This is the most raw and unflinching group therapy session I’ve ever seen caught on film.
I currently rank “The Work” #7 on on my list of “The Best Prison Documentaries” (out of 30!).
Thanks to Robert Abele for first pointing this doc out in his review of “The Work”.
Trailer for “The Work”
Watch “The Work”
You can watch “The Work” for free on Kanopy (with a library card) at https://www.kanopy.com/en/product/work-2 or rent it from Amazon, Apple, Fandango and Microsoft.com
Check here for other streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-work
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 82/100 (Users); 94/100 (Critics)
Release Date: October 20, 2017
My Review of “The Work”
The Setup
Directed by Jairus McLeary and Gethin Aldous, “The Work” visits a four-day therapy program at Folsom State Prison.
The program brings together inmates and civilian volunteers to face their deepest fears and emotions.
Aldous (known for “Renzo Gracie: Legacy*” and the “Sea Nation” docuseries) and McLeary (this is his doc debut) won he Grand Jury Prize at the SXSW Film Festival.
*I haven’t watched the Renzo Gracie doc yet but Renzo is the nephew of Rickson Gracie whose “Choke” documentary is an all-time favorite of mine (I rank it 97/100!). The Gracie’s are royalty when it comes to M.M.A and B.J.J.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- Kiki, an inmate, confronts his fear of failure and breaks down while admitting he’s terrified of leaving the structured life of prison. He describes the outside world as chaotic and overwhelming.
More Highlights from the Doc
- Brian, a civilian participant, collapses into tears when asked to face his unresolved grief about his father.
- An intense moment arises when Vegas, an inmate, emotionally unloads on another participant for ignoring the group’s rules. His outburst shocks the group but leads to an eventual breakthrough.
- Dark Cloud, a heavily tattooed inmate, shares how years of gang life hardened him to love and fear. He reveals how deeply he buried emotions to survive.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- The Inside Circle Foundation, featured in the film, has run this program for over 20 years to help reduce repeat offenses by healing emotional wounds.
- Not every civilian can handle the intensity. Some drop out of the four-day sessions, overwhelmed by the emotions.
- Director Jairus McLeary has a personal connection to the story. His father helped start the therapy program.
Wrap Up
“The Work” shows how people from different lives can come together to grow.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc