The problem with I, Daniel Blake is that is that it does such a good job of walking its audience through the tedium of the system, that the film itself feels tedious at times. Director Ken Loach's direct style has him focus on Daniel's day to day struggle through the system. Its effectiveness comes in accurately portraying how much of a struggle this is and unfortunately the film is a bit of a slog sometimes too.
The film comes to life at certain moments, especially when he's connecting to a poor young woman and her family. Her struggle with working class poverty is a bit more engaging as she considers taking more dramatic steps. His remembrances of his dead wife are touching. Loach does succeed when he's getting into his characters' hearts. He paints a very honest portrait of the way the working poor are always pushed behind the 8 ball. The film makes a powerful argument against the idea of the "lazy poor."
Dave Johns does a great job of playing Daniel, even if his character is a bit of a stereotype. He imbues an integrity into his working class hero who has taken a stand against a society which is turning him out. Harley Squires is also quietly powerful as the mom who can't keep her head above water. Loach resists giving them overly dramatic moments of tragedy and instead keeps the pace on their grind.
The film may struggle to entertain all the way throughout but it sits with you and as you reflect on it its true power comes into focus. Loach and his cast give us a quiet but powerful experience which hopefully has some impact on the choices we make about the kind of society we want and how all of its members are treated.
I, Daniel Blake
Starring: Dave Johns, Harley Squires
Director: Ken Loach
Writer: Paul Laverty
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