John & Jane (2005) User Reviews

An excellent film

[district · 7/10 · 28 April 2006]

I found "John & Jane: Toll Free" to be quite well directed, with excellent cinematography and an overt avoidance of trying to send a "message" about the whether the call centers in India are good or bad. Through an unbiased examination of several call workers lives, we get to see the absurdity of both the Americans (who are being sold worthless products, or "slammed" for a different long distance provider) and the Indians (who alternately view the call center as a way out of poverty or the chains which keep them in it).

The amusing stories and all-too-real humanity contained throughout the film certainly kept my interest.

Interesting movie

[krishnaojha-41936 · 8/10 · 27 August 2020]

For me John and Jane was very realistic and relatable .The movie has nicely picturised Indian American values in a very convincing way.The actors succeeded in making a mark on the viewers mind .Must watch if you enjoy watching true to life movies

Review

[aliashargkp · 8/10 · 26 August 2020]

A very good movie. Watching good movies like this. Wonderful film.

Brilliant Doc...

[christophe68 · 14 December 2005]

I got to grab the last two tickets to a sold-out show of "John & Jane" at the Toronto Film Festival. This film is absolutely brilliant! At first, you aren't sure what the film IS really about...yes, of course, we are told it is a documentary about Indians who work at night answering American 1-800 calls, but beyond that you keep asking yourself "what is the point? where is this heading?" - some people I spoke to just didn't get it at all and felt "let down" by the lack of a conventional structure or storyline…which is EXACTLY what I'm getting to… About 30 minutes into the film, after you have spent time with two call centre workers who (understandably) hate their jobs, you get a character who goes by the telephone alias "Osmond" - he tells you that, in fact, he quite likes the job and is on his way to becoming a billionaire! Osmond is followed by a mysterious girl called "Niki Cooper" who loves the job even more than he does, explaining that the call centre is like her family and that she loves all her callers! This film f**ks with your head… Slowly, a picture of transformation emerges. No, there is no straight story line here, but each character builds on the character that precedes it…until you arrive at the near-cyborg "Naomi" – who looks American but is clearly Indian. Her face is bleached white and hair is synthetic blond. Yes, then the "story" is clear as day – the Indian has "become" a sort of virtual American, physically, mentally and emotionally! Mind you, this is not science fiction or fantasy. It is a "documentary" although the film subtly destroys many documentary conventions. It is actually a piece of experimental film-making in the guise of a pop-doc, which is why viewers looking for a film on outsourcing may be disappointed. "John & Jane" uses outsourcing issue as a way to bring viewers in – but the film is clearly about the idea of "America" as a utopia for so many people in the world.

If you are looking for a straight-up BBC film on call centres, STAY AWAY. On the other hand, if you have an open mind and are adventurous about new kinds of film-making, "John & Jane" may be just the thing for you.

New Forms/ New Worlds: John & Jane

[sandok · 10/10 · 26 September 2005]

