Zero Fucks Given (2021) User Reviews

Not a Comedy

[derek-duerden · 6/10 · 30 March 2022]

I'm really not sure why IMDB categorises this as both a drama and a "comedy". There are precious few laughs here.

Instead, we see the relentless grind of a low-end job in a budget airline, with sales targets and ever-present management oversight - not to mention the usual challenges of dealing with the passengers. There are "R&R" interludes of course but even some of these look pretty joyless, as will resonate with any business traveller who has been stuck for a few hours in a supposedly "exotic" location with nothing much to do. Maybe it's all scripted, but many of the rambling interchanges here sound amateurish and improvised - perhaps deliberately to emphasise the feeling?

Adele fortunately is charismatic enough to carry pretty much the whole film single-handedly, although some of the supporting players are not too bad either, and the exploration of the home life from which she has run away adds to the overall picture of aimlessness.

The ending is nicely balanced, I think, and can be read either way ... is she on the verge of achieving a dream, or just switching one kind of drifting for another? Sartre would empathise, I feel.

Worth a look.

Following an aimless path

[rothko2009 · 6/10 · 12 June 2022]

The lead actor played the role very well, but I didn't feel like the film was really going anywhere.

I cycle of scenes from planes, night clubs, hanging around the hotel/house.

It showed how empty and meaningless her life is. And highlighted how grim work can be at times.

Stuck on Repeat...

[Xstal · 6/10 · 16 April 2023]

After losing a parent, your mother, you take to the skies to recover, as a hostess you fly, on occasion you cry, it's the way that you choose to recover. Your colleagues are generally fine, although there's some who live in the guidelines, they appear quite austere, just for drinking a beer, acts of kindness not desired by this airline. You get your kicks in a number of ways, from a bottle, from a pill, from men plays, but the truth is you're stuck, in a perpetual rut, there are better ways to spend these long days.

You have to feel for poor old Cassandre Wassels but I lost interest half way through and that was when the title of this piece resonated most, still a good performance from Adèle Exarchopoulos however.

VERY Realistic, Well Acted...But Not Interesting

[Derek-18 · 6/10 · 14 July 2023]

This film about a young woman without any particular ambition working as a flight attendant was extremely real. It felt like a secret camera was just recording a month in the life of a few people working for the fictional Wing discount airline. The acting was terrific, and made the story feel completely believable.

I mostly enjoyed the aspects of the film that related to labor relations at her airline: how they pushed the cabin crew to be salespeople, underpaid them, & treated them like crap. There is a chance, here, for our main character to get involved with this storyline when she meets a picket line of her co-workers, but she waves off the union effort to improve conditions with a nihilistic, "nothing matters, nothing changes".

Our main character also has a chance to express something, to *do* something interesting around the death of her mother. But she doesn't. She keeps her pain bundled inside, as many of us do in the real world, and just carries on.

This character's life is boring because SHE is boring and lacks any compelling motivation. The film successfully illustrates that to the audience.

But being 100% "true-to-life" is NOT entertaining, unless the life in question is entertaining. There are millions of people in the world living non-ambitious lives worth repetitive jobs...and I don't want to watch a long-form film about each of them.

In this case, the writers and directors seem to have gone out of their way to illustrate how monotone this woman's life was. It is a symphony concert written with one note played over and over. It was "aggressively mundane", which is artistic, but *still* boring.

the title tells the story...

[ops-52535 · 8/10 · 1 April 2022]

In itself, its a women on the labour market socialrealismic flick, and its directly a story about the life of work of a female flight attendant of the 2020's. It gives you a raw incision into a craft that may give a lot of pleasures and fun, at the same time your just as the wailing wall of jerusalem, a job where the customer is right in 99.999% of the time, where mind and temper control is always at high gear, and the company managment appears to considering you as a cattle in a farmers sales fare, with managers at different levels just there to squeeze out the last drop of honesty and efforts, to try to survive in the second most popular profession in the world amongst girls, where the wages and work hours are so depressed due to a surge of ''3rd world'' low wages employees, making all kinds of organizing in trade unions hardly impossible, and where the threat of being sacked in promptu hangs like a hammer over your head...at the same time as being satisfied with ones job aint enough, and where the lack of wishing promotion is considered a maligne disease by todays managers( its very much the same in the medical nursing profession that ive belonged to for 3 generations, where the rush for specialised continued education is a must rather than a wish, often paid by yourself, that leads to financial ruin for the latter part of your working life. I got shell shocked when working on my bachelor exam, and promised myself to never ever putting myself in such a situation once again!!!)

its definately not a comedy, and not erotic in the sense you might want, even though the main actress is a beauty in one of a kind, it will oppose and include you into the desperation and limbo that this young woman undergoes. Its a powerful critizism towards the feverish globalisation weve undergone in the past 30 years and the makers of this movie did a good job ,making you speculate afterwards how this story will move on.

