Student Services is a French-language film, released in 2010, directed by Emmanuelle Bercot and starring Déborah François in the lead role of Laura. It is based on the autobiographical novel-turned-essay, Mes Chères Etudes (My Expensive Studies), by Laura D.
The movie follows Laura, a smart and hardworking university student struggling to make ends meet. She works part-time at a fast-food restaurant but her income is not enough to cover her living expenses, tuition fees, and books. One day, while browsing through personal ads for extra income, she comes across the ad from Joe (played by Mathieu Demy).
Desperate for money, Laura decides to meet Joe. She goes to a hotel room where he pays her 100 euros per hour for "tender moments." At first, Laura feels guilty and ashamed of what she is doing, but soon she gets addicted to the easy money. She rationalizes her actions by telling herself that this is a one-time thing, and she needs the money to make ends meet.
However, the more Laura gets involved with Joe, the more she loses control of her life. She starts skipping classes, neglects her studies, and becomes more isolated from her friends. Soon, Laura is consumed by her newfound financial freedom but at a cost that she was not prepared to face.
The plot of the movie revolves around Laura's moral dilemma, as she struggles to balance her financial needs and her dignity. As the story progresses, we see her face the consequences of her choices and how they impact her life. Through Laura's story, the movie raises important questions about the struggles of university students with a lack of financial security and the dangers of getting involved in the sex industry.
