The very first scene of the film is atop a bridge, where drivers are stressed and fed up with morning traffic, the hectic reality of modern everyday life. The score that is playing is festive and loud , one that sets the tone for the whole movie , one that is light and comedic. The choice of hip hop songs to spice up certain moments is creative and fresh.
In this first sequence, the audience gets a glimpse of the protagonist and diverse set of characters , during their commute, up until the arrival to the company “INTECH” the heart of events and plot of the film. Our protagonist and main character “Peter Gibbons” cooped up in his car seems to be repressed and harboring resentment and anger .
The other classic scene that follows is the cubicle one , where we’re invited into the corporation’s building, it captures perfectly the sense of ennui that envelopes the environnement. A corporate culture that is competitive, where everyone is very busy, stressed and simply frustrated . The perfect toxic formula of depression!
The atmosphere of the movie has that 90s film aesthetic and innocent nostalgic vibe, that I just love from the bottom of my heart, reflecting a much simpler time, and always drenched in pop culture references and a bit of cynicism. Despite the heavy dark nature of the subject, the light tone of a film comedic in its core and essence, renders the storytelling rythem and pace, dynamic and entertaining. I would say the acting is average, mediocre at best.
It’s evident that Peter does feel like a cog in the economic machine, replacable and dead inside. There are these nuances and little details that convey in a subtle manner the protagonist’s mental state and where he stands with realities of worklife and job : ” checking his watch moments after having arrived, being triggered by loud or talkative colleagues, agitated from microagressions of an obnoxious boss etc.” So one techniques he adopts to deal with all that is relieving stress by venting his frustrations and worries to friendly colleagues , which proves to be effective and beneficial in the short run, however very toxic and negative if it doesn’t translate into corrective action or profound change of a problematic situation.
Apparently, this monotonous lifestyle has crushed the spirit of Peter , casting a shadow of numbness and cynicism over all aspects of his life. To the point where even his nightmares revolve around his work anxieties and depression. The story touches on the topic of job security as a priority over wellbeing and mental health, as well as laying off of employees and the tension that is manifested among workerd as a result . The consultants of this downsizing process aren’t the villains, rather tools of the real enemy, that is the corrupt capitalistic system that values profit over people.
A funny twist takes place when Gibbons visits this hypnotherapist to work through his anxiety and depression, who then has a heart attack and dies in the midst of the session, leaving Peter under the influence of hypnosis. The juxtaposition is that he’s now freed from chains of fear and doubt.
This mishap propels our protagonist to start living the life he has always envisioned, but never dared to experience for fear of risking job security. His love life flourishes and his new found careless and slack attitude at work proves to be the magic formula to professional success!
LESSON LEARNED
My take from this fictitious plot is that young people have to try their best to be this perfect combination of pragmatic and passionate. It means that they should carve a profession out of passion, so they wouldn’t feel like slaves wasting their potential and time , and would have the opportunity to thrive and earn their living being involved in projects they’re invested in and doing meaningful work they do appreciate, unlinke Peter the protagonist of the story. Also, healthy environnement is key and that it’s the responsibility of superiors and HR policies to create an office culture that is open and healthy .
This counts as my second viewing of the film , obviously the intention is different watching and reviewing it for the purpose of this post. I remember watching it first when it came out in 2010, which feels like yesterday, somehow it has been 12 years!
The opening credit sequence , let’s call it “up in the air with the clouds” -pun intended – is simply epic. Truly, the perfect marriage between song and film score and shows a mesmeric montage of overhead shots as if from perspective of a plane. It’s truly a testament to the incredible cinematograohy . The song choice which I find very refreshing, compliments the mood, magically merging with the amazing sequences. All these elements intertwined evoke the story’s vibe and dynamic in the most intelligent, artistic and creative way.
The scene that follows is of devastated and heartbroken employees, expressing their anger and all kinds of profanities, moments after been informed of the termination of their service. However, the tone of the scene as well as the entirety of the film is comedic and light , directed by ” Jason Reitman” who’s famous for other intelligently funny movies that have heart, such as “Juno” ,”Tully” & “Young Adult” . A film that deals with the same subject of downsizing/lay off , only from a different perspective than that of the film “Office Space”.
