Two Days, One Night (****1/2)

'Two Days, One Night' functions with little more than an idea: one woman's job depends upon the sympathy of her coworkers. Given a chance, would you forfeit your yearly bonus check in order to save a coworker from unemployment? It's an intriguing idea, one that seems to be a modern-day '12 Angry Men.'

We meet Sandra (Marion Cotillard), a mother of two who has recently overcome depression. She receives a phone call informing her that she has been made redundant at her job. She takes a few pills to numb the pain and hides the news from her children, but her husband is adamant: this is not the end. Sandra seems to have some support in her office, and they convince the boss to hold a recount of the results. On Monday morning, the staff will meet to decide whether or not they are willing to surrender their bonus. As the title suggests, Sandra has two days to meet 16 of her coworkers and attempt to reason with them. It's going to be a long weekend.

This is a film that at times falls into extreme repetition: Sandra journeys across the city, tells these coworkers she needs to keep her job, and listens to their response. In the hands of a lesser filmmaker such a story would fall apart. The beauty of the film is just that; the stunning moments that cushion the film and make it something truly great. We watch Sandra speak to a woman in the countryside who needs her bonus to build a new patio. The long take is beautifully framed as these two woman face each other, divided vertically by the corner of the home and shadows cast along their faces. Another moment sees Sandra climb several stories to an apartment due to power outage. Each visit is such a gamble for her, and the darkness is always closing in on her as she continues to battle her inner demons. The film is comprised of extremely long takes, one after the other, and with each new scene it becomes clear what a work of art this movie is - it's a careful balancing act that never loses its focus.

Marion Cotillard is stunning and carries the film singlehandedly. She is in nearly every moment of the film, and it's a wonder the Academy took so long to nominate her again for her continued commitment to excellence on screen. Compared to her previous roles, this is simply astonishing. Cotillard has come to be known for flashy performances and her portrayals of characters with great depth. Here, she is a simple woman who needs only to hold back tears long enough to make her point. We know she is on the bring of a breakdown, and her life literally hangs in the balance. There is never a 'false' moment in the film, and in fact it's quite a realistic depiction of a person going through trauma and mental fatigue.

The ending is perhaps a surprise to those who haven't read plot details, and the salvation found in Sandra's character is the crowning moment of such a beautiful film.  It's quiet, honest, and remarkable.

(Awards potential: Best Actress (Cotillard), Best Original Screenplay, Best Foreign Language Film)