Student Services


Student Services is a 2010 French television film directed by Emmanuelle Bercot. It had a theatrical release in Poland and Italy. It is based on the book Mes chères études by Laura D.

Plot

Laura is a student who works in a call centre. One day she faints in public during a lecture because she hasn't eaten enough. She is given the advice to sue her parents but her working class parents can't afford to pay more money. Little later when she is at home the energy provider cuts off the power because of overdue payments. Once the electricity is back she surfs the internet for an additional job. Eventually she ends up on a dubious website where mature men advertise in order to get to know women. She contacts a man called Joe who wants to pay her for keeping him company. When they meet she is very nervous and obviously very ashamed but her experienced suitor manages to euphemize the situation. He tells her this business is only about fantasy and nowadays everything is for sale, including fantasy fulfillment. His payment enables her to pay bills and to have a little party. She continues to meet men for money and Joe becomes a regular. But while she gets used to the money she doesn't get used to what she has to do for it. Clients overstep lines and cheat her out of her money and finally even Joe does that. Laura suffers a breakdown.

Cast

The critic MaryAnn Johanson wrote the film was "well-acted" and "far more sad than it is scandalous". Other critics also recognised the acting performance of Déborah François but the screenplay was evaluated as unconvincing due to a lack of "proper character development".