Introduction –
The title “Full Time” neither complements not offers any justice to this absolutely intriguing film belonging to dark comedy genre. At Baiscope we believe a name like “The Boxed Life” or “The Clown” would have made more sense. Anyway, that doesn’t dilute the movie’s amazing storyline or impact its essence. It is a brutal reflection of 9 to 5 grind, and its effect on the working class.
Synopsis –
Three friends, fresh graduates, discussing career, skateboarding up and down the steps and street sit down close to a park. A man, the second lead ( Played by Iddo Goldberg ) walks up to them and tells them that he needs help and he’s willing to pay $50. Michael Tucker ( Played by Andrew Lutheran ) jumps on his feet and agrees to the proposal.
The man asks Michael to follow him. A few blocks later the man shows Michael a small square on the ground, clearly demarcated and asks him to stand inside all day. He promises to pay Michael $50 at the end of the day, specifically at 5:30. At first Michael thinks it’s a joke but the man convinces him that he is serious. Later, the man returns and pays him the promised amount. The man then offers him this job of standing inside the same square everyday till dusk and this time he raises the reimbursement to $200 per day.
Days and months pass by. Michael gets old. The man then offers an increment and a larger square on the ground. Michael is ecstatic at the promotion and a larger space. He can now move a little. And then years later, when Michael becomes really old, he asks the man to be relieved of his duty. The man shakes Michael’s hand and tells him it was great working with him.
Even as Michael steps out of the square he sees a couple of young women with skateboards. He offers to buy skateboard from one of them. A few steps down the plaza he jumps on it like he did when he young. He instantly falls off it. The film ends with Michael lying down on the ground.
Analysis –
The film “Full Time” is actually a metaphor for 9 to 5 job, the monotony of corporate life, the absence of empathy by the seniors and how interests and passions are compromised for financial security. The metaphorical square reflects the workplace and the man, the boss / seniors. The boxed-in life races down the timeline till no strength is left to continue. It is at this point in time one realises the futility of being stuck in the rut.
The Message –
In one of the scenes, Michael follows the man who hands over the money every day. He sees him from the pavement in a different avatar. The man wears the getup of a clown. The message is clear. We tend to allow our lives to be controlled by clowns, in this case the corporate leaders for financial security. The question is … is it a fair deal or profound foolishness.
2023 Jackson Jarvis Jon Ryan Sugimoto 16 Minutes YouTube