Office Space

Office Space
[DVD Office]

This 1999 film is something of a cult classic -- not a huge blockbuster, but a quirky oddball comedy that fans keep coming back to again and again. Written and produced by Mike Judge, the man behind the animated hits Beavis and Butthead and King of the Hill, Office Space is, in part, based on a series of short animated pieces that feature nebbishy office worker Milton. Ron Livingston headlines the cast, as Peter Gibbons, a cubicle-inhabiting cog in a corporate environment at Initech. When the company appears to be going into downsizing mode, Peter and his co-workers hatch a scheme to use a software bug to skim a vast amount of money from the company's accounts before they get canned. The humor here is painful and absurd. Gary Cole is a scene stealer as Bill Lumbergh, the main boss, who puts his employees through sheer hell in preparation for firing them. Peter, the unsuspecting victim of a hypnotist, who leaves him suspended in a state of mind in which his inhibitions are removed, is a fascinating character, as is Milton (Stephen Root), a mumbling cubicle dweller who was fired but never left the building. Jennifer Anniston is featured as Peter's new girlfriend, who is working for a T.G.I. Friday's-like restaurant, whose management is obsessed with the employees wearing "flair" -- buttons, badges, etc. This is smart, savvy comedy, poking fun at corporate culture as well as examples of idiocy in other venues as well. Totally unbelievable, but cathartic for anyone who's felt like taking revenge on a boss. You'll never look at the red Swingline stapler in your office the same way again!-- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [subscribe to Scott's It's All Geek to Me! newsletter or any of the libraries' 37 other monthly booklist newsletters!]

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ]

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