Review of I, Daniel Blake (2016) by Tor M — 27 Aug 2018

Daniel is a widowman and we follow him after a recent heart attack. The system that makes sure he get's some welfare money is making him sign a lot of papers, applying for several systems and making him take courses. He will probably come back to his work rather soon but the system makes it hard for him as some vital calls and letters never reach him. He is in the middle, shifted everywhere as he are treated in ways that seem unnecessarily complicated. No one helps him, they just give him plenty of stress. There's a good thing he is a smart, nice fella with his priorities right. He helps out a young mother of two, Katie, in his sparetime. Trying to get her on her feet. She is in the same system and really trouble with money.

Fantastic pace and build up here, and super acting by the two leads, mixing the parallel stories with big success. The protagonist is a tremendous character in this film that takes a solid punch at the system. There's also a superb climax in this light but also hardhitting film when needed.

8 out of 10 cans of paint.