One of the most anticipated films of the 2005 Toronto Film Festival, John & Jane recounts the hopes and dreams of six call centre agents in India who offer long-distance goods and services to Americans. They are encouraged to adopt American names, accents and values – individualism, success, progress, the pursuit of happiness – to veil their Indian-ness. The film is a work of non-fiction that speaks to the painful ironies of globalization and inequity using the lush cinematic vocabulary of a polished feature. When I ask director and editor Ashim Ahluwalia about the remarkable look of his documentary, he replies: "Certain things are seen as documentary and certain things are seen as fiction based more on the medium that you are using and the style of the shooting than the actual content. For example, you shoot something hand-held and it becomes documentary; you shoot it static and it becomes fiction. So I was interested in just what happens if you shoot something on 35mm film and static and it's the same material that you would otherwise shoot on DV and hand-held. "It was a challenge to see if we could do something on 35mm that could be intimate and at the same time still fall in this strange liminal space between fiction and non-fiction… I honestly have a problem with the whole cinemavérité thing – the idea that you can be present in a room and nobody knows. You might as well feel like it's fiction and be conscious of the artifice. These guys are also faking who they are; they are fictionalizing themselves, they have fake names, fake identities within this fiction/ non-fiction space." Rather than intercutting the stories of Glen, Sydney, Osmond, Nikki, Nicholas and Naomi, Ahluwalia primarily presents them to us one after the other in a series of portraits: "The film was structured as a transformation process from someone who really hates his job to someone who really loves it; there's an underlying journey that's happening from an Indian boy and girl to a final sort of "John" and "Jane," virtual American characters… In a strange way I think of all six of them as the journey of one person." From Osmond filling the void of a parent's death by devoting himself to Amway to Naomi feeling the need to repeat three times that she is naturally blonde, each scene is as piercing as the voice of Glen's mother waking him from peaceful slumber. The subjects' glorified, mythic image of the United States is one cobbled together from platitudes, Hollywood movies and Sears catalogues; Americans are described as "casual" and "nice" while treating the call centre agents as irritants ("we're some f**king human beings here," Glen poignantly pleads). But the charged relationship between a land of plenty and one of deprivation cuts both ways: one agent curtly dispatches a woman who dialed the wrong number to report domestic abuse while another coercively pressures an elderly man to purchase a long distance calling plan. Despite the tragicomic political truths of their American obsession, Ahluwalia never judges his subjects, treading a fine line between critique and affection. "You have a certain kind of baggage that you enter a space with, but I think that eventually you have to let it go and become much more empathetic because things are not as clear-cut. A lot of people think that it's just a straight-up political film but it's much more grey than that… When you're within it and spending a lot of time with people, you begin to understand the logic of why they would actually do what they do so that it becomes very difficult to be judgmental. You have to be much more open and just let the grey area pop out a bit and let it be… let it just be open-ended like that."

• JON DAVIS, September 14th, 2005

More than it seems

[mamlukman · 9/10 · 25 April 2006]

We wanted to see this in Toronto in Sept. 2005, but it was sold out. So we saw it at the DC Filmfest April 23, 2006. Some people will see it as rather boring and uninvolving. However, I thought it was impressive on several levels. As you go through the six sketches about the call center workers, it takes a while to realize that once you've left a character, that's it, you're not going back to see what happened to them. Enough is shown about each character to show you the essence of what makes them tick, but not enough to get you too emotionally involved. No matter what attitude you bring into the movie (mine was "the call centers are probably exploiting these people and overworking them"), your attitude will change during the movie. Certainly the first character, Glen, summed up what my feelings would probably be--trapped, hates the job, but see no way to escape. But that's Glen. As you go on, you see that the others really love their jobs and their lives, and that their lives have been transformed at a much deeper level by the job and the environment. I think for the real meaning of the movie you have to go back to the opening narration--it's a virtual life, with real people trapped in it. Some of them begin to see this virtual life as reality. Whether that's good or bad, I'm not sure--is it better to see the world completely realistically? Wouldn't you just commit suicide?--but to some extent we are all in the same boat, and that's what makes this movie much more than a documentary about a call center in Bombay.

Mindblowing

[jamilsayyed · 7/10 · 27 August 2020]

Such a relevant theme in John & Jane which is still so timely. Dark web of technology, capitalism and globalization depicted in such a stylish manner.

Wow, you really missed the point !

[simon-basic · 10/10 · 10 May 2007]

Foolish, poorly thought-out review this... seems as though you are close to answering your own questions, but somehow you don't exert yourself enough.

Paterfam001 asks "Why would you put the sequence featuring the most rebellious, anarchic, foul-mouthed characters first?" ANSWER: for the simple reason that it is the OBVIOUS point of view to have...to HATE this crappy job. But the film doesn't fall into obvious traps - it starts with the guys who hate the job (a POV that, as audiences, we relate to) ... and slowly brings us to understand those who obsessively LOVE that very same job. There is nothing random or unclear about this decision - in fact, it is a strategy central to the way this film operates. The film twists our expectations... it doesn't preach to the preached, but flips things "the wrong way round", unlike a typical documentary that feeds us what we already know. We are rarely used to being attacked as so-called "liberal" viewers and that is precisely what this film does... to know this is to understand what lies at the heart of "John & Jane" and perhaps why it makes spoon-fed audiences uneasy. Films like Von Trier's Dogville and Manderlay could also be seen to operate in this way.

