Violence des échanges en milieu tempéré

The title in English for this film is "Work Hard, Play Hard", which is the slogan for the McGregor group, the company at the center of the story. Of course, it bears no resemblance with the original French title that perhaps makes more sense.

This film deals with the realities of what is happening in the work place today. It's sort of a universal phenomenon in which the fate of people that have given their lives working for a company, suddenly, face an uncertain future. A few of them will end unemployed because these workers are expendable.

Director Jean Marc Moutout presents us with the intrigues within a successful company. Philippe Seigner, a young and talented would-be executive type, is hand picked by his immediate superior, not because of his credentials, but because the boss thinks he can carry out the hatchet job without any qualms. Since Laurent has no scruples, he expects nothing else from his subordinate.

Philippe meets and falls in love with the single mother, Eva, who sees in the young man someone she can love. Alas, Philippe will surprise her with an unusual turn of events that will separate the two lovers forever.

The acting is first rate. Jeremie Renier seems to be a natural actor. Cylia Malki and Laurent Lucas, are quite good, as is the rest of an ensemble cast under the sure direction of M. Moutout.