PAUL TICKELL's review of Blue Collar made some good points but it was based on expectations of the film which I think are wrong.
He complains that the film *gives no hint as to what lies behind the union bureaucracy and the ownership of the factory'. He also complains of Blue Collar's "individualism', "pessimism', "naturalism' and its lack of historical perspective.
In other words, Paul Tickell would have preferred a film which told its audience that the real enemy was the bosses, not the union.
He would have liked us to see the working class engaged in collective struggles, and he'd like an COnCUSIOn about socialism being on the agenda if we all pull our fingers out. Oh yes, and the film should preferably be abstract and experimental if possible.
Maybe such a film would be good - but Blue Collar is also good, for different wnica rau licken Taus 1o appreciate.
How often do we see Hollywood film which is truthful about the lives of working Class men? Bue Collar shows us the reality of their lives: the brutality of the shopfloor, their sexist relations with women, their anxieties about paying the bills.
The film anti-union because, as Paul Schrader the director and scriptwriter says, workers are pissed off with the union.
The film lacks a sense of working class history because workers themselves lack this sense. It is pessimistic because there is little cause for optimism repeated.
THE DEADLINE for this co before the Saturday Pubicallon NORTH WEST WARRINGTON Socialist chester mecialist Challenge ofice for MANCHESTER Socialist Challenge support the paper and would like to get ontact Chris (273 one, day/y porters contacted Socialist Challenge Centre c/o 14 Piccadilly MOSS Moporters seline paper at Mossie SIDE Socialist Centre, Saturday, 11-1. now meets fortnig a neede now meets tonnenty on days. For detais onone vo-150 2502 or write to Manchester SC Centre, c/o 14 Piccadilly Zimbabwe?' Speaker Pete Evans (NW 1. Thur 22 Feb Windsor Castle pub, Egan St NORTH EAST NEWCASTLE DOCIalST спанепов local supporters are active! i you want Socialist Challenge 15 February 1979 page 14 ness or tne masses.
Seeing Blue Collar is a gruelling experience precisely cause of its realism.
The contradictions in the relationship between Zeke, Gerry and Smoke are spelt they're "pals' only when they share the same interests; they are racists when they can't see that they do.
The film doesn't sentimentalise or glamorise - it uses a dramatic situation to show how things really are. That seems to me to be a great achievement.
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