Cast
View All
Julia Garner
as Jane
Matthew Macfadyen
as Wilcock
Makenzie Leigh
as Ruby
Kristine Froseth
as Sienna
Jonny Orsini
as Male Assistant 2
Noah Robbins
as Male Assistant 1
Alexander Chaplin
as Max
Jay O. Sanders
as Boss (voice)
Juliana Canfield
as Sasha
Dagmara Dominczyk
as Ellen
Bregje Heinen
as Tatiana
Clara Wong
as Tess
Purva Bedi
as Executive Assistant
Patrick Breen
as Roy
Migs Govea
as Executive 1
Crew
Director
- Kitty Green
Writer
- Kitty Green
Producer
- Scott Macaulay
- P. Jennifer Dana
- James Schamus
- Kitty Green
- Ross Jacobson
Reviews
Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots
“The Assistant,” a timely story about abuse of power in the workplace, left me shaken and angry. This quietly devastating film about a young assistant (Julia Garner) to a prominent entertainment executive is inspired by the Me Too movement (and clearly, the bad actions of Harvey Weinstein). The story accurately portrays the weighty emotional toll that stems from knowing something isn’t quite right, but you are powerless to do anything about it.
Jane (Garner) is just starting out in her career. She puts in long hours at the New York office of a powerful film exec, and she takes continual emotional and verbal abuse from her boss (whom we never see). There’s nothing glamorous or rewarding about her job, but those around her give constant reminders that she is the lucky one simply because she is employed there. Jane is faced with hostile, degrading comments from almost everyone she comes in contact with, but she quietly goes about her business and tries her best to ignore it.
Writer / director Kitty Green chooses to center her methodical, orderly narrative around a female assistant, which makes the film all the more powerful. She uses point of view shots that make it feel as if you’re right there in the office, stepping directly into the character’s shoes. The story takes place over one day in a drab office as Jane begins to see a pattern of events that don’t add up. She’s someone who doesn’t quite know enough to have a clear, undeniable picture of what’s going on, yet she still knows something definitely isn’t quite right. It’s unsettling and effective, and it something to which young women (and some young men) everywhere will sadly relate.
When Jane tries to do the right thing, she’s stonewalled by a Hollywood culture where abuse is tolerated, joked about, and covered up — in other words, it’s accepted. She watches as her colleagues joke about these escapades while laughing off her concerns. An unhelpful HR director (the terrific Matthew Macfadyen) dismisses her complaints as “bullshit” and a product of “jealousy,” which is infuriating to watch because it feels so steeped in truth.
Even more disturbing is that while eyes have been opened thanks to the “Me Too” movement, this gross misconduct is still going on in offices all over the world. Newsflash to those working in the entertainment industry (and elsewhere): if you don’t speak up, or if you laugh about or shrug off bad behavior, you’re part of the problem. “The Assistant” is a sobering reminder that just because “that’s the way it is” doesn’t make it right.
Mar 27, 2020
SWITCH.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a film that moves with such unassuming intensity as 'The Assistant', a film that demands full attention from its audience to tell a frustratingly normalised story of frustrating normalised harassment. It's a quiet film brimming with power, one that is not to be missed.
- Ashley Teresa
Read Ashley's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-the-assistant-meek-and-mad
Jun 24, 2020
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Assistant examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Kitty Green brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2020, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Assistant took approximately 23 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 88 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 112 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 15 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 7 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 2020, when this film is released:
- The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Assistant shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Dead Man Walking, which focuses more on action than character development, The Assistant subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Piano and Top Gun explore similar territory, The Assistant stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: January 31, 2020
- Runtime: 1h 28m
- Revenue: $1,338,881
Where to Watch
