Working Man Info
In 2019, Robert Jury made his directorial debut with the American drama film "Working Man", which he also wrote and produced along with Clark Peterson, Maya Emelle, and Lovell Holder. The movie features Peter Gerety, Billy Brown, and Talia Shire in prominent roles.
It was shot over a period of 20 days in 2018 in and around Chicago, with one day of filming in Joliet. The Makray Manufacturing plant in Norridge was used as the factory location in the movie, but it shut down in December 2019. "Working Man" premiered at the 2019 Santa Barbara International Film Festival and received positive reviews upon its release on video-on-demand services on May 5, 2020.
Is Working Man Based on a True Story?
As the story of "Working Man" unfolds, a promising but cautious friendship develops between Allery and Walter (played by Billy Brown), who are both suddenly jobless and uncertain about the future. They decide to utilize the unused materials and unfinished orders at their former workplace, despite objections from the factory's corporate owners and are eventually joined by other laid-off coworkers to complete the work and ship the goods.
About two-thirds of the way through the film, there is a significant plot development that adds more tension to the story. While some of the dialogue may feel forced, the performances by the talented cast, including Peter Gerety, Billy Brown, and Talia Shire, bring authenticity and humanity to the characters.
"Working Man" was made on a low budget and a tight schedule over the course of 20 days in Chicago, with various locations such as Las Palmas restaurant in Harwood Heights and Ed's Way Food Mart in Forest Park serving as backdrops.
The film resonates with many viewers who have experienced similar struggles and shared memories of factories facing uncertain fates. Additionally, the movie suggests that its setting is a Joliet-scaled river town, despite being primarily filmed in Chicago.
Working Man Plot
In a small Rust Belt town, the closure of the last remaining factory leads to the emergence of an unexpected hero: the unassuming and diligent Allery Parkes. Having worked at the factory for his entire career, Allery struggles with the idea of spending his days at home with nothing to do. Despite his wife Iola's objections, he forges an unlikely bond with his charming neighbor Walter Brewer and embarks on a mission to resurrect the abandoned factory.
In "Working Man," Talia Shire delivers a graceful performance as Iola, Allery's wife who is just as reserved as he is. When Iola wakes up the morning after the plant closes to find Allery dressed in his work uniform and packing his lunch, she is understandably surprised.
Even after being escorted home by the former plant manager and sheriff's deputies, Allery persists in going back to work, this time with the help of his neighbor and former coworker, Walter (played by Billy Brown). The two manage to persuade other former employees to join them in occupying the factory and finishing outstanding orders.
With the power back on, they work against the wishes of the parent company. Whether this effort will succeed or fail remains to be seen. It's hard to watch movies or read books that were created before the pandemic without feeling like they belong to a different time. However, despite its pre-pandemic production, Jury's poignant film is still relevant to the pandemic realities of 2020.
The Parkeses' struggles are not financial but rather psychological, rooted in a shared family tragedy that has left Allery emotionally closed off. Shire's character serves the role of opening up Allery, but it is Gerety's performance that brings the character to life with every subtle action and emotion. Despite its familiar themes, the film feels fresh and authentic.
Working Man Review
In the midst of the current pandemic crisis, with millions of people either out of work or working from home, there is a poignant quality to watching a man head to his job at a plastics factory, day after day. Even after he is laid off and the plant is shut down, he continues to show up for work, piquing our interest.
This is the premise of "Working Man," a film by writer-director Richard Jury, which initially explores the dignity of labor before transitioning to more overt drama. However, the film is anchored by the superb performance of Peter Gerety, a seasoned character actor.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheduled theatrical release of the film on March 27, 2020, was canceled. Director Robert Jury expressed his disappointment but also noted that the timing was strange and that the film's message about unemployment may resonate even more with audiences during this time. Instead, the film was released on various video-on-demand services such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and Fandango Now on May 5, 2020.
Is Working Man Based on a True Story - FAQs
1. When was the theatrical release of "Working Man" scheduled?The theatrical release of "Working Man" was scheduled on March 27, 2020.
2. Why was the theatrical release of "Working Man" canceled?The theatrical release of "Working Man" was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3. What did the director of "Working Man" say about the timing of the film's release during the pandemic?The director of "Working Man" said that the timing has been strange and that while it's personally disappointing not to have a theatrical release, the film might have a bigger audience or at least an audience that can relate to the movie more because of the relevance of the topic of unemployment during the pandemic.
4. When was "Working Man" released on video on demand services?"Working Man" was released on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, and Fandango Now video on demand services on May 5, 2020.
