night (2014) by Amanda C — 03 Mar 2015

Perfect in it's simplicity, Two Days, One Night gives us a story that we rarely see on film in such a realistic manner. When Sandra is ready to return to work after time off to recover from depression, she discovers that her coworkers have opted to let her go in order to secure their bonuses for the next year.

After her boss agrees to a second vote, Sandra has the weekend to convince them to change their minds. It's a simple and repetitive story that carries weight because there is something real at stake.

These are not movie people who are living in apartments beyond their means, they are the true working class, struggling for every penny. There is very little malice towards Sandra, most are sympathetic, but they're despirate as well.

This subtle dynamic plays out, slowly building tension that you don't notice until the final moments. Marion Cotillard brings everything she has to her role, not just grounding the film, but providing a relatable protagonist who you can get behind without needing to vilify those around her.