The story is told from the perspective of the protagonist’s character played by Clooney, his voice-over and commentary further details some aspects of the narrative. He and his team of colleagues works for an outsourced downsizing company. That is hired by big corporations to handle the process of firing “”lay off” of employees and all the drama , dirty work and aftermath ” mental recovery, sweetened deals and severance packages etc.” They travel constantly all around USA to perform their duties and responsibilities of this ruthless profession.
As the protagonist, Clooney’s character “Ryan Bingham” says it best in this line “to know me is to fly with me!” , true that, he’s on the road hovering up above from one american state to another for three hundred and more days throughout the year. Not only that, he also does speaking engagements and motivational seminars , that highlights the importance of risk-taking and an eventful adventurous life ,one that resists conformity, monotony and stillness. Perhaps, this consistent movement and life in flight is indicative of his lonesome nature and commitment issues, which is revealed when you delve more into the world and the characters. Or, maybe just maybe, he dislikes stillness because it unmasks his truth before his eyes , so he needs and craves the movement to be forever distracted and numbed, running from real intimacy and family connections.
My analysis of the characters of such professionals called corporate downsizers is that most are charming, diplomatic and politically correct all while being cold, distant and firm. Probably, they must act like that, it’s what is necessary to get the job done. Also, these characteristics I just described is the vibe I get from most of Clooney’s performances anyways, so in that sense it’s perfect casting. Despite being the lead, I wouldn’t say Clooney’s performance is a favorite of mine. I quite enjoyed Jason Bateman’s portrayal, he’s sharp and delightful as ever and Vera Farmiga’s is heartfelt and intimate. Anna Kendrick’s youthful character is refreshing and lovely. Thanks to her manifestation and existence in Ryan Bingham’s universe , she creates this profound change in his lifestyle that threatens his serenity and peace of mind.
Their exchange of dialogue and dynamic is very entertaining and fun to watch. This classic generational clach where the cynic old is dissatisfied and discontented with the new and fresh perspective and undermines their real life experience, while the young one considers the old- fashioned way of doing things is backwards and uninspired. This proves to be a major issue within companies and the in workplace. Anyways, their collaboration and merged approaches and ideologies serve them both, as they learn from and open to each other, eventually manifesting a better life and a future to be genuinely happy about!
In my opinion, it’s a career best for clooney and probably one of favorites in his filmography. The pace and rythem is electric , as a matter of fact the cinematography and camera masterfully executes this, to convey the sense of restlessness and instability of the protagonist and his enviroment. Also, the film score and soundtrack compliments perfectly well these elements. There are these details and minor storylines , like cardboard photographs for example, that in my opinion subtly gives the film a spirit and personality, and weaves the vision of the filmmakers so intimately and still manage to develop the narrative of the plot.
Finally, it’s a feel-good movie that handles so delicately a heavy subject matter and reflects the sad toxic reality of capitalism. A film that begins and ends with clouds shots ,how visulally poetic!
LESSON LEARNED
The fact that these professionals ” termination engineers” are charming, diplomatic and politically correct, cold, distant and firm, does not neccesarily mean that this stressful job doesn’t have its toll on their nervous system and mental wellbeing. And just because they’re highly trained and prepared for worst scenarios to meet their KPIs and targets, does not mean that their empathetic human side is wiped away. The employees are devastated and feel as if stabbed in the back, yet the seemingly collected downsizing professionals die inside with each delivery of this troubling information. So, there’s actually no victim nor a criminal , in the rightful sense, but rather a corrupt capitalistic system that forces this upon people, as a result there are actual companies built with the sole purpose to create jobs and benefit out of this process.
Secondly, I’m well aware that sometimes profound change and lay off is necesassary :
The plan could be an elimination of jobs where hundreds of employees are laid off “Downsizing” .Then , the fundamental rethinking and radical redesign of Business process to achieve dramatic improvements in: cost,speed,quality, and service “Reengineering” if you will. A profound restructuring throughout most divisions and sectors.
Also , the “Culture Audit” where the executives examine the (VABES): values, attitudes, beliefs and expectations, so as to audit the culture and the quality of work life within. Engagement in “Value-based-hiring” which is a process of identifying the behaviors that exemplify a firm corporate culture and then hiring people who are a fit for them and more aligned with the company’s new strategic direction,vision and values.
After all, “The Only Constant in Life Is Change”!
I must admit though, that this profession doesn’t sit well with me , in fact it repulsed me and there’s a ruthless traumatic element to it.
