The Assistant 2020
Directed by
Kitty Green
Made by
Bleecker Street
Plot Summary
The film unfolds over a single, intense day in the life of Jane, portrayed by Julia Garner, a junior assistant who has just begun her challenging role at a New York City film production company. After arriving before dawn, Jane dives into a series of monotonous yet essential administrative tasks, such as turning on lights, changing coffee filters, printing presentations, organizing office supplies, and even cleaning stains from her boss’s couch. The relentless demands of her job create an atmosphere of stress that envelops her throughout the day.
During a phone conversation with her mother, Jane realizes she has neglected to call her father on his birthday—an oversight that weighs heavily on her mind. As the day unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that her boss, Purva Bedi, is entrenched in a pattern of inappropriate behavior, engaging in sexual encounters with younger women within the confines of his office and perpetuating an environment rife with sexual harassment. The male executives make lewd comments regarding her boss’s escapades, while the female staff are left to shoulder their responsibilities and discuss potential departmental transfers.
Each time Jane commits what her boss perceives as a mistake, he retaliates with abusive phone calls, all while her male co-workers, Jonny Orsini and Noah Robbins, watch in silence. Throughout Jane’s day, various figures from her boss’s life make brief appearances—ranging from his wife to his children’s nanny, a well-known actor, and a group of Chinese film producers.
Come afternoon, a newcomer named Sienna, played by Kristine Froseth, arrives from Idaho, claiming she has accepted a junior assistant position. Growing increasingly worried for Sienna’s safety, Jane decides to report her concerns to the human resources department after dropping Sienna off at a luxurious company-paid hotel, a privilege that Jane herself never received. Alarmingly, Jane suspects that her boss is using Sienna as his latest fling, engaging in illicit “personal” affairs that take precedence over client meetings.
When Jane encounters Matthew Macfadyen, who plays the head of HR, he initially encourages her to voice her worries. However, he quickly backtracks, suggesting that Jane is overly sensitive, inferring that she is envious of the new assistant. His warning that filing a complaint could jeopardize her career further reinforces the toxic culture at play. As she departs his office feeling demoralized, he reminds her that she has nothing to fear because she isn’t his boss’s “type.”
Returning to her desk, Jane receives a call from her boss, who has been informed of her unfiled report. He demands an apology via email, which she reluctantly sends. Her boss later contacts her, claiming he is particularly hard on her to push her potential.
As the day comes to an end, Sienna drops by the office for a tutorial on the phone systems. With night approaching, Jane prepares a microwave dinner. While other employees exit the building, her boss lingers in his office with a young actress. Shortly thereafter, he instructs Jane through the intercom to head home. She chooses to visit a nearby coffee shop, where she calls her father while snacking on a muffin. Yet, as she hangs up, she catches a glimpse of a silhouette in her boss’s office window that suggests an ongoing indiscretion.
Timeline
Jane Arrives at Work
Before dawn breaks, Jane arrives at the bustling New York City film production company where she will spend her day as a junior assistant. Eager yet apprehensive, she begins her early morning routine, diving into a series of monotonous administrative tasks that are vital to the functioning of the office.
Daily Tasks Begin
Jane engages in various repetitive tasks that define her role, including turning on the lights and preparing coffee. Each small job, from printing presentations to cleaning stains from her boss's couch, adds to the tension of her work environment, highlighting the overwhelming demands placed on her.
Forgotten Birthday Call
During a phone call with her mother, Jane is reminded that she forgot to call her father on his birthday. This realization strikes a chord with her, adding guilt to the already heavy atmosphere of stress and responsibility she feels at work throughout the day.
Witnessing Inappropriate Behavior
As the day progresses, Jane observes her boss engaging in inappropriate behavior and making sexual advances towards younger women in the office. The uncomfortable lewd comments from male executives exacerbate Jane's feelings of discomfort and highlight the toxic atmosphere surrounding her.
Abusive Phone Calls
Each time Jane makes a mistake, her boss retaliates with abusive phone calls, further intensifying her anxiety. Meanwhile, her male colleagues, Jonny and Noah, remain silent witnesses to this mistreatment, amplifying Jane's sense of isolation and oppression in the workplace.
