Tag Archives: The Immigrant

Two Days, One Night (2014)

Two Days, One Night film review.

My Ratings: 4/5.

A few years back i watched a film named The Kid with a Bike directed by two brothers from Belgium, and was in awe with the unique slow and sensitive narrative and the genuineness of the characters. 

The Dardenne brothers (Jean-Pierre DardenneLuc Dardenne) have done it again and their latest feature Two Days, One Night is probably their best signature work till date.

The film is Belgium’s official submission to the  Best Foreign Language Film category for the Oscars.

The protagonist Sandra (Marion Cotillardhas got two days and one night time to individually meet up with all her colleagues and convince them to let go of the tempting bonus money and instead vote for her. If they don’t, Sandra looses her job. 

The basic plot of the film can’t be any simpler than this but it’s the execution that makes all the difference in the world.

Two-Days-One-Night-poster3The character of Sandra is so well distinguished, a wife and a mother; her struggle with depression, her quest to maintain dignity, her love for her family and even her respect for her co-workers decisions. A woman who is both strong and vulnerable at the same time.

And then of course the simple presence of mesmerizing French actress and singer Marion Cotillard – what a performance! She has done excellent work in many of her past films including InceptionRust and Bone, and very recently The Immigrant but this film is something special.

Long takes, simple camera angles, natural dialogues and flawless acting maintains the much needed super-realistic feel and saves the film from being repetitive after a point.

Two Days, One Night is not as simple as it looks apparently. The film has many layers and it cleverly reflects on our current society and it’s inhabitants. It’s also about family bonding (the tremendous support Sandra gets from her husband Manu, played by Fabrizio Rongione) and friendship and trust. It’s about making a difficult choice between being selfish or being human.

Take some time out, relax and switch off your cell phone. Only then you will be able to truly enjoy Two Days, One Night. Don’t you dare miss it.