Also, the film offers key lessons for those who work in customer-facing environments as it illustrates the importance of the customer. Ryan’s colleague wants him to perform layoffs via video conferencing rather than in-person to save money, but Ryan is adamant that this would be completely inappropriate. As firing is such a sensitive issue, video conferencing simply would not meet the need of the customer.
Yet another film about corporate life and grind culture, with four females protagonists at the center!
I must admit this film was never on my radar, however I came across it while searching for films that tackle the subject of workplace for this blog post. It’s the first of its kind that I’ve watched so far ,in terms of the story angle focusing on temporary employees and what they go through at work. In fact, I’m genuinely glad having discovered this film, and dare I say it represents to me the female predecessor to “Office Space”.
The cinematography is so colorful, childlike and eccentric, it reminded me with Wes Anderson’s style and motion pictures for some reason. This singular vision and unique signature is his , depicting trauma and life struggles in the most humours , innocent and vibrant ways. A comic tone that’s induced with sadness. The movie reflects subtly and masterfully the loneliness and isolation in a sea of cubicles and colleagues , a characteristic element of corporate life.
I appreciate a film and a story that highlights four working young women and their day-to-day struggles and adventures at work. The life and tribulations of female temporary office staffers in a big company, and the ever-lasting tension with permanent employees and superiors. The beauty and ugliness of this world and experience. Their perspective on everything and everyone , their reflections and silly conversations, the long wait watching the clock ticking for the workday to end and give them a break from a soul-crushing job and a toxic culture. Also, it’s amazing and empowering to watch the female friendships and bonds they created along the journey, in the face of anxiety and challenges, but also disheartening to witness how these bonds frizzle under stress of management ruthless policies.
A formidable cast led by the wonderful Toni Colette , playing the role of a timid introverted temp. In my opinion, Lisa Kudrow portrays a subdued version of Phoebe , which is very endearing.
Lessons Learned:
The harsh reality of being a corporate temp and also a woman, and what this experience entails. The slavery, the petty humiliations, the boredom and the empty promises of one day making it and becoming a regular. The only way out is to have a clear vision , to not be fearful of quitting your comfort zone in search for a much challenging and rewarding position or opportunity. If someone happens to be undecided ,they become an easy prey for the capitalistic machine. It’s the particular ambition and the entrepreneurial spirit that saves you.
I appreciate the opening sequence in downtown New york , where shots of working women , all busy and stressed , in a very hectic morning, finding their way through traffic and minding their individual business in a sea of people, in a hurry to get to work. Our protagonist J Wiatt is spotted amongst them. The dedicated professional “Tiger Lady” married to her job while being in a cold relationship with her success workaholoc boyfriend.
There’s a lovely turn of events that takes place at the beginning of the film , and turns her world upside-down, threatening her own reality and life as she knows it. The well-thought plans , the job security and the everevolviving career path seem to be hanging by a thread. However, it’s interesting that sometimes the things that scare and frighten us the most, prove to be the most rewarding in many aspects, and have this triple effect that we never saw coming, or maybe it’s just a Hollywood cliché?!
The surprise is the arrival of a baby girl she’s asked to care for after the death of a relative. Can I just say that this adorable creature is the greatest actress ever, she even outshines Diana Keaton !
It’s a light film so comedy does ensue, along with heartwarming moments where JC bonds with the baby and discovers an intimate caring side within herself, that is just now coming to life thanks to this angel. It’s a mediocre feel-good movie, where nothing out of the ordinary stands out. However, I do find it groundbreaking in the sense that it portrays modern-day professional female lives and struggles.
Lesson Learned:
The struggle is real for working moms and wives, it’s truly a high-wire act to keep the balance. The strong independent women suffer mentally, physically and even romantically, and are forced to sacrifice so much to have their own families and achieve their professional ambition at the same time.
Not to mention, the risk of losing a promotion or even their job , because of a newborn and family ?
Women in the workplace should be applauded for their superheroic efforts, words do not suffice off course, HR policies as well as colleagues and superiors of the opposite sex must advocate for women rights not just for equality but also for privilege. Also, sometimes as a woman or anybody really, you have to create your opportunity yourself and awaken the entrepreneurial spirit within, instead of looking passively for jobs that don’t appreciate your value and potential. At the end of the day,some sacrifices have to be made, because quite simple you can’t have it all ,and so to achieve a realistic balance something’s gotta give!
