No. 39. (2020) THE ASSISTANT. July 1th.

Film No 39 (2020)  July 14th.  2:50 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville. 

"I don't think you'll have anything to worry about. You're not his type." (Head of HR makes a parting comment to Jane in the hope she will be reassured).

The saying "Be careful what you wish for" came to mind while watching The Assistant. But the thing that came to mind most often was the name Harvey Weinstein because Julia Garner's Jane (brilliantly handled by Kitty Green) gives us an insight into what it might be like to work, with pure innocence, for a monster. The power of The Assistant comes from what we don't see. Even what we hear (mainly muffled phone calls) isn't clear but we are left in no doubt about what's happening. Jane is 5 weeks into her dream job and the day we experience with her will test every fibre of her moral fibre. Jane aspires to work in an industry (Film and Television) where she will be mentored by good and talented people. People she will grow to like and trust. WRONG!! The shame for this brilliant small film is that COVID-19 stripped it of its cinema presence. Hopefully streaming platforms have made up for this shortfall. Garner weaves a mesmerizing performance here, she gives Jane a quality that has our collective hearts' bleeding. We suffer with her as she realizes she has no allies in this toxic workplace and while I've read criticisms about this film's ending, I have no doubt Jane is headed in the right direction as she walks away from the camera. The humble meal she decides not to eat at the end of her day say it all. 11GUMS.