Struggling French Author Dives into Gig Economy in Thoughtful, Yet Lacking Drama at Work
In the heart of Paris, a 42-year-old writer named Paul (played by an unspecified actor) is trying to make a living and write a successful third novel. Despite his passion for literature, Paul's financial situation is precarious. He occasionally works as an Uber driver and earns a meagre salary as a freelance handyman, bidding for jobs through a fictional app called Jobber.
Paul's life is far from comfortable. He constantly lowers his rates to win job bids, making peanuts for tasks such as fixing toilets, mowing lawns, or hanging paintings. The script for "At Work," directed by Valérie Donzelli, is adapted by Donzelli and Gilles Marchand from the book by Franck Courtès.
Donzelli, a French actress turned director, made a significant impact in 2011 with her film "Declaration of War." However, since then, her output has included "Marguerite & Julien," a costumed misfire, "Notre Dame," a trifling comedy, and "Just the Two of Us," a one-note domestic abuse drama.
"At Work" explores the tension between creativity and the hard facts of life in the hyper-capitalistic gig economy. The film is shot in a colorfully naturalistic style by Irina Lubtchansky.
Paul's personal life is no less challenging. His son lives on the other side of the Atlantic, and they connect in a moving sequence in the film. His ex-wife and kids have moved far away to Montreal. His father disparages his son's choice to be a writer and be broke all the time.
The storyline in "At Work" speaks to the precarious and competitive situation in today's society, where a few winners (app creators) thrive while many struggle. Paul's publisher is an ice-cold Parisian who only cares about selling paperbacks.
The film's structure is unique, as it is structured like a workplace drama, but the workplace consists of various Paris apartments and homes. The search results do not provide information about which person plays the role of the publisher in the film "At Work."
Despite the adversities, Paul's determination to succeed as a writer remains unwavering. The film ends on a hopeful note, leaving the audience rooting for Paul's success. "At Work" is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many artists in the modern world and the resilience required to overcome them.
