Like all of Loach films, Sorry We Missed You is about “social causes,” or situations that rightfully cause outrage. Here we have another example of the human cost of greed, or society encouraging (brainwashing?) us to get things as soon as we want them, as fast as possible; 24 hours delivery guaranteed. We are all victims of this trend because it is convenient, or we are so accustomed to this comfort, but the movie makes us think that unless it is an organ we need (or an important medicine), nothing should truly be that indispensable. Sorry We Missed You is, in a way, pointing fingers at the gig economy that is now the only source of revenue for many but with devastating consequences.
The film also succinctly touches the misconstrue idea that there is a hierarchy of employment, and society—and us—have to be blamed. We tend to put a value on certain jobs and, especially, not give proper consideration to those who do helpful jobs. Like Seb calling his father a “white-van-man,” as if it is a pejorative term for a bad job. Besides, by focusing on the Abbie, the film works as a plight for social and health workers, and the betterment of the healthcare system. All scenes involving her at work were completely heartbreaking. They remind us that it is an abomination that people like her are not better rewarded for all their hard work and helping those in need.
“…the acting is formidable, and it makes sense that many actors were non-professional…”
The possible heaviness of the subjects, and the little resolutions offered, could make for a frustrating—and depressing—viewing, but it is also part of the experience. Moreover, it might not help that the film is shot with minimal effect, and the performances are also very realistic. However, the acting is formidable, and it makes sense that many actors were non-professional – as often seen in the director projects. The whole family chemistry was phenomenal, and the children were notably convincing, but newcomer Honeywood impressed with some shockingly honest scenes. She researched thoroughly for the role, and all her scenes felt like they were taken out of real stories.
Sorry We Missed You is by no measure “extreme,” or as some might declare, a display of “miserabilism porn.” As mentioned earlier, it is a social realist film with all the usual elements: focused on a working-class low-income fed-up protagonist, most of the family discussions happen in a tiny modest kitchen, or strong regional accents – the film was actually subtitled in “English” for English speakers! The events depicted are not only inspired by a real story, but it is “real life.” And, it might be about one family in Britain, but their struggles are universal because, despite all the good it does, there is a very “dark side of hard-core capitalism,” and this modern system controlled by greedy individuals profiting off of the most vulnerable everywhere.
Ken Loach is a filmmaker who does not simply tell a story. He is a guy that spent decades shedding a bright light on subjects very few attempted to portray in movies so poignantly. Sorry We Missed You is thus a typical Ken Loach feature, but, it is also oddly on par with a crop of films from this year Cannes Film Festival, and 2019 Cinema at large. From Parasite to Bacurau, Les Miserables, Hustlers, and maybe even Us; these films are about people’s plights, or people wanting to/taking things into their own hands to get what’s their, equal treatments and privileges, or simply folks refusing to “taking it anymore.” There is a palpable sense of urgency all around and is greatly illustrated here in a strikingly powerful scene, with the aforementioned Honeywood, evoking I, Daniel Blake stunning yet brutal food banks scene. In this scene, the ever so polite and understanding Abbie, rebels and ignites like fire during a nervous breakdown in a hospital. She will speak out loud against the nonsensical and abominable aspects of her husband’s job. And, in an infectious wave, the strangers around her—also waiting for hours on end in ER because, ditto, the health system is failing since folks try to make money out of sick and dying people—agree, sympathize with her insurgency of sorts, or even cheer, and so will most audience members in theater! But sadly, in the film as in life, telling what is wrong is not enough to prevent catastrophes from happening. Hence, that is why Sorry We Missed You is a film that makes you want to go home and cry, or one that makes you want to stand up and fight.
Sorry We Missed You screened at the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival.
"…how a supposedly new professional opportunity turned into a series of unfortunate events."
