1999 comedyRating: 14/20
Plot: A guy gets fed up with his office job and decides that he's not going to do it anymore. Results are unexpected. He tries to bag a waitress who doesn't have enough buttons.
Speaking of that waitress, here's an earlier contender for 2012 Most Arousing Movie Moment of the Year: Jennifer Aniston's character saying, "I love kung-fu." Yeah, I got wood. This movie probably isn't as funny as you think it is. I don't think it's worth watching more than once although I know more than a few people who seem to watch it all the time. It's amusing, and I like the laid-back tone that is mostly created by Ron Livingston as our protagonist, Peter. He's like Charlie Sheen without the whores and blow, Sheen-lite. I do really like his line about how "every time you see [him], it's the worst day of [his] life." The exaggerated character types somehow manage to seem realistic which works in this comedy's favor. Stephen Root's fun as Milton, and John C. McGinley's funny in a more natural way in a pre-Scrubs role. The look on his face when he finds out that the boss's feelings about Peter don't match his is really funny. This meanders and loses its way a bit during the final third, and I got a little bored. It's not a bad little comedy though.
The tone, characters, and a handful of very funny moments carry this. It all just feels very subversive, and appreciating it makes you feel like your siding with the cool kids. "Flair", singing in the car, bashing the copy machine...these are scenes that regularly amuse me when I think of them. A 17.
ReplyDeleteI give it a 16. I agree that the last third really drags, but the first 2/3 is genius. Very quotable, and its filled with fully fleshed out characters that you either really care about, or really dislike. Its the sort of movie you can watch over and over again, and appreciate what it offers.
ReplyDeletei use to think monty python was funny til i got sick of everyone doing the bits. I was sick of this before i even saw it because of everyone doing the bits. it is nowhere near as funny as people think it is. AND WHAT ABOUT BOB SUCKS!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Bob?
ReplyDeleteThis is a true story:
ReplyDeleteI was working as a mangager at TGI Friday's when 'Office Space' came out on cable.
Within a year, flair was gone from the uniforms.
There should be a term for movies that due to thier quotablity, gain traction in culture. You can't call it cult, becuase it denotes small groups. Ideas?
If you have ever worked in sales, you are required to see "Glen Gary Glen Ross." If you work in a restraunt, you watch "Waiting." If you work in an office, you must watch "Office Space." It's funny becuase it's true.
17/20