The Assistant

1997
1h 56m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

It's the turn of the century and jobs are hard to find. A young man assigns himself the job of a store clerk, without pay, only a place to sleep and eat, after he was manipulated by a hoodlu... Read allIt's the turn of the century and jobs are hard to find. A young man assigns himself the job of a store clerk, without pay, only a place to sleep and eat, after he was manipulated by a hoodlum friend into robbing the man's store. Soon he falls in love with the pragmatic store owne... Read allIt's the turn of the century and jobs are hard to find. A young man assigns himself the job of a store clerk, without pay, only a place to sleep and eat, after he was manipulated by a hoodlum friend into robbing the man's store. Soon he falls in love with the pragmatic store owner's daughter, who hesitates in giving her heart, or body. Nonetheless, the young man perse... Read all

Director
- Daniel Petrie
Writers
- Bernard Malamud
- Daniel Petrie
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.8/10

186

YOUR RATING

Director
- Daniel Petrie
Writers
- Bernard Malamud
- Daniel Petrie
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Photos

Featured review

10/10

Superb Movie

Based on the not so great ratings, I never expected this quiet little movie to be so wonderful. Based on a Malamud story, which I have not read, yet, it manages to convey the feeling that a Bernard Malamud, or Isaac Bashevis Singer, story often evokes. This is not an easy thing for a film, as many readers know how difficult it is to find movies that manage to successfully capture the feeling of the written work.

This film succeeds in conveying the complex emotional web in which the characters find themselves entangled.

I am saddened, but not surprised, that so many of the reviews, here on IMDb, are not as glowing as my take on this gem of a film. Not surprisingly, out of the 49 or so reviews, the gender breakdown shows that women on the whole like this film more than the men.

This is a rather quiet and gentle movie, although there are some scenes of frightening violence, that speaks to both the heart and mind.

Since I wrote this review, I have read the book, and it is superb, and I can now state that, in my opinion, this movie has successfully made the transition from book to film. The movie has really captured the feel of the book. If you enjoyed either one, be sure to try the other.

I still still think about this story. The story exemplifies the concept of "Remorse and Redemption" read the book and see the movie. Absolutely SUPERB.