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Sorry We Missed You, a film by Ken Loach
A review by Gerry Curran
There is a huge human story every time you get delivery of a package from a delivery company – and in this day and age who doesn’t? We are all familiar with the arguments that buying online and having goods delivered is killing the centre of towns and shopping centres. But less often told are the stories of those who get the goods to our doors within tight deadlines. Theirs is the story of the unregulated workplace, the torment of pretend self- employment, the stand a distance from responsibility of a less than transparent management system. It is the story of the Gig Economy. Director Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty bring us a painful, black-humoured, searing insight into how the world of the paid per job, per delivery model works: of its effect on those who rely upon it for income, and of the selfish attitude of saving a few euros which may bring us all to cause it to be so harsh. It is a great movie; yes it is replete with its own
take and ideology of how the world of commerce and capitalism works; but it is brilliantly honest and poignant. There are moments of lightness, humour, humanity; others of spite, mistrust and abuse: all laced with accuracy when it comes to the struggle to make ends meet – when all the ducks simply won’t line up.
The step away from employment to bogus self - employment is laid bare, as all the risk is transferred to the worker / self-employed. Starring Kris Hitchen, Debbie Honeywood as Ricky and Abby – parents to children played by Rhys Stone and Katie Proctor - Sorry We Missed You tells the story of Ricky and his family who have been fighting an uphill struggle against debt since the 2008 financial crash. An opportunity to wrestle back some independence appears with a shiny new van and
the chance to run a franchise as a self- employed delivery driver. Beautifully written, honestly acted, and daring
to show the side of commerce which shiny signs, logos and slogans hide or excuse: It depicts the freedoms commercial liberalism brings; alongside the dank and dark side-effects of it all. It is a kick in the groin take on our workplaces returning to bonded labour – to the 19th century. The risk of this arrangement of selling labour
is transferred to this family in total. It wreaks havoc and the film reflects that reality. It is a great watch and an even better conversation starter.
Sorry We Missed You is in cinemas from November.
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