A good look into the benefits system in place in England, and the sometimes unjust way it goes about helping people. However, it can be a little stereotypical in its view, with many being either extremely cruel or nice. There is no in between. The editing and cinematography are decent, as it uses social realist techniques. It really reflects the story and allows for the story to take centre stage. Most of the actors are quite good, and manage to give heartbreaking performances. Definitely worth a look!

'I, Daniel Blake (2016)' is an urgent and impassioned cry against the current benefits system in Britain and the budget-cuts the current government have enforced that make life for the poor almost unbearably difficult and unnecessarily bureaucratic. It's a frustrating and important ode to the seemingly unheard, unseen and uncared-for downtrodden that make up a large portion of the population and are (mostly) downright decent people. It's also a close to the bone parable that puts itself out in the open and demands to be seen, just as those it portrays demand to be treated as people rather than statistics on a screen. It really is a moving, damning and necessary piece that finds a perfect pace and reliable realism through which to convey its timely message, and it actually sneaks up on you after its credits have rolled to be much more tragic and heart-wrenching than you first realised, expertly portraying a slice-of-life so often not seen and feeling like it has a compelling reason to do so. Powerful stuff. 8/10

Ken Loach (Kez '69) is a controversial filmmaker (yes he uses film) who, along with screenwriter Paul Laverty are no strangers to taking on the challenging everyday issues of real life. Their story follows the trials of 59 yr old carpenter Daniel Blake, as he attempts to enlist assistance from an impersonal welfare system. Daniel can build you a house but has no computer skills - this is where we see the foolishness of enforcing 'on-line' services before the generation who grew up without them have passed.Performances are good --kids included which is always a plus-- the inclusion of a now rarely played composition by Ronald Binge is a powerful insight to a passing era and emotionally strong. Documentary photographer Robbie Ryan adds realistic touches as this brave crew navigate complex social problems - that are both poignant and timely. How will an overloaded public system ever be fully capable of serving the multitude of desperate human situations - especially in the face of increasing immigration, that's mostly made up of people from countries that offer their nationals nothing! Something needs to be done and seriously. Well done by all concerned.

This grim realist drama succeeds in putting some humanity into the austerity/benefits debate, but Ken Loach undoes the impact of his polemical film with simplistic emotional manipulation. Indeed, Loach's agenda interferes and reduces his storytelling to mere melodrama at least twice.Take the scene in which a starving Katie visits a foodbank; she is surrounded by fruit, bread and vegetables, yet she messily eats cold beans out of a tin and bursts out crying in shame. Why would she eat this when she could choose food that's far easier to eat? Because Ken Loach wants us to feel bad, that's why.And then there's the ending, which sees Daniel and Katie meeting with an adviser who's confident that he can win his appeal. However, just as the film's mood starts to finally buoy, Daniel keels over and dies in the bathroom. Predictable, very predictable. It's surprising that a veteran director like Loach would use such hackneyed emotional manipulation.