Working Man

Working Man-720P

Working Man-480P

Working Man-360P

Working Man-720P

Working Man-480P

Working Man-360P

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.

Pleasantly interesting human-interest story centered on the theme of "Loss". Though the Loss here is prominently Work, the central characters, Allery, Walter & Iola also share deeper losses that will eventually bring them closer together. Sometimes you need to look inward to find solutions to Today's challenges, but deeper still to conquer the long-term impediments to True Happiness - the most enduring take-away from this little tale.

Great story with the surprise twist of struggles with mental illness. The script and directing of Robert Jury was outstanding.. Peter Gerety was fantastic in his roll.

There are two ways to look at this film: The way I believe the director intended, to be touching / hopeful, and the way he didn't, which displays a harrowing look at Americans and how we define "self-worth" in our society. On the brighter side of things, the message the director wants you to get from the film, is that people just want to feel useful / to have purpose, and that we can get through anything if people really "see" us and are there for each other. I get that and can appreciate the message. It's heartfelt and needed in these times. I also enjoyed the setting, as being born and raised in the Midwest myself the setting was extremely familiar to me. My only complaint with "the message" as delivered in this film was the uneven acting on display, some people really nailed their part, like the lead Peter Gerety, others? Not so much. But my larger complaint with this film was what the director saw as strength and the triumph of the human spirit, I saw as an almost horror show of sorts. The horror show that is American capitalism. Every one of the workers was portrayed as down on their luck, miserable humans who just desperately "wanted to work", even, ridiculously, for free if they have to. "I just want to work" these desperate, poor fools yell out repeatedly throughout the film. That's some Animal Farm dystopia on display right there. A man / woman are not their jobs, it's not who they are, it's just a job. Enslaving yourself to work and desperately clawing at factory gates to work for free is a capitalism "wet dream" I suppose for the sake of capitalism itself, but it's horrifying to think what these people were willing to subject themselves to, and we're supposed to think this is...romantic? Um, no, sorry, it's not. I liked the story, loved some of the acting, but the message was cold and hollow, and perfectly sums up why the American middle class is dying.