The working woman’s anthem, with the perfect opening sequence to set the mood of the film and immerse you in the story. I’ve heard so many good things about this film, but I’ve never had the chance to watch it. It’s quite clear the influence of this movie on 90s films such as “Clockwatchers” “Babyboom” and “Office Space”, in terms of opening sequence, cinematography and few storylines and recurring themes.
It all begins with the iconic Dolly Parton song “9 to 5”, New York busy streets heaving with dominantly young women heading to work in the morning, evoking the feminine and feminist perspective. The vibe is both dynamic and hectic , which is reflective of corporate life.
The plot of three women lost in translation, not quite capturing the corporate language and politics, feeling isolated in a see of cubicles and male superiors and colleagues , is relatable and progressive for its time (1980).
The harassment, the nuisances of daily grind, the crushing routine.. The sequence where the three female colleagues get stoned and fantasise storylines where they get back at their boss ,is creative and hilarious and a lovely comic relief, each with her own take and angle that speaks to her experience and torment with him. I would say my favorite is Lily Tomlin’s with the Disney playfullness and influence.
In my opinion, Dolly Parton’S performance stands out amongst the cast as sassy and intimate as ever. There’s a plot twist that is suspenseful and entertaining.
Lessons learned:
A female-centruc film about a male-dominated work culture! The content of this 80s movie is surprisingly relevant in 2022. All the sexism and injustic women have to face as well as the power of women working for and with each other and never gainst oneanother.
The film score at the beginning is generic, you get the feeling that you’ve heard it a million times in Hollywood comedies. However, it compliments quite well the light and uplifting tone of the film.
The story is simple yet so heartwarming and touching. Retired widower Ben portrayed by De Niro decides to fill the gaping hole in his life after the loss of his wife and the end of his career, and seizes the opportunity to apply for a “senior intern program” at this start-up in Brooklyn, New york He’s assigned to be the personal intern for Jules “Hathaway”, the boss and founder of the company. The icon is working for the budding star! turns out sometimes art does not imitate life! She’s a young entrepreneur struggling to keep her vision and place at the table, with a stay-at-home husband and daughter who don’t see that much of her. Voilà! the reality of modern and strong independent women.
The exchange and interaction is interesting and colorful, and their performances are solid.
Thanks to Ben’s attitude and charm, he wins over most of his colleagues. Despite, the age gap and the difference in perspective , the boss and the intern create a beautiful bond. There’s this sweet intimate moment where De Niro’s character advises Anne against giving up her company to a new CEO for fear of losing her husband to an extramarital affair. A guilty pleasure of mine has to be films where first and final scenes are connected and cut from the same cloth, I find it poetic and exhilarating for some reason.
Lesson Learned:
The cliché “Age is just a number” as well as film’s tagline “Experience never gets old ” are mantras to live by, all individuals must seek knowledge and continuous progress,there’s no rule set against it or a time limit. The roll-up-your-sleeve attitude and thick skin determine how much you achieve , no matter the context. The truth is there’s always going to be an obstacle and conflict ” age gap, lack of experience etc.”, so you must approach without hesitation or negativity, the silver lining and the reward is a growth mindset.
A screenplay by Aaron Sorkin and a David Fincher intense picture is a recipe for intelligent stunning cinematic experience.
In fact, one thing that is characteristic of Sorkin is the snappy fast-paced dialogue and the back and forth nature of exchanges, also the conversations are usually prolonged. All of the aforementioned elements are evident from the very first scene. In my opinion, Jesse Eisenberg is the perfect casting decision that matches Sorkin’s perspective and vision of the Zuckerberg persona. A socially awkward narcissistic nerd, with a vengeful spirit and a vendetta against his colleagues and community. Obviously, this is an exaggerated fictionalised version and portrayal of Zuckerberg and the story, based on the world the book has created as well as Sorkin’s literary vision.
A film that speaks to this age -Social Media era- and many relevant themes “technology, privacy, human connection, entrepreneurship, influence and power etc.” It recounts the origin story of the Harvard computer programming genius and founder of Facebook, and all the conflict of interest, conspiracy, backstabbing, legal battles, lawsuits aaand drama it took to manifest the innovative miraculous tool we’re familiar with nowadays . As a matter of fact, what started as a hacking revenge / joke turned to be a Harvard exclusive social network, and then morphed into one of the most powerful websites and corporations of our time.