So if your in for a realistic take of a maneating trade, then do watch rien a foutre, a grumpy old mans recommend.

Zero fu**s given in the narration

[jdarcy-kojeve · 4/10 · 17 June 2022]

What a weird movie. Very French - and I can say that, because I am, in fact, French. Once again, Adele Exarchopoulos shows how natural her endless talent is. However, she's carrying an empty, meaningless, movie. Zero Fu**s Given seems like an essay on how tasteless life can be, almost shot like a documentary, with a quick successions of short scenes with a very thin link. But the thing is: the character of Exarchopoulos actually cares for people. She's not the most empathetic character here, but she has some stuff in the basement that could have been interesting and give a progress margin that would catch your attention.

But no, ZFG is just... a slice of life. No lesson. No interest. It tastes like a missed act, with all of these missed opportunities that were left hidden behind a wonderful photography. It just made me want to listen to Alan Walker's Faded. Hard pass.

Not what I expected, in a good way

[mikaelsiirila · 8/10 · 31 March 2022]

In the end I loved the film. It starts off as a rather offputting look into the culture of a cheap airline. Cassandre seems willingly lost in a job she does not enjoy; at times the film seems almost a satire. Then slowly the focus shifts and the backstory of her escape becomes the main focus. She is still grieving a loss and unable to let go.

I love the authentic way the Adèle delivers the inner emotions of Cassandre. The moment when Cassandre fails to hold a 30 second smile in a corporate course; or the call with the mobile operator are simply touching.

Good directing, great acting, but nothing else.

[firedornlightbringer · 4/10 · 18 April 2022]

The movie is but an exercise in directing. And a great one at that. Photography is excellent, as well.

What really stands out is Adèle Exarchopoulos' absolutely stunning performance which, sadly, is still not enough to elevate this mess to actually being a "movie": in truth, it feels more like a collection of scenes that didn't make the cut.

With even a shred of half-baked writing, this could've been a great movie: unfortunately, it has none.

Last, like many others have mentioned, this NOT a comedy in the slightest.

amazing acting

[harryokin · 9/10 · 15 April 2022]

Wow, what a fantastic, natural film of everyday life. It has the feel of a Belgium Mike Leigh film with the acting on the same par, and I imagine, a similar improvisation technique. The lead actor, who i have since seen was the youngest recipient of the Palme D'or, was amazing and gave such an outstanding performance. But, pretty much everyone was so believable it had an almost documentary feel. I'd ignore the ludicrous 1/10 marks as there are people who obviously have an ulterior motive. Maybe Michael O'Leary thought it was a little too close for comfort.

"Utterly Pointless" would be a better title

[MongoLloyd · 2/10 · 1 April 2022]

What a truly abysmal exercise in filmmaking. This is basically the manifestation of a screenwriter's endeavor to create a film story where nothing happens, the protagonist experiences no growth and strives for nothing. No amount of lofty art school intellectualizing can make this into anything other than what it is.

Dehumanisation Central ...

[anxiousgayhorseonketamine · 9/10 · 10 July 2022]

This is a film about the dehumanisation and Robotisation of humanity of the workforce after 40 years of neoliberalism.

It shows the workers of a bucket price airline being treated like automatons By management hired fired manipulated indoctrinated in whichever way increases profits for the shareholders.

It is a profound indictment of neoliberal capitalism and it is done extremely well.

The main actress Adele is so gifted and so charismatic that although the scenes depicted are about as fascinating as watching paint dry she still manages to instill life and emotion into this Death culture too many of the younger generations now think is normal life.

It is not easy viewing or comfortable and probably the source for some of the negative reviews here which seem to totally miss the point the reason the Raison D'Etre for this Opus

In some ways I cannot really describe it reminds one of the early efforts of the Nouvelle Vague in 1960s France.

It contains social reality depiction done in a clinical quasi-surgical Manner.

If you are interested at all in the way humanity is being turned into a farming pen for transhuman robots this is the film for you.

The comedy tag some have given needs to be qualified with the proviso that it is of the driest type.

