Il Posto

Ermanno Olmi, 1961, Italy, bw (8.4*)
This is one of the most amazing films I've ever seen. A kid goes into post-war Milan to get a job at a major company, and we follow him from home to the interview, which also involves some simple tests. While there he meets an attractive girl also on a job search. The two flirt through with minor chit-chat, but they don't know if they'll see each other again if either is not hired.

The only drama in the film comes from them getting hired or not. This is Italian neo-realism at its most realistic. Director Olmi not only makes this work, thanks to all amateur actors, but with a great director's touch actually keeps us riveted on the mundane as if life itself was about to break out. This is on many all-time top 1000 film polls.