John A
This movie was so depressing that I assume they tried to turn it around in final two minutes. I suppose 48 of 50 viewers in test audience had run from the theater screaming halfway through movie. The other two had fallen asleep. I will have nightmares thinking about main characters walk shuffle as I have never seen another human being move in such a manner.
Do yourself a favor and watch a television unplugged instead of this complete waste of time.
Thank you and good night!
Rated 0.5/5 Stars •
Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars
06/01/23
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Ellen G
Let the man stick it to you. It was such a depressing film with a sad message.
Rated 1.5/5 Stars •
Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars
05/28/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Although filmed in 2018, well before the current global pandemic, "Working Man" presents themes that could not be more relevant to our times. It is a powerful microcosm of the enormous challenges faced by the average worker when their job no longer exists. The film artfully focuses on the psychological effects, even trauma, associated with finding ways to fill the day after a lifetime of punching a clock. Peter Gerety artfully portrays a man utterly lost without his job that has defined him for most of his adult life. And Talia Shire, a reliably skilled and seasoned actress, softly but powerfully walks the line between allowing her husband to explore his options, odd as they may be, and empowering him to do the right thing for himself, his family and most especially his fellow workers. The larger story of how a factory closure can devastate a small town yields to the even more significant theme of standing by others to achieve positive change against all odds. In a very gritty and realistic manner, the film allows us to experience the angst, even desperation of the main characters but does not leave us without hope and that is what makes it so relevant to our times. Talia Shire's character understands the empowerment of loyalty to those who stand by you and the need to courageously take the next best step and do the right thing even when all seems to be lost.
The sometimes oppressive feel of life in small town America that permeates much of the film, is superbly offset and balanced by the much larger themes of personal fortitude, perseverance and pride in oneself and in others. The idea that solutions to larger problems can come from a very few smaller individuals is very well illustrated and leaves the audience feeling uplifted by the possibilities when individuals join together across racial or ethnic lines for the greater good. It teaches a valuable lesson about the need to empower each other to overcome even the greatest obstacles. It also demonstrates that one's greatest fears need not derail them permanently provided they remain sensitive to the needs of those around them. Out of the very humdrum routine of everyday life can emerge the most powerful and inspiring themes that elevate a person well above what might appear to be an uninspired life. Inspiration can come at any time in one's life most especially for those who stay the course without allowing their circumstances to defeat or fully define them.
In the end, this film is a successfully and warmly drawn story of the how the human spirit can triumph even in the darkest of times particularly for those who are not afraid to stand up for what is right and the subsequent re-birth that occurs for those who stay the course and not allow themselves to be defeated or taken out by the curveballs in life. It is a credible tale of personal redemption and a reminder that it is never too late to make a difference or to change the trajectory of one's life and the lives of those around us. In short, a realistically uplifting tale for our times.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
02/08/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Spoilers: Gerety (Allery) looks beaten by life. Slogging to work, metal lunch box and thermos bottle, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, old, tired, quiet. Then even that goes. No more work, as his plastic widget factory closes, and he and co-workers all line up for their final checks. He seems so lost, hardly talks to the wife, he won't stop the ritual of going to work, eating lunch alone, after breaking into the factory and doing actual work of cleaning the place, the machinery, also alone. Seems the story is man loses job, it breaks his mind. But that ain't it. What broke him had nothing to do with work. His son went mentally ill, then took his own life. It pretty much made Allery a zombie walking. When fellow laid-off co-worker Walter (Brown) sees him irrationally going to work, the two, mostly Walter, cook up a scheme to use the machinery and necessary resources still in the factory to keep producing, and line up buyers and even bring in the laid off co-workers to help, all of them occupying, sleeping in the place. The story seems to be workers fight to get jobs back, and do it. But that ain't it. Walter is a con man, but mostly an alcoholic with mental problems -- there are no buyers. So the jig is up at the factory, though reluctant leader Gerety gets more severance and some dough for the workers for the maverick work, as TV news had reported on the wildcat work and earned the workers sympathy. But what got fixed? Walter and Allery became friends after being comrades in arms at the factory, with Walter in a mental facility for at least a while, where Allery visits. And after Talia, in her raised voice a la Connie Corleone or Rocky's Adrian!, tells hubby Allery he stopped living long ago and she wants to live, he snaps out of it, sees the error of his tortured ways of losing his son, symbolically lays the son to rest for good, and resumes living, even dancing, at his and wifey's favorite restaurant. In the end, this is not about a working man but just a man. And life is what they win, beyond the searing, numbing sadness and illness. They seem to learn that losing a job means go get another job, already, as it's only a job -- but live. The piece and some dialogue may be pat, particularly on the surface, but the acting pulls it through pretty well. We feel for and root for these working people.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/07/23
Full Review
Audience Member
If you like hallmark movies you’ll probably rate it higher.
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
03/02/21
Full Review
Audience Member
We got to see this film thanks to AARP movies. My husband and I thought it was inspiring and really provoked a good discussion. The characters were interesting and I am sure the closing factory was relatable to many. It was not a predictable story and the twists made it very interesting. The ending was great!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/04/23
Full Review
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