The Assistant (2019)

I found this a delightful film to watch, but precisely in all the aspects for which the film was not made. The office life (although I wouldn't want to work in that atmosphere myself), that first fifteen minutes where we watch Garner simply doing her job and doing it well—I find scenes like that truly fantastic. It was precisely that longer central scene with the Head of HR that I found far too explicit and also poorly acted by that gentleman in that scene.

Then I found the behavior of the two immediate colleagues much better acted. Sexism likely plays a role here, but I think it is even more the entire company culture in which the youngest/newest simply has it harder and is treated like a piece of dirt. As if those two colleagues of hers had experienced that themselves before and now want to do it to her. Because when the boss is angry again they simply help her out with the right tone in an apology email, you get the impression that they see her as a kindred spirit. And it was precisely that dynamic that captivated me endlessly. I also thought Garner acted very well and it was visually well done too, with occasional nice camera angles, a pleasant color palette, and beautiful, fitting static shots, 4.0*.

Translated from Dutch · View original

A fine film in which not much happens, but in which an expectation continuously gleams beneath the surface.

The story follows a young woman, Jane (Julia Garner), who has just started working as an assistant at a production company. Her immediate boss (according to her) enjoys rolling around with a young girl now and then, and she has quite a bit of trouble with that. The description mentions abuse, but I didn't notice that even once. I did notice that he likes young people, young girls with long dark hair and around 18 years old.

She confronts someone from HR (Human Resources), the former PZ (Personnel Affairs), about this once, but that is her only resistance against the behavior of her boss, who, by the way, is happily married to a woman whose bank cards he sometimes has blocked on purpose.

A quietly meandering film with the story set on Monday morning and afternoon, where we get to witness how pleasant or unpleasant it is to work in such an office.

Not a film recommended for those who like action and pace!

Due to the acting performances and the underlying expectations, which may or may not be met, a 7+.

Translated from Dutch · View original

How lonely can someone be amidst a crowd? Julia Garner is brilliant in the role of the young assistant who has to do all the dirty work and has a hard time with her boss and colleagues. But not hard in a Hollywood way. It lies in the small, spiteful things. The obviousness that she has to fix everything, the ingratitude when something goes wrong, despite her efforts to get everything in order as well as possible. While she is having a hard time, she occasionally hears people around her say that she is doing a good job. And what an honor it is for her to be allowed to work there. Although those compliments do sound ambivalent, as if it is normal that she is treated this way and that things around her happen at work.

This is a slow, simple film. Don't expect big Hollywood dramas or characters. But that is precisely the film's strength: how those many small incidents can get under someone's skin. That sexism and power are not just major crimes, but are also present in small actions. The film is beautifully staged. The color of desk lamps and fluorescent tubes that dim slightly. The seemingly simple setting contributes to that tension. And Julia Garner, in particular, is strong in the lead role. You sense the building tension and the stress she carries with her, like a balloon that could suddenly burst.

Translated from Dutch · View original