2020 Movie
Dir. Ken Loach · Belgium, France · English
You'll never see the people delivering you packages the same way.
The British social-critical director of I, Daniel Blake and The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Ken Loach, delivers another scathing indictment of our economic system, the slashing of worker protection, and the gig economy. While these are indeed the themes of this affecting drama, Loach always makes it about the people. In this case, a struggling family man who tries to turn his life around by working in package delivery. Gig economy workers are usually freelancers who own their trucks and are made fully responsible for packages until they reach their respective recipients. From peeing in a bottle to save time to seamless monitoring by an overlord hand-held device, Sorry We Missed You manages to capture the indignity and gives you an intimate introduction to the human cost of having everything delivered to your doorstep at a moment’s notice. Thanks to Loach’s use of amateur actors, it has a raw and real feel to it without being melodramatic. Sorry We Missed You makes sure that the habitually unseen take center stage.
Ricky and his family have been fighting an uphill struggle against debt since the 2008 financial crash. An opportunity to wrestle back some independence appears with a shiny new van and the chance to run a franchise as a self-employed delivery driver. It's hard work, and his wife's job as a carer is no easier. The family unit is strong but when both are pulled in different directions everything comes to breaking point.
"What makes it one of Loach's best isn't just its rage (which is plentiful) but its compassion (which is overwhelming)."
— Bilge Ebiri
"Surely among Loach and Laverty's most sinewy efforts."
— Trevor Johnston
Cannes
1 nom
BAFTA
2 noms
Bilal Zouheir is the founder of A Good Movie to Watch. He is US-based and a member of the Nevada Film Critics Society. He grew up in Morocco, where he learned English from watching movies. Bilal's work with A Good Movie to Watch is focused on offering an alternative to streaming algorithms, which are often used as commercial tools by streaming services.
Simply the best comment on the demise of British cutlure and middle class.
Sad to the bone. Unforgettable. My wife and I shared this couples pain.
I’m not left wing. Im not a socialist but came out thinking how cruel the corporate world has been able to make society serve their interests- and we have allowed it by no ascribing to any belief ideals.
There is no movie more important to come out of UK this decade. Watch but be warned you might go to work very very angry the next day.