I Daniel Blake Film Review

 I Daniel Blake, directed by Ken Loach, is about a 59-year-old carpenter who despite being deemed unfit to work after a heart attack, is denied Employment Allowance. Throughout the film, Daniel becomes friends with Katie, a single mother who is also having money issues whilst juggling two children. The film deals with themes such as poverty, the class system, inhumanity, the importance of family and the Government’s lack of help. Aligning with Ken Loach’s directing style of advocating social justice, his 26th film- through the mistreatment of Daniel- comments on the corrupt Tori Government in 2016, and how homelessness is inevitable for people if they do not easily comply with the services available. It is one of the most moving and realistic films I have watched; however, I would not recommend watching it if you need to cheer up. Audiences should watch this film if they crave to see complex emotions and relationships during the scenes. For example, when Katie breaks down at a food bank due to starvation, her young daughter is eager to help yet is not old enough to help, leaving the audience to feel gut-wrenching pathos at her helplessness and the mother’s isolation.

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