The film Resources Humaines is in essence a low-budget study on labor value. Director Cantet uses the scheme of class struggle for the portrayal of the relations between the blue- and white-collar workers in a production plant. The mutual feelings of stress are aggravated and perhaps even somewhat distorted by the father-son relation, that is woven into the story. In summary, the college graduate rationalizes the production process, and in passing makes his fathers job redundant. The factual narration itself is so simple, that there is plenty of room to delve into the many psychological facets. This allows for detailed character studies, and Cantet portrays them in sharp contrasting colors. The Bolshevist shop steward of the trade union (CGT) is against any alterations. The managing director is cunning in an unpleasant way. The workers are impassive as a result of their monotonous jobs. The son has the stupid arrogance of the new-born believer in dogmas. As a result the viewer has trouble in identifying with any of the characters. Obviously Cantet tries to sympathize with the blue-collars, but his preference is not supported by the events itself. The main weakness of the film is, that it appears half a century too late. In our postindustrial society the situation has been resolved, and is no longer a subject of debate. Today everybody knows, that a job will not last for life. Employees are obliged to engage in lifelong learning. We also appreciate, that work at the assembly line is so dull, that it is inhumane and should be automated as much as possible. The days of the laborers smashing the machines ended two centuries ago. So a sensible person can only welcome the intention of the managing director to hand over the repetitive tasks to robots. And the viewer looks at disbelief at the ensuing occupation of the plant by the workers, who reject any discharges. This behavior, that fitted in the fifties of the previous century (see for instance the nice film Made in Dagenham), is in our times a relic of the past. Resources Humaines suggests that political agitation and class struggle are more important than efficient production. The normal, modern and sensible act under these circumstances is of course starting negotiations between the management and the trade union in order to arrange decent social plans for the redundant personnel. We are also surprised by the promotion of the working week of 35 hours. Evidently Europeans have always valued their leisure time, but in recent years the emphasis has shifted to leave for duties with regard to caring (children, elderly) or for study. Or on part-time and flexible contracts. In conclusion, the film Resources Humaines is debating the wrong issues. If you appreciate films about labor, you may consider seeing my other reviews.

A well-done docu-drama by Laurent Cantet. It reminded us a lot of "Norma Rae", without the "American" touch, meaning a well-settled, calm reality film. The story about the young trainee coming back to his home-town, working in the same factory where his father worked for 30 years is filmed in a "true" manner. The actors seem to be real workers (and many are). The conflict of the son, who suddenly works close the the boss, above his father, is well told and well acted. The father is still standing at a machine, doing monotonuos movements with his hand - a type of work, which inhumanity Charles Chaplin already commented on with "Modern Times". The story leads to a climax, when the workers start to strike, after it was discovered that 12 people (including the father) will get fired. But we will have no happy ending or fake solution. The son will go back to Paris, having learned a few lessons of life and the workers will continue to strike.

An excellent movie, a must for everyone interested in sociology, management or leadership. Terrific acting, partly by amateurs playing themselves, and a setting as realistic as your factory next door. For pessimistic people maybe a bit too depressing...

"Ressources humaines" is a consideration of the tensions created between management and labor, as seen through the eyes of a business grad student serving as a temporary management trainee during his school break. A proposed 35-hour work week is used as a dramatic charge for investigating both sides of white/blue collar concerns in a factory setting. After a strike is called by the workers, who feel betrayed by management, while management feels betrayed by its trainee who publicly discloses a "secret memo" on the pending firing of several workers, the film ends before a resolution is reached.Actually, it's not necessary to reveal the resolution, for that's not what the film appears to be about. While both sides feel their respective issues deeply, and both have seemingly legitimate arguments, at least to themselves, we witness what may actually be an absurdist comedy:Is the creation of a world of limitation a state of awareness that may in itself be spurious? Is the belief in lack a subconsious denial of human potential? Is the reacting to injustice an indvertent bonding of the actor to his own nemisis? Indeed, are not management and labor in effect merely different sides of the same coin? From a distant perspective, after "Ressources humaines" has unfolded and its passion and emotion subsided, we observe a dented sponge returning to its original shape. Nothing has really progressed, only temporarily allowed its profile to give. Yes, there is nothing to do in Laurent Cantet's world but to silently laugh at his sharp depiction of errors. Jalil Lespert as the student, Frank, and Jean-Claude as Le pere give mesmerizing performances.