I may suggest, Paterfam001, that you stick to the comfort of TV - more specifically, Animal Planet, where whales continue to swim the virgin waters in a simple, happy world.

Unfortunately, the world I occupy in is not that simple, linear, idiotic. It is a mysterious, unfair, strange & complex place, and a film that lives up to the challenge of these difficult times is rare indeed.

"John&Jane" at Berlinale!

[OlivieFOURNIER · 9/10 · 1 February 2006]

This excellent new film from India is showing for the first time in Europe at the Berlin Film Festival. After great reviews at Toronto, I expected a very stupid film like Super Size Me... no, this turned out quite surreal - what a scary, weird and odd world this film shows us. And it is all real - our strange 21st world!

The film was voted one of the best undistributed films of the year in the US by both The Village Voice and Indiewire, who have their pulse on new independent cinema.

"In vast, fluorescent rooms, thousands of ambitious young Indians talk to people in Kentucky, California or Idaho. Bridging continents by telephone, they pitch products and soothe frayed consumer nerves. As they troubleshoot, they dream of America. As they dream, they change. What is it like to transport yourself to a remote land you've never even seen? How does it feel to live so far outside your own body? Welcome to the world of offshore call centers. John & Jane is an astonishing look at the souls of the outsourced. Shot on 35mm and composed with unsettling grace, this documentary finds an entirely original and fitting language to express the eerie dislocation of virtual work. The lives it depicts are real, but the film's approach gives those lives the scope of speculative fiction."

The music is really beautiful, too - very ambient and chilling - with electronic musicians from all over contributing to the score, including Germany's Thomas Brinkmann and Japan's Minamo.

For anyone who likes films that don't leave you easily - this is a must see!

A fantastic story

[naseemakhter-25621 · 7/10 · 27 August 2020]

Award-winning documentary John and jane depicts the life of Call Centre workers in this globalized world. This was really a unique storyline well handled by the director.

Wonderful movie

[gabdul-93526 · 7/10 · 27 August 2020]

I didn't know that Ahluwalia had made any movie before Miss Lovely. And what a revelation this was that too this was made in 2005! What?

Uneven & not that Impressive Overall

[arcdanku · 5/10 · 7 May 2011]

The explosion of call centers in India is an intriguing topic for a documentary, & I had heard a lot about this movie. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me. The characters were just not that engaging, & in no case it went really deep into the call center life. In one case, a woman spends a lot of time explaining she is a natural blond. Now that's typical in an Indian call center! I would have liked to know more about where these people come from. What's their education. Their family. I also think it was centered on one city, and on sales only, whereas call centers also have tech support, customer service, market research & a whole lot of other activities. There were these shots of Mumbai that seemed to scream "look at me, I'm so artsy!" Further, overall the drudgery of call centers didn't really some through. Also, I would have liked to see the management side, how they react to the callers. I would have liked to see someone who got burnt-out (which is very common in call centers). There were some sequences that were very competent, but overall it felt it just didn't form a satisfying story, which is what a documentary should be.

Great

[kavitasahu-30435 · 8/10 · 26 August 2020]

John & jane is very nice fiction movie. Where six agent of a call center provides services and goods for long distance to USA, they are encourage and happy to have American name and culture. Moves around negativity of globalisation in a very polite manner. Director Ashwin Ahluwalia done very great job as he turn the movie in very dramatic way. Overall the movie was amazing.

Lovely Movie

[basantpanwar · 8/10 · 27 August 2020]

Saw John & Jane on Netflix. This documentary by Ashim Ahluwalia which was selected in the Toronto Film Festival is really a dope one.

Brilliant movie

[teenabagdiya · 7/10 · 26 August 2020]

I thought it was impressive on several levels. As you go through the six sketches about the call center workers, it takes a while to realize that once you've left a character, that's it, you're not going back to see what happened to them. Enough is shown about each character to show you the essence of what makes them tick, but not enough to get you too emotionally involved. No matter what attitude you bring into the movie (mine was "the call centers are probably exploiting these people and overworking them"), your attitude will change during the movie. Certainly the first character, Glen, summed up what my feelings would probably be--trapped, hates the job, but see no way to escape.

