Watch The Measure of a Man

Set in modern-day France, The Measure of a Man is a powerful exploration of what it means to find purpose and dignity in the face of economic hardship. Vincent Lindon stars as Thierry, a middle-aged man who has been out of work for over a year. As the film opens, we see him in the middle of a job interview, which ends abruptly when the interviewer tells him they've decided to go with another candidate. It's a blow to Thierry, who's been applying for jobs for months with little success. As he navigates the complex French welfare system and tries to keep his family afloat, he begins to feel increasingly helpless and frustrated.

The film is quiet and contemplative, and much of the drama comes from the way it depicts the small indignities and humiliations that come with unemployment. Whether it's stealing food from a grocery store or standing in line to receive a government handout, Thierry is constantly reminded of his diminished status in society. Even when he does manage to find a job, it's a low-paying position at a warehouse that requires him to stand for hours on end and sort through packages.

Director Stephane Brize has a keen eye for the quiet rhythms of everyday life, and he captures Thierry's struggles with a sense of empathy and honesty. One of the film's most striking scenes comes when Thierry is tasked with firing one of his coworkers. As he watches the man plead for his job, Thierry is forced to confront the fact that he, too, is just one bad break away from being in the same position.

Throughout the film, Lindon gives a remarkable performance, conveying both the exhaustion and the determination that comes with Thierry's situation. He's a man who's been pushed to the brink, but who still holds onto his sense of dignity and self-respect.

The Measure of a Man also touches on broader themes, such as the changing nature of work and the growing divide between the haves and have-nots. At one point, Thierry attends a job fair where he's confronted with the slick marketing materials of companies that have no interest in hiring someone like him. It's a sobering moment that encapsulates the film's larger message about the dehumanizing effects of capitalism.

Ultimately, though, the film is a character study, and it's a testament to Brize and Lindon's talents that Thierry feels so fully realized. He's a man who's struggling to make sense of a world that seems to be working against him at every turn. But even in his darkest moments, he's never completely defeated. The Measure of a Man is a moving portrait of resilience and perseverance, and it's a film that lingers in the mind long after the credits have rolled.

In addition to Lindon's performance, the film's supporting cast is also excellent. Karine de Mirbeck plays Thierry's wife, who's supportive but also struggling to deal with her own anxieties about their financial situation. Matthieu Schaller is particularly memorable as Thierry's son, who's on the verge of adulthood and eager to begin his own life but also aware of the difficulties that lie ahead.

Throughout the film, Brize uses a naturalistic visual style that emphasizes the mundane details of Thierry's life. He also employs long takes and close-ups to create an intimacy with his protagonist. The result is a film that feels both intimate and universal, a powerful commentary on the human cost of economic inequality.

In conclusion, The Measure of a Man is a deeply empathetic and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be human in a society that can be indifferent to our struggles. Through Lindon's remarkable performance and Brize's sensitive direction, the film creates a deeply moving portrait of one man's search for dignity and purpose in a world that often seems determined to deny him both.

The Measure of a Man is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 74.