Pragmatique

Rating: Null/10 (14 August 2013)

"Pragmatic" is the way Griss, an ex-convict from Parisian projects hired by super rich paraplegic Phillipe, as a caregiver describes himself and for me that one word captures the essence of the whole movie. Trough his eyes we see our world in a new and fresh way which is actually - a simple, pragmatic, "tell it how it is" narrative. The movie is a delightful version of the old fable about The Stranger who comes to a new place and shows everyone how things really are, not the way people are told them to be. Sort of Polyanna story but here it is not a girl feeding you saccharine but street smart immigrant from Senegal who tells us some unpleasant truths and delivers them as super funny commentaries on some of follies of modern Western society. What are those "discoveries" that Griss helps us to see? Perhaps being a disabled person is hard but certainly it is better to be a rich disabled person than a poor one. Maybe the best way to act towards socially superior is to behave as there are no differences at all instead of our usual docility which only gives more power to already powerful. And perhaps some modern art is really nothing more than overpriced crap where experts have integrity of used car salesmen who cheat confused public. And be honest - deep down we prefer pop to classical music but would not admit it because we don't want to be perceived as uncouth. And look closely when movie pokes fun at the way we are taught to apply for a job according to scripted, nailed into our heads set of questions and prepared answers. Griss with his honest chutzpah makes all other identical applicants look like a bunch of robots and phonies. Although telling truth all the time could be problematic but telling politically correct lies all the time so we all feel nice and comfy can leave Western people not well prepared for setbacks. Phillipe knows that very well when he hires Griss. Though money can buy the whole crew of helpers, he needs something more than advanced but somewhat mechanical care to live a full life. He needs somebody to treat him honestly. Pragmatically.