Brilliant Stuff

[kumarshailc · 9/10 · 27 August 2020]

John & Jane is the Movie portrait the Present World. Emotions characterized in a superb manner. The Director's efforts are really wonderful As he has made a proper balance in each n every scene.

Most awaited movie on netflix

[jaidabano · 7/10 · 27 August 2020]

As the film delves deeper into the characters' lives, John & Jane becomes increasingly interesting and almost kind of a thriller.

Amezing movie

[roshanhrithik-36847 · 9/10 · 26 August 2020]

This movie is a must watch for everyone the movie is available on Netflix go watch it right now.A Brilliant film, about capital and Technology . Watched it few days Back and have never Forgotten it since . This once is truly recommended .

Great experience

[sahurahuljan · 7/10 · 26 August 2020]

The character in the stories glen,sydeny& Osmond and all other are very interesting to watch. The story of all character is actual performance of one individual performance. Each scene is interesting and watchfull with link to all emotions and character.It is no political film and you understand there feeling and reality behind all scences and story.

Real annd relatable

[dineshsujivtv · 8/10 · 26 August 2020]

It was the film in the truest scene that had established Ahulwalia as a respectable figure. The charaters are so real and relatable .It is a future predicting movie Than just a simple film

Superb movie

[hemrajkarwasra · 7/10 · 26 August 2020]

The film was voted one of the best undistributed films of the year in the US by both The Village Voice and Indiewire, who have their pulse on new independent cinema. The music is really beautiful, too - very ambient and chilling - with electronic musicians from all over contributing to the score, including Germany's Thomas Brinkmann and Japan's Minamo.

Good material, run-of-the-mill execution.

[paterfam001 · 5/10 · 27 October 2005]

'John & Jane' is a documentary about the outsourcing of telephone soliciting jobs to India, which has a large pool of underemployed young people who speak good English. Now it's not exactly big news in North America that telephone soliciting is a hateful job -- a traditional bottom-of-the-barrel for students needing extra money and those without marketable skills or work-history. Given this, the director of 'John & Jane' needs to make some further point, uniquely relevant to his culture, and I think he fails to do this.

There is a good case to be made for the opinion that phone-soliciting is innately useless, and long sequences of perky young Indian girls pestering lonely old Texans with cheap long-distance phone plans might have made it. There is a case to be made for the soul-desiccating quality of the work, or for the inherent dishonesty of the companies who employ these young people, for the huge gap between the aspirations they arouse and the rewards they grant. There are good points to be made with the materials in this movie, and the director probably thought of them all, but frankly, he didn't make any of them with any conviction.

The reason for this is, I think, mostly artistic, though perhaps diffuse and contradictory attitudes are behind the artistic failure. If the director had had a coherent point-of-view or a strong opinion, he might have edited the sequences of his various characters to some effect. As it is, they come in random order, and build toward no climax or point. Why would you put the sequence featuring the most rebellious, anarchic, foul-mouthed and colourful characters first? Why does the sequence with the self-deluded would-be billionaire come where it does? Why is the hopeful and naive religious girl placed where she is? The sequences -- the word is a misnomer -- have no sequence, no direction, and hence the points that might have been made are lost.

Timing is also a problem, and this too is a problem of editing the material. The individual sequences go on too long. Tightly edited, this documentary would not remotely approach feature-film length. It could be edited to the forty-or-so minutes of a TV hour, and be very much better, artistically, for the cuts.

It is possible that we saw a work-in-progress at Toronto Film Festival. I hope so, but I don't see this as a feature documentary, but as a TV hour, and a worthy one, if properly edited.

You don't wanna going to miss this

[skrocks-65774 · 8/10 · 27 August 2020]

Amazing movie with lots of action scene and a life style of call center workers who tends to balance their family life with job life in a certain manner. This is a documentary movie which can gives you a great experience of every character.

Suprbbbb movie

[sayarakhan · 9/10 · 27 August 2020]

Great direction by Ashim Ahluwalia & a killer electronic soundtrack made John and Jane worthy of all the awards it has received.

beautiful movie

[kamalaseri · 9/10 · 27 August 2020]

John & Jane is high on technical brilliance and it is high on the visual experience as well by creating a unique mix of natural and artificial lighting. To be honest, this is a psychologically numbing experience.