The Work (2017)

This is a must-watch documentary that depicts the profound, hidden wounds that repressed pain, guilt and grief can carve into the hearts of men. And, in doing, this film illustrates some seriously scary realities. How men construct an impenetrable facade to guard their pain and vulnerability from others (and from themselves). How powerful, murderous impulses can hide in the most unassuming of people. And, most of all, how difficult and exhausting it can be, fighting to reclaim your authentic self from a life of pain- and shame-fueled aggression.

A couple times a year, for a period of four days, non-incarcerated individuals are permitted to attend a group therapy retreat inside maximum-security Folsom State Prison to attempt to work on their own emotional baggage while sharing the experience with a few dozen inmates who are also wrestling with their own issues.

Make no mistake; this is some intense, raw stuff. There are few creative camera setups, and much of the filming is reactive and very fly-on-the-wall. There’s a reason that *cinema verité* translates to “truthful cinema”, and the therapeutic nature of **’The Work’** may be as true as it gets. This authenticity also bolsters the sort of cinematic honesty at work here, too. It’s all filmed in a very seat-of-the-pants manner. When two lapel-mics get muffled in an emotional bear-hug between two inmates, and their spoken words are drowned out by a booming heartbeat, it seems more than just serendipity -- in fact, this accidental foley work is more germane than any dialogue could have been.

There was one scene in particular -- and you’ll know it when you see it -- that I suspect could have *only* happened in this unique prison therapy scenario. So homicidal and arrogant was Brian’s rage that it may have been dangerous to drag his inadequacy into the light without his first being restrained by a dozen burly ‘bad dudes’. And, remember, **Brian is not one of the Folsom Prison convicts**; he’s just an ordinary teacher’s assistant who signed up for this unique form of group therapy, probably because he saw it as a challenge.

Why is this film a must-watch? Because it’s a reminder that -- no matter where we are, or what we may have become -- we all have the capacity to change for the better. But only if we remain willing to put in the work.