It is not comedy it is a lucid indictment of the place we have collectively got to and that we need to get away from as quickly as we can if we want to remain human.

Yet the main actress manages at times to infuse humanity into some of the scenes.

The backdrop though Perforce will always remain sterile, boring, uninteresting, nihilistic, biocidal, doomed, headed to nowhere.

Crew life

[ks-60500 · 4/10 · 19 April 2022]

Watching a crew life before she got fired probably is the peak of the movie and it's kinda documentary indeed. The storyline is quite flat and empty. If you focus on the acting and if it's good, can barely accept the movie but just not this one. The leading is not bad but just one look through the whole movie, what's the acting part required ? You can argue that look quite a fit to her mystery but really boring about the story.

Waited for this film and not disappointing

[D3ViN · 8/10 · 31 March 2022]

In an IRL filming technique I could very much believe this is how it is to be a flight attendant/cabin master. Speaking as a friend of a Pilot of a low budget airline in the USA, the stories he told me of how it is for real. After work during a few days layover they would have leftover mini alcohol bottles and he would drink and play video games online, then sober up and fly the next day. As far as the instagram fabulous life they portray, it seems that way but not really. I feel this movie really captured it all in a behind the scenes irl style even if it is scripted.

Believe the bad reviews. This flick's a turkey.

[psxexperten · 1/10 · 3 April 2022]

Starts Off Bad, But Wait, it Gets Worse... 1 Star. I would give 0 Stars, but the rating system won't allow it.

Another worst film! Full of boring conversation, and annoying overuse scene! Avoid at all cost!

By far the worst movie I've ever watched in my life If you want to waste your time, and I mean waste it to the point that there is not a single net benefit, this is your movie.

So real it must have been written by crew

[flyredrocket · 9/10 · 16 July 2022]

For anyone who has been crew this film feels like a documdrama and Adèle Exarchopoulos plays the role with despondent perfection. Her character is like the beautiful older sister you've always admired who gets treated like a corporate punching bag - the exhaustion, the lonlieness, the transient flying friends, the 'churn and burn' employment model ... it goes on. The mysogynistic Base Supervisor is so realistic one wanted to reach through the screen and strangle him. A big plus for this film was filming in a real 737 because it gave complete reality to the claustrophobia, the neverending lack of privacy, and quiet despair at one's jumpseat as beautiful moments out of reach passed by the window. Here's hoping Dubai was everything Cassandre needed it to be.

Empty and truly boring movie

[slatebook · 1/10 · 30 March 2022]

"Rien à foutre" can be translated "I don't care" or, as the subject and verb are missing, "There's nothing to do so I'm bored".

The title is an exact description of what one could comment about this wanabee movie. By the way, this colloquial locution is quite rude and childish.

To cut it short, another falls flat-pretentious movie from Paris where some people really think that they are great, are they?

What is fun is that the French press gives a high rating, it's another story when it comes to real viewers.

Don't even try to think that there might be some subtleties or hidden majestic ideas because it's a French movie, there's nothing to stimulate a brain here.

You need to practice your smile

[Ladiloque · 9/10 · 5 April 2022]

Here we have such an elegant - and true to its name - production. Essential direction (a first feature) with original camerawork, clean and colorful photography, postmodern medley music. Yet acting and especially the screenplay are top notch: there, lots of "fucks" are given.

Character study of a young lost soul and profession study of flight attendants (eye opening for all those not used to how complex multinational business organizations may manage their HR).

Despite its qualities you're warned: not really entertaining except for very few sparks here and there especially towards the end of the movie (the scene where the sisters talk with their dad was so touching I had to cry). Indeed mostly thought provoking, uncomfortable and a little slow (had to watch it at 1,25x) yet one of the best dramas of 2021 (I haven't watched "Murina" who won in the same category at Cannes, but I doubt this will be topped).

I might be a little biased since I find A. Exarchopoulos to be outrageously sensual - maybe it's more of an 8... but I swear I can give her movies low votes as well... Looking forward to the next Lecoustre/Marre's endeavours.

Semi documentary fiction movie with a bit of Ken Loach touch

[searchanddestroy-1 · 9/10 · 21 September 2022]

The other side of the flight attendants daily life, something very unusual as a topic. It is simply made but realistic, believable and riveting. Adèle Exarchopoulos very convincing, so natural though no glamour at all in this role. But it did not need it anyway. It is made like a short feature and for this reason it may discourage some people. Also the study and analysis of a modern world young woman dealing with her doubts, hopes, disillusions. Also an indictment against low cost companies, their awful and mercantile rules that respect no one: employees and customers. Ken Loach would have loved this one. A pretty cool must see.

