Detachment

Detachment

Adrien Brody has always been a fine actor. Detachment is perhaps one of the best examples of his work.

As a suffering teacher, put under emotional strain by the fact that his father is gravely ill and requiring near-round the clock medical attention, he strikes out at those around him, seemingly without realising that his actions reflect the very nature of the problems he has to face within his own job. He shouts at nurses, who simply want to help his father, and yet struggles to see why his pupils hate their work and hate the schooling environment.

Whilst the film provides good observation on the nature of teaching, and of the knock-on effect it has on those involved with the sector, it takes a very cynical slant and is extremely blunt in its perspective, which for some could be off-putting and will certainly not appeal to many.

Even so, Brody is the star, and rightly so.

8/10