Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others, 2006): Context: Set in East Germany, this film follows a Stasi officer tasked with surveilling a playwright. Illustration: The Stasi’s internal culture is characterized by unemotional, objective reporting and evaluation. Feedback about performance is delivered in a cold, formal manner, with little regard for personal feelings. The film’s tone and dialogue reflect a clear separation between professional duty and personal emotion.
deeply personal
9 to 5 (1980). Three women, frustrated by their sexist boss, band together to improve their toxic workplace. The feedback they receive – dismissal, condescension, and lack of recognition – is deeply personal and motivates them to take action. Their eventual success is celebrated as both professional and personal vindication.
mentor-mentee
The Intern (2015). Ben (Robert De Niro), a senior intern, and Jules (Anne Hathaway), a young CEO, develop a close mentor-mentee relationship. Feedback is delivered with empathy and care, and both characters grow personally and professionally through their interactions. The film highlights how feedback is tailored to the individual and is meant to support both performance and personal well-being.
emotionally charged
Jerry Maguire (1996). After a moral crisis, sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is fired for his ideals but finds new purpose by building genuine, personal relationships with his clients. Feedback from clients and colleagues is emotionally charged and transformative, showing how professional evaluation in America is inextricably linked to personal values and identity.
affects lives and emotions
Up in the Air (2009). This film centers on a corporate downsizer (George Clooney) whose job is to fire employees. It poignantly explores the emotional vulnerability of those receiving such feedback and the human side of corporate decisions, emphasizing how feedback – especially negative – deeply affects individuals’ lives and emotions.
self-esteem and identity
The Devil Wears Prada (2006). The movie portrays a young assistant (Anne Hathaway) under a demanding boss (Meryl Streep). Feedback is often harsh and personal, affecting the protagonist’s self-esteem and identity. It highlights how feedback in American workplaces can be emotionally charged and closely tied to personal development.
the wrong way
“Don’t take it the wrong way.” Meaning: Acknowledges that feedback might feel personal and encourages the recipient to see the positive intent behind it.
homeless salesman
In Pursuit of Happyness (2006). Based on a true story, this film shows the struggles of a homeless salesman (Will Smith) who faces constant challenges and feedback on his performance. The emotional resilience required to process and grow from feedback is a central theme, illustrating the personal impact of professional evaluation.
considerate, personal
“It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” Meaning: Emphasizes the importance of delivering feedback in a considerate, personal manner.