Saturday, September 13, 2025

Un Metier Serieux (A Real Job) France

 Cine Europa 2025

Cinema 3, Red Carpet Cinemas

Edsa Shangri-la Mall


Nothing much goes on in this comedy drama about a group of teachers in a middle school in a smal French town. Main character is Benjamin, a PhD student who is a substitute math teacher. Fresh graduate with no relevant teaching experience, he makes do with the help of the other supporting teachers. Nowadays, students are more vocal and quite aware of their rights so teaching isn't an easy job. 

Benjamin's parents (his father is a doctor while his mother is a professor) believes he will be better off finishing his doctoral studies first so he will have more fruitful opportunities. But as the title suggests, Benjamin is determined to prove that being a teacher is a real job. And a thankless job at that. But mercifully, Benjamin's co teachers make him feel welcome and help him adjust to this teaching duties.

Personally, I know it is very difficult to balance your job and your doctoral studies. Both tasks require a lot of time and effort, not to mention tons of research to finish. It can really lead to one not finishing one's Phd degree because work (especially teaching) takes up most of your entire waking hours. So in that aspect, Benjamin's dilemma is relatable to anyone who is in his shoes. 

Good ensemble cast composed of credible actors who all give their characters depth and personality in an otherwise predictable narrative set in a small French town middle school. No major dramatic conflict to throw the characters off key, just a very minor character arc for the lead star, no open ended conclusion to wreck  your brain cells. Everything simply falls into its proper place, a nice way to spend a lazy September Saturday afternoon.

No comments: