GRADE: 9.5
A very young college graduate attempts to obtain a position with a large corporation.
Director: Ermanno Olmi
Country of Origin: Italy
THOUGHTS:
My first Olmi film, and it was a decidedly wonderful experience–like a combination of De Sica’s neorealism and Truffaut’s profound and tender portraits of youth. The film well-captures the claustrophobic, asylum-like feel of large office complexes, but never treats the characters as anything less than thinking, feeling human beings, making what they can of their colorless routine. Sandro Panseri is adorable and conveys so much emotion with his eyes alone–everything from fear, confusion, curiosity, disappointment, hope, and more. I rooted for him every step of the way, and, as the credits rolled, hoped his cleverness and heart would lead him out of the drab future he appears destined for.