We all hate it when we are treated according to a standardised procedure, with no discretion shown for our particular circumstances. Perhaps it's inevitable that a benefits system is impersonal; but perhaps it's rather a feature by design, to strip applicants of their dignity, either to deter scroungers or simply to drive down the bill by making it humiliating, and difficult, to get what you really need. In the U.K., it has for a long time been widely suspected that some people claim invalidity benefits when actually fit to work; but attempts to prevent this have led to cries of outrage that the sick are sometimes basically left to fend for themselves, forced to seek jobs they are not fit to take. Ken Loach's film 'I, Daniel Blake', is fictional, but it's grounded in many credible accounts of how the system works.

The film itself is minimalistic, without any soundtrack; it's low key, showing us the everyday reality of Daniel's life. But it makes one angry watching it, because one can easily believe that for many people, this is exactly how the system presents itself. You couldn't call the film fun to watch, but it's important: every time you hear politicians lambast scroungers, you need to consider what the counter measures mean for those without a support network. Sadly, this is a must see movie.

'I, Daniel Blake' was highly recommended to me by a close relative, she having found it very insightful and moving if very on the nose. Actually watched it a few weeks ago with family, it has just taken me a while to get round to reviewing it with so much to see and review, with such a long watch and review list that keeps getting longer, and also a lot going on in my life.

Am truly thankful for the recommendation, as it was the above (insightful and moving as well as honest, parts hitting hard and home with me) on all counts. 'I, Daniel Blake' to me, and many others, was a very good film, nearly great as a matter of fact. It may not be for all tastes, like Ken Loach himself, and it is understandable why its depiction of the Jobcentre system especially was controversial. Is it perfect? No, of course not. Are there many good things? Absolutely. Are they big? Yes, very.

There is no doubt that 'I, Daniel Blake' is a hard-hitting film. It certainly hit me hard and some of it hit home with me, having been there with a couple of the situations myself. It is admittedly not a subtle film, it is very on the nose and there are times where it does go too far. The Jobcentre/social worker people could have been painted in a more sympathetic and less exaggerated light seeing as it is the system that's heavily flawed (was in the situation once, and it was not a happy experience, actually incredibly stressful, at all) not them. It was the latter that was clearly intended, it just felt a little heavy handed.

For me, the ending was also somewhat abrupt and almost like a cheat, like they were trying to shy away from ending the film on too pat a note, and it was a situation that one does sort of foresee but doesn't want to happen. Katie's final scene is certainly poignant, but somehow the ending didn't wholly satisfy.

However, 'I, Daniel Blake' is visually slick and suitably gritty, to match the seriousness of what's being depicted. The music is wisely not constant and is quite understated, George Fenton can be the stirring and sweeping, as well as hauntingly beautiful, sort of composer so it was nice to hear something different.

On top of that, 'I, Daniel Blake' is thoughtfully and honestly scripted, with a few gently humorous touches, constant realism and parts that resonate emotionally, found myself agreeing often with what Daniel says. The story raises many issues, important and relevant but also difficult ones, how it depicts them is as said not always subtle and very on the nose but it's done in a way that is realistic, makes one think hard after it's over, it's insightful, is admirably fearless in its approach and makes one identify completely with Daniel and Katie. There is emotional impact here, like at the food bank and Katie's final scene. They are very much compellingly real and instantly rootable and one wants them to succeed and overcome their adversity, their relationship is very touching and charming.

Loach directs with confidence and experience and he gets terrific lead performances from Dave Johns and Hayley Squires. Johns is in a more dramatic role and gives intensity and emotional power to it, fully succeeding in making Daniel relatable. Squires very movingly portrays a struggling single mother, in a way that any single parents with struggles will find themselves in.

Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Daniel Blake is an unemployed construction worker after a devastating heart attack. He gets disability support until a government bureaucrat decides that he doesn't have enough points. He struggles through the bureaucratic labyrinth trying to navigate a computer without the barest of rudimentary skills or applying for jobs that he couldn't take. He befriends single mom Katie who is also struggling with the bureaucracy as her support is cut.

Ken Loach continues his lower class cinema with a gripping tale of a man of honor. The acting is great. The settings have a sense of real places. The plot and the turns are forseeable. For example, after Ivan gives Katie his number, the rest is a given but the emotion is never diminished. Same thing with the ending which has its inevitability. The food bank scene does take a surprising turn. Overall, this is a sad tragedy on a straight road. Daniel never loses his humanity.