Downsizing has become the new word for economic rationalism. Decreasing the number of workers for the maximum amount of saved dollars, companies have done this for centuries. Employees who are left behind are forced to work harder in delivering the same level of expected service.
Still Life examines this social malaise with skill. Tightly scripted and directed, it’s a fine drama looking at a person’s refusal to surrender to corporate interference.
John (Eddie Marsan) is a council worker whose department has been downsized. His job is to contact the next of kin of those who have died alone on council property. Facing the prospect of unemployment, he embarks on one last case. When meeting Kelly (Joanne Froggatt), daughter of a deceased tenant, he is taken on an unexpected journey. Learning to reconnect with life, his encounters change his viewpoint in unexpected ways.
Sensitive and interesting, Still Life is an often moving exploration of loneliness. In helping to wrap up the lives of those who died alone, John’s own introverted nature surfaces. His forced redundancy serves to further focus attention on carrying out his duties with the dignity and professionalism his co-workers lack. How his unswerving loyalty to the deceased never wavers is effectively driven home under Uberto Pasolini’s astute direction.
Making Still Life work so well is its mix of drama and humour. Both compliment each other without descending into sentimentality. This allows for genuine authenticity with the character interactions and atmosphere. The photography mirrors the initial bleakness of John’s daily life but soon creates more colour with the people he meets. Marsan and his co-stars embody their characters well with Marsan showing his versatility in a rare nice-guy role.
Still Life is a fine light drama showing how to embrace the most out of life. Doing one’s best in the face of changed circumstances is something anyone should aspire to as Still Life effectively shows.
Reviewed by Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14
Rating out of 10: 7
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