We're all carrying too much baggage to fit in the overhead.

[PEEZYEM · 8/10 · 24 September 2023]

Every soul carries its share of baggage, and in Emmanuel Marre and Julie Lecoustre's evocative drama 'Zero Fucks Given', this universal truth is explored with a potent blend of literal and metaphorical resonance.

From the outset, viewers are confronted with a vivid tableau of desperation and anxiety as we witness a woman, visibly on the brink, grappling to fit her baggage into the rigid compartments of travel. This struggle serves as a poignant allegory for the protagonist Cassandre's emotional journey, portrayed with remarkable depth by the talented Adele Exarchopolous. As the narrative unfolds, we delve into a trove of accumulated sorrow borne out of loss and unprocessed grief. The void left by her mother's passing haunts not only Cassandre but also her father and sister, each ensnared in their private battle with the remnants of despair.

Cassandre's instinct is to flee from her torment, hoping to find solace in new horizons. Yet, the film eloquently underscores a stark reality: no matter how far you fly, the shadows of your past will tail closely behind. No destination exotic enough, no drug potent enough, and no career enticing enough can mask the wounds etched deep within. Cassandre's futile attempt at evasion reflects a melancholy truth; the specters of the past are loyal companions on the journey of life.

As the narrative reaches its crescendo, 'Zero Fucks Given' nudges its protagonist and the audience towards an inescapable realization: healing is a voyage inward. Amid the gentle symbolism of the roundabout, where Cassandre finds herself towards the end of the film, lies a profound message. Just as life's relentless currents swirl around, individuals like Cassandre find themselves anchored amidst its flow by their unaddressed burdens.

In the emotionally charged final act, we witness Cassandre mustering the courage to face the shadows of her past, a crucial step that hints at the dawn of acceptance. As she untangles the knots of her grief, there's a subtle uplift in the narrative tone, leaving both Cassandre and the audience with a budding hope for the days to come. This tender note of optimism amidst a journey laden with emotional tumult encapsulates the essence of 'Zero Fucks Given', offering a gentle nudge towards the liberating path of self-confrontation and healing. Through Cassandre's evolving lens, we are reminded that facing our internal tumult is the first step towards unfurling a future free from the anchor of unresolved sorrow.

Corporate cruelty and delicate melancholy

[cianfrusaglia · 10/10 · 11 April 2022]

Such a gem of a movie. The realness and banality of the setting might mislead you at first, it developes into a beautiful and deep film about the search for meaning, loss and family and really packs a punch. Brilliant actors and superb cinematography.

The F word

[kosmasp · 9/10 · 24 April 2023]

Flight attendent that is - what did you think? I know I know - no pun intended of course. Adele came ... well you know what I mean, let's start over: we discovered her (or most of us) in the movie "Blue is the warmest color". And since then she has played a lot of characters. Most quite flawed and with issues.

In this case she seems relatively normal - but the issues persist ... they are coming from outside. Small bits from her life on the plane show how horrible of a job it can be. What she has to endure (and others obviously) is really something despicable. And yet they still have to be friendly and smile all the time.

She has a big heart, even when she does something wrong, she tries to make it right. Not that her employer seems to care. It is life - and it is drama. I reckon if you have a dark sense of humor, there is also "comedy" in this, as imdb is stating. Just be aware this is not an easy movie to watch.

Great movie. It's much better than the 6.4 rating

[therealhman · 8/10 · 10 February 2024]

The acting is superb. The story is about the life of an airline stewardess in 2019 and 2020. Adele is completely believable.

Her life and her job are the focal points. The problems are she has to deal with the airline bureaucracy with their mickey mouse rules. For instance "does she get credit for how many drinks she can sell or does the everyone on the crew share." And push push the drinks, chips, etc. She and other stewardesses cross a strike line to get to their planes. When asked about her future she replies "my future is paying rent today." Pointing out the real life conflicts between the haves, the airlines, and the have nots, the employees. When one of her crew rats her out to management over a trivial event it her life in focus. That no matter how well she does her job the airline only cares about its rules.

The movie is not a fast paced shoot'em up but rather a slow story that moves the viewer along.

French directors do spend to much time on ambient scenery that don''t do anything for the storyline.