A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY

A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY is an intense, authentic, and profoundly human documentary film that was released in 2014. It features an intriguing cast lineup, including the likes of Alfred Benjamin, Robert Brown, and Steve Buscemi, who narrates the film. Portraying backstage stories of the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY), the film is a tribute to the everyday heroes who spend their lives serving the city and its residents.

This documentary film, packed with robust emotion and nerve-wracking drama, has its roots steeped in the very real experiences of the director Steve Buscemi, who was an active FDNY firefighter in the 1980s before his acting career. Using first-hand accounts, the film explores the reality of being an FDNY firefighter - their camaraderie, challenges, relentless efforts, and their dedication to running into burning buildings when everyone else is running out.

The film provides a sweeping view of the firefighter's lives, including their extensive training, the culture of the brotherhood, and the high stakes, disasters, and emergencies they handle. The narrative is anchored by Buscemi's deeply personal reflections and interviews with fire personnel, active and retired, who share brutally honest, heartfelt stories about the profession’s harsh realities and the bonds that bind them together.

A Good Job takes us behind the public image of firefighting and immerses us in the taxing day-to-day reality. It's not just about danger and adrenaline; it’s about the people who rise to the occasion, taking up an occupation that is more like a calling than a typical job. It’s about the sort of unique shared experiences that foster tight-knit relationships among firefighters, often dubbed a fraternity of brotherhood.

The film also does a commendable job describing the enormous stress that disasters, fires, and emergency calls put on these individuals, not only physically but also psychologically. It dives deep into how these intense experiences affect the mental health of firefighters, and how they cope, providing an in-depth view rarely touched upon in other portrayals.

And perhaps the most moving aspect of this documentary is its discussion of the catastrophic 9/11 attacks. The film goes beyond the usual narrative and provides an intimate, horrifying, and nuanced insight into the events, their aftermath, and the lasting impact on the FDNY. The fatiguing rescue efforts, the loss of numerous colleagues, the trauma, and the resilience of the FDNY community are all touched upon in a way that is both sensitive and intensely emotional.

Among the multitude of characters presented in the film, Buscemi stands out with his gripping narration. He dives headlong into the task, aided by his personal experience as a former FDNY firefighter. Buscemi sheds his typically eccentric roles to convincingly embody a humble figure of empathy towards FDNY firefighters. He uses the proximity to his subject matter to derive incredibly moving stories from his interviewees.

The film was directed by Liz Garbus, a highly esteemed name in the world of documentaries, and the execution of the film lives up to her stellar reputation. The film presents the narratives with an informality that feels utterly genuine, and its presentation is graceful, tactful, and respectful, making A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY an engaging watch.

All things considered, A Good Job: Stories of the FDNY stands as a powerful tribute to the resilience and spirit of New York's bravest. The raw and impactful interviews, combined with the earnest narrative style, create a heartrending portrait of life on the frontlines of one of the world’s most challenging professions. It’s a vivid, intimate, and often heart-wrenching peek into a world largely unseen by those outside it – a portrayal of shared heroism, burdened yet unbowed, all in service of the city they swore to protect.