THE ASSISTANT (2019)

 

Written & Directed by: Kitty Green Cinematography: Michael Latham Editor: Kitty Green & Blair Mclendon

Cast: Julia Garner, Jon Orsini, Roy Kulz, Dagmara Dominczyk, Alexander Chaplin, Clara Wong, Patrick Breen, Juliana Canfield, Matthew Macfadyen, Jay O. Sanders, Kristine Froseth 

A searing look at a day in the life of an assistant to a powerful executive. As Jane follows her daily routine, she grows increasingly aware of the insidious abuse that threatens every aspect of her position.

This film makes you feel the tension throughout the film. Even though you pretty much are going through the young lady’s Day to day workday.

Though she is never directly a victim more notices that there is a problem and encountering the victims. She is a victim of not only his bullying and controlling nature. As he is a ticket to her success in what she wants to pursue. But also from the ambivalent attitude of those around her. Who enables his behavior and almost normalizes it. As some kind of Faustian deal. As he is allowed to take what he wants In Exchange he fulfills promises sometimes.

It’s Obvious who this film is based on and the situations and cases. Luckily we never actually see any of the action or him the boss. 

We are introduced to some of the victims before and after. We never see this monster of a boss because it would be hard enough to personify but also makes it much scarier seeing the aftermath and destruction biz so knowing what he is capable of and leaving our imagination to fester with these images in our imagination.

Instead, we are around from the aftermath of the victims and the investigations if any. As well as the cleaning up of crime scenes.

Though even not shown. We can feel for the victims and knowing this is based on true stories makes it all the more terrifying.

Especially horrific are her fellow employees who seem ambivalent to it all. As they just want to go about their day-to-day and are so used to his behavior that it is second nature and more or less anyone liked her asking questions or wanting to make reports interrupts the flow causing problems. So she is punished for even thinking about reporting his behavior. When she seems to be the only one caring.

We don't learn too much about her character before or during. As the film offers a sharp and crisp setting but presents everything more as banal. Before subtly bringing up more the horrible aspects of the story. 

So that by the end the film is really a moral question. Is she willing to sell her soul for her dreams to come true or will she choose to do the right thing but maybe never be successful In The business she wants to be In.

The film shows the biases In The workplace as every male character seems to be in a position of power. Even when on equal footing they behave like they are in charge and most of them are nameless throughout the film as they are more Interchangeable but with similar attitudes just different positions 

The film allows itself to be built off of a famous true crown case of sorts to build an identifiable story of injustice that many women face. As well as letting the film be a character piece while also showcasing other issues and mindsets through lead to these sort of things happening and probably are still happening at other offices 

Grade: B+