New Assistant Sienna Arrives
In the afternoon, a new junior assistant named Sienna arrives from Idaho, which raises immediate concerns for Jane. Not only is Jane worried about Sienna's safety in the hostile work environment, but she also fears that Sienna may become her boss's next target.
Reporting to HR
Concerned for Sienna's well-being, Jane attempts to report her worries to the human resources department. After dropping Sienna off at a luxurious hotel—a benefit Jane never experienced herself—she feels compelled to step forward and warn about the potential dangers awaiting the newcomer.
HR's Dismissal
Upon meeting with Matthew, the head of HR, Jane finds her concerns quickly dismissed as being overly sensitive and envious. His warning about the repercussions of filing a complaint leaves Jane feeling demoralized and trapped in a toxic environment where her voice carries little weight.
Demand for an Apology
After her meeting with HR, Jane receives a call from her boss, who has been informed of her report. He demands an apology via email, insisting that his harshness is merely a tactic to train her for future success, leaving Jane feeling conflicted and helpless.
Sienna's Office Visit
Later in the evening, Sienna drops by the office for a tutorial on the phone systems, indicating her eagerness to learn. This moment serves as a reminder of Jane's deepening concerns for Sienna, who seems oblivious to the risks present in their workplace.
End of Workday
As the workday comes to a close, Jane prepares to leave but notices that her boss is still in the office with a young actress. This ominous sight raises alarm bells in her mind, further emphasizing her discomfort with the ongoing atmosphere of inappropriate encounters within the company.
A Moment of Reflection
Choosing to avoid the tense environment, Jane decides to visit a nearby coffee shop instead of heading home immediately. While enjoying a snack and catching up with her father over the phone, she reflects on the day’s events, weighed down by her experiences.
A Disturbing Realization
As Jane ends her call with her father, she sees a silhouette in her boss's office window that suggests an ongoing indiscretion. This final moment crystallizes her fears about the other women's safety and solidifies her resolve to take a stand against the toxic dynamic at her workplace.
Characters
Jane
Portrayed by Julia Garner, Jane is a junior assistant facing the harsh realities of her role in a male-dominated environment. Her character embodies resilience and vulnerability as she navigates her challenging tasks while grappling with her boss's misconduct and personal conflicts.
HR Head
Matthew Macfadyen plays the head of HR, who initially appears supportive but reveals a troubling inclination to dismiss Jane's concerns. His character illustrates the complexities of workplace power dynamics and the ways in which those in authority can undermine their employees' voices.
Sienna
Sienna, portrayed by Kristine Froseth, is the new assistant who becomes the object of Jane's concern. Her arrival brings fresh urgency to Jane's fears about the workplace environment, highlighting the ongoing cycle of exploitation faced by new employees.
Setting
Time period
The film unfolds over the course of a single day in the contemporary workplace, reflecting the ongoing struggles individuals face in navigating toxic work cultures. This time frame emphasizes the urgency and mounting pressure of Jane's situation, mirroring contemporary societal issues surrounding workplace harassment.
Location
New York City
New York City serves as the bustling backdrop for 'The Assistant,' renowned for its vibrant film industry and fast-paced lifestyle. The film's setting highlights the intense and often exhausting environment of a production company, showcasing the stark contrasts between personal aspirations and professional realities.
Themes
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Harassment
The film poignantly addresses the theme of harassment, exploring the implications of power imbalances in professional settings. Jane's experiences highlight the pervasive issue of inappropriate behavior and the challenges faced by those who stand against it in a toxic work environment.
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Isolation
Isolation is a major theme, as Jane feels increasingly alone in her struggle against the unacceptable behavior of her boss. Despite being surrounded by co-workers, their silence amplifies Jane's feelings of vulnerability and helplessness, making her fight for justice even more daunting.
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Stress
The relentless pace of Jane's day encapsulates the theme of stress, showcasing how overwhelming job demands can impact mental and emotional well-being. Her mounting responsibilities create an atmosphere that is suffocating, ultimately testing her resolve and decision-making throughout the day.
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