The Measure of a Man [DVD] – Inspirational True Story, Perfect for Movie Nights & Family Gatherings

The way this movie was filmed is so close to real life it's scary. It seemed as if I were watching a documentary of the "common man's" life, and the technique was so close to perfection I wanted to call the main character Thierry and give him advice on how to get a job about mid-way through the movie. But, thankfully, Thierry did land a job on his own so the movie could move on to another phase of his life. The combination of the slow movement of "real life" film technique and lack of any real levity, except for a few short episodes where Thierry learns to dance with his wife, made me feel depressed by the end of the movie, and I think this was the intent. I would not watch it on a Saturday night date. But the questions the movie asks are real and I found myself thinking about my own life's work for a couple of days afterward, which I believe is what the director intended. My only criticism of this movie was that I felt the director gave Thierry's son a disability in order to make us feel sympathy for him as a father, which I don't feel was necessary. It is made clear in the movie that Thierry is the proverbial "good guy," who treats women and children with compassion, even if he is a bit lacking in emotions to shows this. I would recommend this movie to those who are interested in social commentary and want a peak into how society functions today in France .