I watch films to see things that I've never seen before, and the day-to-day activities of a 67 year old car salesman in an economically depressed town in way way north Quebec, while hardly action packed, is an existence so alien in its specificity that I have to thank The Salesman for taking me there.
Imagine a typical Pennsylvania town where everyone is out of work, but everyone is French for some reason. From my bigoted American perspective, the curiosity of this setting is enough to lend it a Twilight Zone aura.
If you live here, you know Marcel. He probably sold you your car. He's a kind man, but smart. At an appointed time each day he reaches into his own pockets to buy sodas for all the mechanics at the dealership. Is it just because he's nice, or because he wants a chit? He is, after all, a salesman.
And he's a dedicated salesman. Despite his age, he is constantly refining his pitch. He audiotapes his interactions with potential buyers and studies them to see where he lost 'em. He uses slick psychology; he really wants what's best for his customer. We've been trained by movies (and perhaps our own experience) to distrust all salesmen, but Marcel is just as gentle with his daughter and young grandson.
The bulk of The Salesman is just. . .observing. We're in the showroom with him, we're in town with him. Despite this focus, we never get inside his head. Unfortunately, I'm not clear if this was director Sebastien Pilote's intention.
He reacts with a reflexive calm to the economic devastation in his community. The paper mill is closing, no one in their right mind is buying a car right now. Still, Marcel soldiers on, until tragedy strikes.
I won't get into the specifics, but a random act (quite late in the running time of the film) seems almost too cruel on Pilote's behalf. It is surely a meaningful event, but all The Salesman does is turn. . .sad.
There aren't many revelatory moments in this very curious film, but despite the frustration I found the picture mesmerizing. The look of Northern Quebec is outstanding, with endless landscapes that fade out into white. As a mood piece The Salesman is a success, as a mouthpiece to create understanding about communities in decline, I'm not quite sure it made its point.