The film score and atmospheric cinematography compliment each other so well and represent the perfect marriage, to the extent that even the most mundane sequence such as the one where we’re simply follwing Zuckerberg runs through campus turns out to be so haunting. The very first and last scenes are connected in a bitter-sweet way. In this fictious version , you can’t help but wonder how fascinating it’s that the Zuckerberg who created a groundbreaking website all about communication and intimacy, fails at it himself in real life , losing a true friend and alienating an ex he can’t seem to get over.
Lesson Learned:
Proper education is the foundation of any professional and financial well-being, however , innovation is the key ingredient and driving force for evolution and an ever-lasting success. College drop-outs such as Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates revolutionaized the world thanks to their vision , innovation entrepreneurial spirit and out-of-the-box thinking. This would always be an asset in the workplace and other walks of life. Also, the world’s youngest billionaire at 20, achieved that by caring less about money and paychecks and more about the hard work and discipline.
The opening sequence and the background song is a match made in heaven! In fact, I love the song and lyrics very much “Suddenly I see” by KT Tunstall. The lyrics evoke so beautifully and poetically the protagonist’s state of mind and journey, the uplifting melody sets the tone and mood of the film. A world of newness, profound change and discovery.
The highly aspirational journalist Andy , portrayed by Hathaway lands a job at a prestigious esteemed runway magazine, only to find herself second assistant to the iconic diabolocal editor in chief Miranda, played by the GOAT Meryl Streep. Her mission soon becomes to survive her ruthless boss, fueled by ambition and a vision that prompts her to adapt and go with the flow. She molds into this reality and fashion world.
I wouldn’t say Meryl’s performance is a favorite of mine, Hathaway’s portrayal is solid. However, the one that stands out the most is Emily Blunt. She’s a scene stealer in this movie and dare I say outshines other scene partners.
Lessons Learned:
They say you gotta start somewhere “paying your dues”!
Not every job is going to be your ideal choice , however it could be a means to an end. The first step towards manifesting your vision and career path of dreams, and who knows you might wind up exactly where you wanted. Experience holds all the keys to progress and success. It’s precisely what the protagonist Andy does, she adopts this new approach and attitude to fit with work culture. Thanks to this metamorphosis she gains essential skills , grows as an individual and a professional and eventually discovers what her next step should be and her ultimate calling!
A haunting jazzy film score sets the tone of the film, which is rather electric and dark, it lures you into its world.
The very first scene is mysterious in a way and the ambiguous dialogue leaves you wondering what the story and plot is all about. An aging frustrated four real estate salespeople in an organization are given an ultimatum by a downtown representative in the form of a contest , either to increase sales volume and get their act together, or prepare to get fired. The prize for the winner is a luxurious car and glengarry premium leads. Obviously, this has consequences and creates tension within the team, and the fact that it’s raining during the entirety of the film intensifies the experience.
The slow pace brings an element of suspense , so the story takes its time to introduce the characters .There is subtlety in revealing characters throughout monologues or exchange of dialogue with another character. It’s rare that a scene involves more than two actors reflecting and feeding off of one another.
Each pair with their storyline and subplot within the grand story, and you get to know their personality and true nature through their discussions and decisions in regards to this new strategy ” conspire, steal, panic .. etc.”. In fact, the movie relies heavily on brutal dialogue and outstanding performances , the other cinematic aspects are dimmed in comparison, it’s no surprise that it’s based on a play. There’s a twist that offers a whodunit storyline that spices up the uneventful plot.
A stellar cast ! It’s almost hard to believe that this outstanding ensemble share the screen ” Al Pacino, Ed Harris,Kevin Spacey, Alan Arkin etc.” Their interpretation is so captivating and they inhabit these characters they play so beautifully , that you’re so hooked and can’t take your eyes off of the screen. The one that touched me the most is Pacino’s, I find it quite charming and theatrical , yet so grounded and intimate.
Lesson Learned:
I would say that as an employee you should always think ahead and strategize, no matter your position, having a clear professional vision. The truth is , each and everyone is replacable, so unless you’re delivering and bringing value , there is never really the slightest guarantee.
Movies , Music & Books Corner ♥ 