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Working Woman Review

By David Kempler

Works Pretty Well

Michal Aviad's "Working Woman" is an Israeli take on the #MeToo movement that has taken off in America. Her view on it is presented through the eyes of its main character, Orna (Liron Ben Shlush), a woman confronted with the dilemma so many women have experienced.

Orna lives with her husband Ofer (Oshri Cohen) and their two young children. He has recently opened a restaurant that is struggling to survive. Benny (Menashe Noy), an old friend who is now very wealthy in real estate development, offers her a job with his firm despite her having no previous experience in real estate. It's an exciting and potentially lucrative offer, so she accepts.

Orna is intuitively bright and she does a great job, becoming an extremely valuable asset very quickly. Soon her skills eclipse Benny’s, and it's an arrangement that works splendidly for both of them. 

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As you have probably already surmised, Benny lets Orna know that he is very attracted to her and forcibly kisses her, making her exceedingly uncomfortable. Benny apologizes profusely, but even though Orna decides to stay on in her job, without telling her husband about what happened, we know that Benny is going to try again.

Orna becomes more and more successful until Benny requests that she accompany him on a business trip to Paris. Gee, I wonder if that may turn out to be a problem. She goes with him and the business side of the trip is an overwhelming success, specifically because of Orna. Then comes the inevitable sexual assault.

Back home, Orna's personality has changed dramatically, especially with her husband. Eventually, Orna tells him everything, well actually not everything. In her telling, she feels at least some of the blame belongs to her, which I understand. What I don't understand is that she leaves out the most important details. This is where I wonder if, as a man, I cannot fully understand the situation. A woman watching it might have a far more accurate read on what has happened.

I thing "Working Woman" is a good film, but hardly special. Again, a woman watching it might think it is a great film or maybe she might hate it, or maybe more likely it's nonsense to assume that all women think alike. I can only view it through my eyes and brain, and to me, it's just okay.

What did you think?

Movie title Working Woman
Release year 2018
MPAA Rating NR
Our rating
Summary This Israeli film examining one incident of sexual harassment is very predictable and despite a fine job by the lead it’s only a decent movie.
View all articles by David Kempler
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