After being fired from a play by Woody Allen for looking “retarded,” the actress Annabelle Gurwitch picked up a camera and began to explore her occupational misfortune. With help from a roster of comedians that rivals The Aristocrats, Gurwitch presents some hilarious stories of how jobs are lost and how new opportunities present themselves. She eventually broadens the scope of her exploration and delves into the state of the American workforce and the massive layoffs that occur with frightening regularity in this country. While the film widens and shifts to a more serious tone, it never becomes pedantic nor does it leave its grounding in the individual. In her performance on camera, Gurwitch displays great comic timing and improvisational skills, a timing that is also reflected in the editing, helping the film to move along at a brisk, but even, pace. Fired! does not try to overstretch itself; rather, it remains humble, but it is a truly cathartic experience for anyone who has ever been laid off.
Opens February 2 at Village East Cinemas
Opens February 2 at Village East Cinemas
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