On the surface, Laurent Cantet's factory-based Human Resources doesn't seem very promising. But Cantet, like so many other French directors, has a blunt, documentarian's eye for detail. This often powerful little movie (now available on DVD from Image Entertainment) is full of sharp observations about father-son relationships and the difficulties of the working class. It's hard to imagine an American director handling the material with the intense focus that Cantet brings to it. It's harder still to imagine such a picture getting a release in the states, unless it starred Vin Diesel.
Jalil Lespert plays Franck, a college student who accepts an internship in the human resources department of the same factory where his father (Jean-Claud Vallod) has been saddled with a demoralizing job for over 30 years. When Franck gets there, the workers are having trouble with the factory's management, and their union isn't willing to cooperate in a negotiation process. Franck attempts to correct the situation, but only gives more ammunition to the big bosses.
Eventually, the company develops a plan to sack several employees, including Franck's father. This, as you might expect, causes a great deal of tension, and Franck has to make some tough decisions about his career and loyalty to his blue-collar family. You get the feeling Bruce Springsteen would love this movie.
Cantet obviously knew what he was trying to a accomplish here. His most startling move was to cast the entire picture with non-professional actors, outside of Lespert. He also didn't add music to the soundtrack, which lends another degree of documentary-like realism to the proceedings. The performances, across the board, are raw and heartfelt, with Vallod's work being every bit as impressive as Lespert's. These performers get to the cores of their characters in a hurry, with no needless actorly flourishes.
There aren't many extras to speak of. The original French trailer is included, as well as what amounts to a one-paragraph bio of Cantet. However, the film itself is what's important. The image is properly gritty, although some of that grit seems to come from a scratched negative, and the color separation is only so-so. But that definitely adds to the flavor. You need to watch this movie if you haven't seen it already - and odds are you haven't. You may well end up wanting to own it.
For more information about Human Resources, visit Image Entertainment. To order Human Resources, go to TCM Shopping.
by Paul Tatara
