I, Daniel Blake (2016) – Review

Life always has suprises in store and unexpected things can happen (just look at the past week). A stable situation at home can get out of balance because of various events. Daniel (Dave Johns) is a widow and after he has had an accident working in construction he is no longer able to work. He is forced to apply for benefits. He isn’t very young and doesn’t know how to work with computers or how the existing process of applying works. His first experience when heading to the office to apply turns into one of shock: Everyone there works according to strict tules and there doesn’t seem to be any room for actually caring for the person who is in from of them. It is here where Daniel meets single mother Katie (Hayley Squires), who he decides to help.

I, Daniel Blake was the first movie I saw at the PAC festival a couple of weeks ago and my favorite of the day. It is a movie which manages to create a lot of sympathy for Daniel. Someone who is willing to do anything and helps others, but who doesn’t manage to get the support he needs from the government. When he opens his mouth and the civil servant he talks to might not like what he is saying it could have impact on the amount of money he will receive. He has a hard time reaching various people and when he does they can’t always answer his questions. The end result is a burocratic machine which keeps going and along the way makes its victims because of the procedures. The end result is that those who can’t keep their head above the water are forced to make money another way.

 The bond Daniel and Kate (and her children) have is filled with warmth and compassion, in a system which doesn’t allow for it. As you are watching it you are deeply moved by the injustice they go through. It’s a film with lots of drama, but also some humour and it leaves a lasting impression. It makes I, Daniel Blake, thanks to its fantastic acting and realistic setting, a must-see.