I, Daniel Blake (2017)

What makes it different from others?

Dreadfully Boring

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

I watched 'I Daniel Blake' and it just shocked me how much truth it portrayed. Not only in the U.K. but in other countries also. Food banks in this day and age? What a disgrace, greed and ignorance will be etched into this era. Daniel Blake captures my mood and despair trying to compete with bureaucracy after bureaucracy, paper work, online forms that crash half way through. No wonder people commit suicide, but Daniel fights back for all he's worth and befriends a young girl with two children who's also down on her luck trying to survive. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, it made me feel happy at those who cared and angry at those who didn't.

This is all real life. It might not be an actual true story as such, but it is all still very much the truth. Anyone who has had to go through the benefit system in the UK will know how accurate this film is and, no matter how tough you think you are, it will be hard not to shed a tear when watching this film. Although not under exactly the same circumstances as Daniel Blake, I have experienced the frustrating bureaucracy of having to go to a Job Center and try to sort out benefits. I know that cripplingly humiliating feeling of being talked to like you are worthless and lazy even though you desperately want a job. Every time a bureaucratic DWP character mentioned 'The Decision Maker' it made me want to shout at my screen. I have heard those words in real life. I have dealt with those evil government robots. Special mention to a particular man who worked at the Chorlton, Manchester job center around 2011 who made me feel horrible and who couldn't even crack a smile and say well done when I finally did find work. Loads of people hated you mate and I'm sorry that your life was obviously so utterly devoid of happiness and love. (Sorry, i've gone off on one, its just that this film has brought back a lot of memories!)This film should be shown to all civil servants, government officials and definitely all politicians in the UK as a guide of how NOT to operate. I hope that one day soon we'll be able to watch I, Daniel Blake and feel glad that times have changed and people aren't experiencing the unjust struggles which this film portrays.

A good look into the benefits system in place in England, and the sometimes unjust way it goes about helping people. However, it can be a little stereotypical in its view, with many being either extremely cruel or nice. There is no in between. The editing and cinematography are decent, as it uses social realist techniques. It really reflects the story and allows for the story to take centre stage. Most of the actors are quite good, and manage to give heartbreaking performances. Definitely worth a look!

"I, Daniel Blake" follows two main characters, Daniel and Katie who struggle to survive in Newcastle, Northern England, with solidarity as their only weapon. The realism of the film and the well done characters who look real and believable, make it achieve its goal.These people are not just living pictures or ghosts, and we are the next. It is a film that punches our stomach for one hour and forty minutes, introducing us to the dystopian reality of our era. A dystopia (also called TINA) that we are well trained to ignore.